200 Small Projects launched in Aleppo

ALEPPO, SEP.14, (ST)- Today, the Armenian Protestant community in Syria held the 4th  session of the project of vocational training courses and supporting small projects, in cooperation with the Ministry of Tourism and the Middle East Council of Churches,

Some 200 young men and women took part in the ceremony that was held in the Yasayan Theater in Aleppo.

The Governor of Aleppo, Hussein Diab, stated in his speech that vocational training constitutes one of the most important components for acquiring the skills and developing the necessary expertise to adapt to the work environment, and it becomes necessary to keep pace with these developments through concerted governmental and civil efforts to provide a suitable climate for capacity building and employing human resources in the labor market, to be a part in the process of economic and social development.

He added: “This initiative, organized by the Armenian Protestant community in Syria, which has become an annual activity, is an important initiative because it targets youth groups that constitute a solid foundation for building the future. It also targetes the most needy social groups from all sectors of society, which embodies the historical truth of our society, which It is characterized by interdependence and solidarity, such as  coexistence.”

For his part, the head of the Armenian Protestant community in Syria, Rev.  Harutyun Sulayman, clarified that the goals of the vocational training courses project are to achieve sustainable development, improve the standard of living of the most vulnerable groups, turn them from consumers to producers within the local market, and contribute to improving the national economy with projects that simulate the market need according to the circumstances and needs.

He indicated that the project, since its inception, has targeted nearly 1,000 young men and women to support them and develop their professional skills.

The project coordinator, Maria Bozé Qalian, referred to the project’s role in contributing to the recovery of the national economy, as it targeted those affected by the earthquake, breadwinners and people with special needs to empower them in 17 professional, productive, and craft specializations, in addition to educating them on the legal side about establishing small projects and practical training in entrepreneurship, in preparation for supporting them with the necessary equipment to start their projects during a later period.

The ceremony included a documentary presentation about the most important stages of project implementation, patriotic songs presented by artist Lucy Ohannessian, and speeches by the trainees in which they talked about the benefits they gained throughout the program implementation period.

B.Q.