Olga's project

YCTC (Youth Community Training Center) is an independent training school under Livingstone Diocese where vocational training in carpentry, tailoring, plumbing, catering, bricklaying, knitting etc… is offered to orphans or vulnerable youth coming from the poor compounds of Livingstone. The YCTC was born in 1999 from the common effort of the Livingstone Diocese (who saw a lack of support for the youth in the community) and CeLIM, an Italian NGOs running development projects in Zambia (and in many other countries!) since 1960. At the beginning training was offered in different parishes of Livingstone but then, the increasing number of beneficiaries, as well as of orphans in need, required the building up of a proper training centre. In 2000, the construction of YCTC started on a plot donated by Livingstone Diocese, thanks to the funds collected by CeLIM. It’s the 2003 when the building is definitely completed and delivered to the community under the supervision of Sister Josephine and Giovanni (CeLIM volunteer). The YCTC welcomes about 250 youth from 15 up to 26 years old, coming from different backgrounds; the only requirements include: to be in a difficult situation at home, to have definitely dropped out of school, and to be committed for the all duration of the course. The YCTC training programs are recognised by the "Technical Education and Vocational Entrepreneurship Authority" (TEVETA) and lead to Trade Test examinations under the Examination Council of Zambia. See below the kinds of training provided:
• 2 years programs in Plumbing • 1 years program in Catering, Carpentry and Tailoring • 6 months program in Bricklaying • 3 months short courses in Computer All our courses include English and Math as well as Human Development subjects (where sensitive issues like HIV/AIDS prevention, health, alcohol and drugs effects, interpersonal relationships are discussed) and Business entrepreneurship in order to offer a complete background to all our students and facilitate their transition to work. Students are also assisted by our staff to get an internship in one commercial activity of Livingstone. Statistics show that about 80 per cent of YCTC graduates have found a permanent job. At YCTC, every afternoon recreational activities are offered to youth and children. Children in particular are supervised by qualified educators. YCTC is actually one of the few places, if not the only one, in Livingstone where youth can come together, socialize in a peaceful environment, and be helped in a variety of ways, including counseling and short skill courses. They can also consult the books at our library. YCTC also organizes big sport tournaments (basket, football, netball) involving many other schools as well as events to share views on many issues related to human development. YCTC invites periodically relevant people from the community such as nurses and other NGOs involved in counseling and HIV testing. YCTC is committed to achieve financial sustainability. In order to cover the costs of the school and allow the greatest number of youth in need to access free training, some production units have been established. At the moment there are six: • Olga’s guest house and restaurant • Carpentry (you can actually buy our wood or metal furniture at Olga’s showroom) • Tailoring (bags and other items for children and home are exposed at Olga’s showroom) • Chicken Run (all chickens and eggs served at Olga’s are coming from here!) • Metal workshop • Hall for rental The YCTC is already a very well established productive reality of Livingstone, well known for the quality of its products and its staff efficiency. This is the story of a project that instead of giving a fish, teaches how to fish.

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