USAID/OTI Sri Lanka Success Story March 2006
Re-activating the Tsunami-affected NYSC Training Center in Batticaloa Batticaloa
USAID's Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI) program in Sri Lanka aims to generate greater support for a negotiated peace settlement to end the island nation's longstanding internal conflict. To accomplish this, USAID/OTI supports local groups to implement small-grant activities that: promote inclusive, collaborative priority setting resulting in community improvement projects at the local level; increase understanding of key transition issues; and capitalize on windows of opportunity to mitigate conflict and generate momentum for the peace process.
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| Batticaloa Government Agent and Regional Program Manager USAID/OTI Ampara jointly open the NYSC Training Centre. |
In September 2005, USAID/OTI began supporting the rehabilitation of the tsunami-affected National Youth Service Council's (NYSC) Vocational Training Centre in Puthukudi-ruppu, Batticaloa. Its goal was to reactivate the NYSC training programs that would benefit tsunami-affected youth. OTI's long-term relationship and funding of the Centre kick-started such successful programs as a computer training course. On January 31, 2006, the centre was officially re-opened in front of the 100 students already enrolled, and with the support of government officials.
The December 2004 tsunami left the training centre structurally damaged and destroyed most of the equipment earlier provided by OTI. OTI supported both the rehabilitation of the building and the replacement or repair of equipment necessary to conduct courses in computing, electrical wiring, radio/TV repairs, dressmaking and beauty culture. Its services are desperately needed within the Tamil and Muslim communities, both of which are poorly served with training opportunities for youths.
These courses are helping to improve the skills, technical knowledge, and future job prospects of both male and female Muslim and Tamil youths. As the only Tamil language NYSC Vocational Training Centre in the east, it was critically important that the Centre was fully functional as soon as possible. By doing so, OTI was able to not only strengthen and improve relations between the NYSC and the communities it serves, but also between Tamil-speaking youth from both ethnic groups.
This program provides badly needed vocational training, as well as, hope for the reconstruction of a stable and peaceful Sri Lanka. Furthermore, by offering the potential for economic independence, OTI is providing the trainees not only an opportunity to learn a skill, but also an alternative to disillusionment and the political manipulation this feeds.
For further information, please contact:
In Washington, D.C.: Elizabeth Callender, Program Manager, 202-712-4078, ecallender@usaid.gov
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