AN official with Transformation Development Agency (TDA), an international NGO, has said that the underprivileged in local communities, especially the youth, need life changing skills to alleviate poverty.

Melissa Herrmann, who oversees TDA’s poverty alleviation projects in Rulindo District, said that some youth at times get resources to sustain themselves but end up misusing them because of lack of skills.

"Some are hit by poverty just because they cannot put to better use even the little they get or having no business plan. What they need is training and education,” Herrmann said yesterday.

She said that her NGO plans to donate chicks to over 282 child headed families after undergoing training in various income generating skills.

According to Herrmann, the child headed families have benefited from micro-enterprise and business planning training, life skills courses, HIV/AIDS and health education, as well as counselling and rehabilitation programmes.

Over 50% have been trained in jewelry making, agricultural and animal husbandry, traditional art, sewing, and photography, she said.

Abadatana Association, one of the beneficiaries of the organisation recently emerged the best exhibitor in a just concluded mini-expo in the Northern Province.

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