By Taban Gabriel
King New Juba- At least 25 former child soldiers and women considered to be survivors of gender-based violence and other “At-risk women” will benefit from a livelihood grant from the Salam Junub Initiative.
With only a grant of $12,000, the project looks forward to strengthening different groups of beneficiaries for three years with business skills and startup capital, according to Bush Buse, the founder of Salam Junub.
most of the recipients of the project were selected from among former child soldiers hawking at Kuburi Habuba market and some women “who are believed to be survivors of gender-based violence.”
“The project is targeting Matiang Anyor young people wondering in the market, some of them pushing willbarrows that are not theirs; this project will empower them with skills, and the skills will help them rebuild their lives,” Buse said.
“These group will undergo a training known as a business clinic which involves three components; that is start up my business, business mentorship and the third component is supported; some small grant will be given to them to start up business,” he added.
The founder of Salam Junub Initiative said his organization will increase the bursaries yearly based on funding growth realized by the project.
“We are starting with 25 members this year and next year, we will have another 25, and in 2027, we will have 25 with the prospect of increasing the number of participants based on resources”.
Buse said some selected recipients will enroll in vocational training to acquire technical and livelihood skills.
“We have started communicating with MTC, Don Bosco, and other vocational training Centers within Juba to absorb those interested in acquiring basic technical skills.”
The Salam Junub’s official call on potential donors to come to the aid of former child soldiers in the country
“So, donors, I know there is a lot of funding coming from outside, and these are the projects that help us realize tangible results rather than putting it in other projects.
The designated beneficiaries who attended the project’s launch were all dressed in white branded T-shirts, expressing jolly impressions on their faces.
“My name is Santino Awach. I am really pleased to have been selected for this training. Currently, I have no job, but once I acquire the training, I believe I will have something to do to help rebuild my life,” he said.
“I own a tea stall here in Gurei and have engaged a lot in Salam Junub’s activities. I am happy to have been selected for the small grant; we as women are suffering a lot with challenges of paying school fees, and this money will booze our business to help our families,” said Aliza John
According to Buse, some of the criteria employed in selecting the project beneficiaries are local chiefs, business council, and members of the Take Tea Together (TTT), also a group formed by Salam Junub Initiative.