The urban slum of Flor del Campo is one of the poorest neighborhoods in Tegucigalpa with a population of over 100,000 persons and where many of its youth between ages 19 and 24 continue to face challenges to access the labor market. PAG has begun to train youth in practical and vocational skills to help them become employable or start their own small business to generate employment opportunities, increase income, and keep them from joining violent or criminal groups.
Last year, three pilot workshops in basic cosmetology (women and men hairstyling, manicure and pedicure) were carried out with the participation of 45 youths (ages 13-22). The National Institute of Vocational Training (INFOP) supplied the instructor at no cost while PAG purchased the necessary materials for each workshop. Upon completion of the three-week training, each participant was certified by INFOP to successfully provide the services for which they were trained.
Students practiced on each other while supervised by INFOP's instructor.
Many of our youth are graduating from High school this year but without any practical skills to obtain a job. PAG is beginning to provide short vocational trainings to in making wooden signs with Spanish phrases including Christian sayings, for home decoration which can be sold at tourist places including PAG's businesses in PANACAM Lodge and La Naturaleza. This may not be something they want to do for the rest of their lives, but they are going to learn that each of them has the abilities and perhaps unknown skills that they can use to begin to earn an income at this level. We all started someplace, and this could be the start of a new vocation for some of them! Some could even start their own small business selling wooden signs!
The wood is first sanded.
Students begin to trace the design and words.
Unleashing creativity and the artist within each student!
The finished product. "Never stop fighting for what you want."
A few of the wooden signs already made.
PAG will be supplying the materials, tools, and equipment needed to train these youth, but eventually they will be able to purchase their own materials once they begin selling their wooden signs. The cost to train one student is about $60 which includes materials such as paint, wood, brushes, pencils, markers, sandpaper, etc. and the use of special equipment and machines (jigsaw, drill, sanders, and circular saw). PAG will purchase these tools (worth approximately $500) so students can use them for free while they are trained. In addition, PAG will be investing in a special machine, a Cricut machine (a smart cutting machine to draw, print, and cut letters and designs) also for students to use, which costs approximately $400.
Friends, come on board and help us teach these youth a new fun skill to help them earn money! Your donation can go towards sponsoring a student or to purchase the tools and special equipment needed for this training to be successful.
We can effectively teach new vocational skills that can lead to employment for these graduating scholars, and you can help!
Thank you very much for helping these youth learn a new skill!
Blessings,
Chester Thomas
PAG - Executive Director
