------------------------------------------------------- CONVENTION OF THE GOAN DIASPORA FROM GOA INTO THE WORLD Lisbon, Portugal June 15-17, 2007 Details at: http://www.goacom.org/casa-de-goa/noticias.html -------------------------------------------------------
Bringing Light In The Life Of Rural Youth By SAR NEWS MANGALORE, Karnataka (SAR NEWS) -- The smile and happiness on the face of the beneficiaries of Rural Self-Employment Programme (Rusemp) who had gathered at the Canara Organisation for Peace and Development (CODP) May 15, reflected the success of the plan started by Father Edwin Pinto 25 years ago. Rusemp is Mangalore diocese's non-formal technical school run under the guidance of Bishop Aloysius D'Souza of Mangalore. With the principle -- it is not enough to give the hungry some fish to eat, but it is important to teach them to catch fish that will support them for life -- Father Pinto, a Coady (Canada) trainee in social development, then the director of CODP, initiated his idea of training the rural youth in self-employment by giving them training for six months in vocational crafts. German aid agency Andheri Hilfe came forward to help implement this programme. Another objective was to make these youths agents of change in their own localities. Most of these youths are school dropouts, those unable to pursue college education because of poverty. The six months course includes one-month training in management and life skills and five months of trade skills. On a piece of land (3.75 acres) donated by the then parish priest, Father Stanley Pereira), the plan was started with the first batch of 36 youths. The idea was to train these youngsters in various trades so that they may start their own small-scale industrial units, get jobs in other industrial units and thus help their families. It was also a means of stopping the rural youth from migrating to the cities in search of jobs. The trades in which the training are imparted include welding, motor winding, aluminium fabrication, carpentry, tailoring, two-wheeler repair, electrical mechanics, commercial painting, etc. Training opportunity is given in as many as 43 trades. At present, welding and tailoring training is given on the campus and for the rest placement is arranged with private entrepreneurs. The fact that distinguishes Rusemp from other such institutes is the management and skills that are imparted to the students. Besides technical training, entrepreneurship, banking facilities, customer care, accounts, banking transactions, leadership, communication skills, building up self-confidence, motivation for service are some of topics that are dealt with along with skills training. The idea of training the rural youth for self-employment was welcomed by the governmental and other organisations like District Industrial Centre, Small Industries Service Institute, District Rural Development Society. The trainees are provided hostel and other facilities so that they may take up the courses seriously. Along with training they are also given guidance in personality development, leadership, community life, human values, ethics and rural development. Rusemp, started in January 1982, has so far trained 43 batches of youngsters. Among the 2,101 youths trained so far, 931 (44%) are self- employed, 678 (33%) are employed and 253 have gone for higher studies. For the benefit of those rural youth who are unable to come to Pakshikere, Rusemp conducts extension programmes at various villages centres and it has trained as many as 120 youths in various trades. Two programmes were held exclusively for women and one programme for women being prepared at Balepuni, a rural centre, besides regular batches at Pakshikere. Rusemp has a well-equipped office, hostel, playground, workshop, a mini hall, canteen and tailoring class on its campus at Pakshikere. The field officers do the follow-up even after the training is over, offering services like helping avail of bank loans, guidance to select self-employment trades and so on. In 1999 Rusemp started a new computer school under the leadership of Father Basil Vas, the then Parish Priest of Pakshikere, to give computer education to the local youth. Father Oswald Monteiro, the present director in charge of Rusemp, speaking about the future plans of Rusemp, said a community college and more extension programmes were being planned as part of the silver jubilee celebrations, which would conclude in December. ------------------------------------------------------- Goanet recommends, and is proud to be associated with, 'Domnic's Goa' - A nostalgic romp through a bygone era. This book is the perfect gift for any Goan, or anyone wanting to understand Goa. Distributed locally by Broadway, near Caculo Island, Panjim & internationally by OtherIndiaBookStore.Com. For trade enquiries contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] -------------------------------------------------------
