March 22, 2023 – WPDI’s unique model of promoting peace through youth engagement and vocational training programs involves developing infrastructure to encourage income-generating activities among young people and women in marginalized, underprivileged communities. Giving individuals basic tools and skills to develop their own livelihoods is crucial to creating lasting peace in areas affected by violence and instability.
For the past four years, WPDI has been running Business Bootcamps for South Sudanese youths in the Equatoria region at our Community Learning Centers in partnership with the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, USADF and the British Council, and the United Nations’ Reconciliation Stabilization Resilience Trust Fund (RSRTF). Participants partake in a 3-month training program focused on business management and entrepreneurship headed by WPDI trainers. At the end of each course, graduates can enter Business Plan Competitions to submit business projects that are examined by our jury composed of WPDI experts and local representatives. Winners in this process gain access to WPDI funding and guidance to help get their business projects off the ground.
In 2022, WPDI conducted over 13 business management and entrepreneurship skills training courses in Lainya, Kajokeji, Morobo and Yei counties of Central Equatoria State, the training attracted 520 including women, men and youth comprising of internally displaced people, returnees and host community. The trainees were able to develop 480 business plans which are currently under review for the potential establishment of 104 businesses in the four counties. The actual business plan competitions will start rolling out in early April through to July 2023, providing candidates with a unique opportunity to pitch their projects in public before the jury and receive precious advice that they can use irrespective of the outcome of the competition. At the end of this final phase of the competition, WPDI will hand out business grants worth $240,000 as start-up capital for new businesses, notably in locations destabilized by the 2016 civil war, giving hope to the people who have lost all their properties to civil war.
Several businesses are already being supported in this framework by WPDI in Central Equatoria State, mainly in Juba, Yei, Lainya, Terekeka, and Liriya counties. The businesses range from retail shops for mixed goods and baby items, brick laying, ICT center, printing services, hotel service and paste grinding. “I am very proud of WPDI for bringing us such a wonderful activity as youth because since I started operating this business, I have realized a lot of changes at my side yet this is the beginning.” said Moriku Stella, owner of the Kaluma Baby shop, a small business benefiting from WPDI support. “I can imagine what will happen when the business grows big. Because as a woman, I used to depend on my husband strictly which was a great challenge but now I can support myself, therefore, I want to say a big thanks to WPDI for creating us jobs. May you continue to give this kind of support to our fellow youth, especially young people,”
In a young country marked by decades of armed conflict and civil war, the opportunity to participate can really be life-changing, not only by helping successful participants direct access to funding and backstopping services but simply also by bringing them hope that their dreams are within reach.. “I would like to sincerely and wholeheartedly testify that ever since I won the competition and started my small retail shop, it has positively and significantly changed my life. I am seeing progress and realizing the importance of being an entrepreneur. I also managed to create job opportunities for others as part of my core commitment to realizing economic growth and development. My most desirable, honest, respectful, and heartfelt gratitude and thanks to Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative and partners for their unwavering support to me. Thank you because you made me realize my dreams. I will do my best to expand this business in order to benefit our wider community and avail job opportunities mostly to young women and men of this beloved country. I once again wanted to say, thank you!” said Emmanuel Gore, owner of a local convenience store.
WPDI remains steadfast in our commitment to developing economic opportunities for local communities with so much potential, but lacking in basic training and infrastructure. The development of economic stability is at the heart of our global quest for lasting peace. WPDI supports over 400 businesses globally in the framework of this initiative and hopes to extend our reach to 104 businesses in Central Equatoria State in 2023.
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