Shaqodoon in Puntland - 1st August 2010
In August
2010 five local and international training partners including Puntland Institute
for Development Administration and Management (PIDAM), Daljir and Kaalo Relief &
Development, CARE and Gothenburg
Initiative (GI) have formally joined Shaqodoon as training partners to recruited,
train, counsel and place 940 trainees in Garowe, Bossaso and Galkayo.
On 11th
July more than 250 youth from Galkayo took part in Gothenburg Initiative (GI) written and oral
entrance examination for a place in the Shaqodoon TAP program. Among the guest
and exam invigilators were Saido Gelle, Member of Puntland Parliament,
representative from Ministry of Education also attended the event. GI will be
training youth five different including programs among include Cooling System
Studies; Computer and Electronics, Design and Constructions as well as in
Electricity.
SIITCO TRAINEES GRADUATE FROM SHAQODOON/SYLP PROGRAM BURCO, SOMALILAND - 24th May 2010
On Monday 24th May graduation
ceremony was held by SIITCO College for the Shaqodoon trainees who 
have
finalized their programs. Among the attendees included Education Commissioner Abdi
Ahmed who spoke about the importance of the project and thanked the American
people for their and Marketing Director of Telesom Farah Jama Gulled who spoke
of need for youth with gain broader educational background and gain a competitive
skills to compete for the little jobs that are available in the country. 
SYLP/SHAQODOON LAUNCH IN GAROOWE, PUNTLAND.
The Somalia Youth Livelihood Project (SYLP), also known locally as Shaqodoon (Somali for “jobseekers”) was officially Launched in Garoowe on January 19, 2010 at Puntland Resource library. The USAID funded program with a goal to provide youth in Puntland with a greater opportunity to access work, training, internship and self-employment opportunities. Its capacity building work will build on the efforts of local providers while introducing technical innovations using cell phone and the internet to link opportunity providers and seekers.
The participators included Puntland authorities, potential Partners, Business Community, International agencies and the EDC team. Puntland Government was represented by the Vice Minister of Eduction Hon Ahmed Gobe, the Examination Board Director Mr Ahmed Zahid, and the Director for Youth Dr. Hufane. Representatives from the Ministry of Planning, Ministry of Women and Family Affairs of the Puntland authorities were also in attendance.
The master of Ceremony Mohamed A. Khalif, Regional coordinator for shaqodoon program in Puntland, thanked all the participants for showing support and attending the launch. He then welcomed the Vice Minister of Education to officially launch the project in Puntland.
In his opening remarks Deputy Minister of Education said that on behalf of the Puntland authorities
He wanted to thank EDC and the USAID for funding this project. The Minister reiterated that the ‘government and the business community had to play their role to facilitate the EDC and their Partners efforts so as to reach as many youth as possible in this program’. The minister added in his speech that “Despite the fact that various schemes for youth employment have been launched in the country ranging from apprenticeships and subsided internships to incentives for the training the youth, they have not always reached the expected results. An inability to find employment creates a sense of vulnerability, hopelessness and idleness among young people can heighten the attraction of engaging in illegal activities and can contribute to the instability of the region”. The minister mentioned that the problem of youth unemployment in the region must not only be talked about but we need to tackle this by pulling together and through favorable policy prescriptions and programme interventions. He promised that MOE will work with EDC and provide a favorable environment for Shaqodoon to reach the intended beneficiaries.
Abdi Hashi, SYLP Project Director in his speech thanked all those present and in particular the Puntland Authorities for the support provided in facilitating the launch. Abdi, then described the core structure of the program design including the project goal and objectives. He outlined the various complimentary roles to be played by government, partners, organizations and the private business community for the program success.
Subject: Launch of Shaqodoon in Burco and Lasanood
Date: 6/7 September 2009
On 6th and 7th August 2009 Shaqodoon team from Hargeisa travelled to Burco and Lasanod to offcially launch SYLP/Shaqodoon program to the local community. The team was led by the program director Mr. Abdi Hashi along with the ICT Manager, Finance Manager, Opportunity Placement Director, and the acting Youth Training and Development Director, and IT Intern.
Shaqodoon program was launched in Burco on Sunday 6th September and in Lasanod on Tuesday 8th September. The launch was the private business community, Local and International NGO's, Government Departments, and Shaqodoon training partners based in Burco and Lasanod.
Secondly, Abdirizak Ahmed Warsame the chairperson of business organizations in
Lasanod warmly welcomed the Shaqodoon program and assured that the business organization will support this program as much as they could. He suggested government officials to take a leading role in giving opportunities for the youth who have marketable skills.
