Graduation certificates presented in Iraq

Graduation certificates presented in Iraq

It was a remarkable day for 100 newly-trained students in Al Zawra secondary school and 10 young women in Al Ansaria secondary school when they received their certificates from Major Cedric Hills (International Emergency Services Coordinator) and Mr. Brian Oxley (team leader – Iraq recovery programme) at a graduation ceremony conducted with the support of the head teachers and staff in Al Amarah, southern Iraq.

In total, 1200 young girls and ladies have successfully completed sewing courses being provided at 10 different centres around this city. The most recent graduation ceremony was an animated affair, with teenage girls speaking of the bright future they feel is theirs now they have graduated from these vocational skills classes.

No longer having to pay to have their dresses and clothes made, these new graduates are delighted to have learned how to make their own. Some of the girls shared that they are now making clothes for their family and even using their new skills to generate income to support their families. "I am hoping to be a seamstress when I finish my secondary school studies,” says Miss Ibtisam, the daughter of the school’s guard. This same young lady recently shed tears of joy when she was presented with a new sewing machine of her own (a gift from one of the local Iraqi staff members employed by The Salvation Army).

At Al-Tahreer secondary school 230 students are learning sewing skills. International team member Captain Simon Andrew (from the India Central Territory) has been visiting and monitoring the vocational programmes during his deployment with the relief programme. During these visits he learned that school students are now able to make dresses to order within 24 hours, and of a quality that rivals clothing purchased in local markets.

The programme not only provides young women with new skills, but has created employment for 20 teachers. In true entrepreneurial manner classes have expanded so that now additional goods are being made in the handicraft lessons that complement the sewing programmes.

The Salvation Army gratefully acknowledges the support of the New Zealand government in provided funding to equip and underwrite this programme. The success of these vocational training centres has proved an excellent model and donations are being sought to facilitate the establishment of more vocational training centres in rural communities.