By: Hafsatu Z Bangura
The Useful Hands Training centre in partnership with Life by Design on Saturday 28th July 2022 organized its graduation ceremony for fifty-seven (57) students from various departments at the National Pentecostal Church Cassell farm Kissy in Freetown.
Mr Moses Karankay who served as chairman for the ceremony congratulated grandaunts for completing two years of acquiring skills and thanked the Academic staff for giving them the opportunity.
He continued that the event is not only based on celebrating people for their hard work but described it as an award for merit this he said they worked hard for it and made a lot of sacrifices for it.
He encouraged the graduands to showcase their acquired skills in society and contribute to the development of the country as he said it is the responsibility of the graduands to make a positive impact in society, noting that is not only about university.
Chairman of the board of governors for the Life by Design Useful Hands Training centre Bishop Benjamin Bangura congratulated graduands and said the purpose of the Useful hand’s vocational institute is established to close the gap between the educated and illiterate Society.
Another reason he cited also was that the economy of late is depleted and one way that they as an institution can help in supporting education is by providing skills training.
He continued that just after the war in 2001 the training school was established and that the purpose of which it was established is to address the basic needs of young folks from which they suffer from like lack of employment and that the institution for over 22 years has been supportive of national development.
He went on that the grants received from the Skills Development Fund (SDF) a fund he said was provided by the Government through the United Nations under the auspices of the Life by Design and the Useful Hands Training center were fortunate to win through it.
He furthermore said activities have been put in place for these students after their graduation in helping them to secure jobs and establishment on their own.
Mr. Benjamin Bangura thanked the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education and its partners for securing grants for the sustenance of skill acquisition for youths.
Mr. Alhaji Araon Kamara the Acting Principal at Useful Hands Training Center said the Institution was established in 1999 and started from a church activity and has been catering for not only youths of the church but Adults as well and served its purpose to the public.
He continued that Fifty Seven Students benefited from the Skills Development Fund (SDF) that he said was given by the World Bank through the Government of Sierra Leone and that their institution was a part of these grants that were given out to various Institutions.
Mr. Alhaji A Kamara said the Institution has over the years trained a total of 3,000 students in different courses like hairdressing, tailoring, Hospitality Management, Gara Tye Dye designs and more.
He said the Institution offers three main courses which are Hospitality Management, Catering and Tailoring and those other courses like Entrepreneurship, Mass Communication and Christian Education are soft courses that are to be introduced.
Mr. Satti Kargbo Representative from the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education thanked graduands and acknowledge the patience of the tutors who he said selflessly have helped shaped the minds of these youths.
Isata Bundor a student at the Useful Hands Training Center in an exclusive interview shared her excitement for such opportunities.
She described the platform as a life-changing platform and encouraged others, especially women to be a part of this journey, she said she first joined the Institution and learned catering and again joined in acquiring the tailoring skills needed and with that she said she has a business of which she now has employees working under her and training them also. Useful Hands Training Center is an institution that caters for all ages offering courses in catering,