During the launch period Ahmed Mohamoud warsame representative of SRCS in
Lasanod, has also welcomed the program and demonstrated that he has great
experience in youth sector specially volunteer programs and pursued all the
employers to stand for and support youth programs since youth are the largest
proportion and the most important of the community.
Burco regional education officer Mr. Abdi Ahmed Saed spoke about the great value and need for this program which he said is unique and maintains real need on the ground. He concluded that ministry of education is willing to support this program to succeed and he urged private business sector local and international NGO’s to support youth in Somaliland through this program.
The governor of Sool region Ali Mohamoud Ahmed inally closed the launch event and underlined the importance of this program. The governor also thanked EDC as well as shaqodoon team for their tireless effort and endeavour to assist youth in Lasanod and promised to work with this program.
Subject: Sudden death of great colleague Khalif Kahiye Samaan Date: 6th, August, 2009
Khalif has been an EDC employee from April 2006 to July 23rd 2009; He joined as script writer but was promoted as Formative Evaluation Officer after few months.
Khalif has been working as FE officer since September, 2008. In October, 2008 Khalif became as member of the partnership development team whereas he acted as key team member.
During his employment Mr. Khalif conducted himself professionally. He was able to prioritize and plan his tasks; He strictly used to adhere to the EDC policies and procedures and was always punctual and ready for work. He often used to work long hours and has shown dedicated to assist other staff.
Mr. Khalif was a pleasant person and easy to work with. He was honest, reliable and very hardworking.
It was great sorrow that Khalif died suddenly on Thursday night 23rd July 2009 of a heart attack at his home and was buried early in the morning Friday.
Mr. Khalif left behind a new wife, his family members, many friends and EDC colleagues.
His absence will be felt by all EDC team; particularly the partnership team will miss his energetic and talented personality.
“May Allah bless him in here after and may his soul rest in peace”
Inaalilaahi wa inaa ilayhi raajicuun.
Launch of Shaqodoon SMS Job Match system with Telesom
Tuesday, 23 June, 2009 SYLP/Shaqodoon In partnership with Telesom launched Shaqodoon SMS Job match system at Hotel Mansoor.
Ministries, dignitaries and representatives from other government institutions, International NGOs Local NGOs and Private Business owners were invited to the launch of this system, among them were, the education state minister, minister of health and labor, the labor director and the chairman of the civil service commission, Abdulwahab Mah (Marketing Manager), and Isaac Mohamed (Sales and Marketing Manager) from Telesom also attended the launch.
The press, TV”S Radios and websites were present at the launch. Horn cable TV Somaliland national TV, Radio Hargeisa, Somaliland Democracy watch organisation (SDWO) website and the local newspapers were among the invited press.
The launch was opened by SYLP/Shaqodoon director, Abdi Hashi who welcomed and thanked the ministers, and the other attendees. Abdi explained to the guest what SYLP/Shaqodoon project is, and the aim of the program.
Mustafa who is Shaqodoon ICT manager explained and demonstrated Shaqodoon SMS System to the attendees.
Somaliland education state minister Mr. Mohamud Garaad was the main guest speaker, he welcomed and appreciated this idea and pointed out that it will help both the youth and the business. He asked businesses to use this system and post vacant positions to help youth access to get the opportunity through technology. Two representatives from Telesom Company also talked about the role of Telesom in Shaqodoon program, and also how it will facilitate both the employers and jobseekers match by providing the gateway for the SMS System.
The Ministry of labor Mr. Abdi Haybe was among the dignitaries, acknowledged that the project and the system was seriously needed by youth as well as the employers. He promised that his ministry will do every thing to promote this system and Shaqodoon project.
Prof. Najib, President of Hope Medical and Technology University on behalf of all other training partners and education institutions mentioned that skills needed by employers must be targeted first to respond any demand from the market driven employability skills and help youth getting out of the unemployment world by equipping youth with the needed skills.
Abdurrahman Ismail Adami, the chairman of civil service commission closed the launch. He pointed out that this project and the job match system will help Somaliland community and civil service commission as well. We are welcoming and encouraging business to use the system.
Prof. Najib encouraged business play an important role in the society and encouraged them to provide jobs opportunities to eliminate Somaliland youth running away from their country or becoming member’s of unwanted groups. Prof. Najib also mentioned that not only government’s agencies provide jobs, but also private sector business are the largest employers and should play an important role in this important initiative.