Akur Majak Kuol, a 32 year old women and mother of four children attended 3 months Vocational training on Masonry course under quick impact Project from United Nations Mission in South Sudan implemented by TOCh South Sudan as implementing partner in late 2019 to early 2020. Akur joined the training after completion of her secondary school education early 2019 in Kuajok.
Upon the completion of vocational training course in masonry, started practicing her skills by constructing her on pit latrine which later on attracted the neighbors and the entire community in Kuajok, Alek and Gogrial towns in 2021 and 2022 and award her more contracts
In 2023, Akur got contracted for 2 months to construct a 3 rooms building in Aweil and started providing food and other basic need to her family including 3 cows . Immediately after the completion of her first ever hug contract in Aweil, she got a call from another customer in Akon where she got another long term contract
Akur said that she wanted to go to university and study medicine as her career but the responsibility she is doing as bread winner in her family can’t allow her go for further studies when her children are also studying.
“I used to be abused by some women and girls when I joined the masonry course but now I am employing them on casual basis in what they were abusing me for!” said Akur. According to Akur, some women who refused to attend masonry course with a justification are now approaching her and ask her to train them on masonry workshop. Akur added that she is now employing an average of 12 to 20 casual workers mostly women who are paid their daily wages of 25,000 SSP per a day worked
Akur when asked on how she is getting contracts in such a competitive situations with other construction companies but she was quoted saying “ I am unique from other constructors because of the quality and attractive work and I also used to charge my customers at reasonable prices and with well calculated bill of quantities that does not disappoint the my bosses” Akur said. She is always flexible in negotiating with customers using persuasive language in business skills. She added that she that she is now happy not only because of what she is getting but also because she is creating job for young people mostly women and men in such critical economical constrain in the state.
Akur appreciated TOCH for changing her life through vocational skills training meanwhile appealing to humanitarian organizations and UN agencies to provide more training opportunities to women because it reduces gender based violence associated with denial of resources. Akur attested that she gained much respect and trust from the husband as he allows her to go for construction work even outside Warrap State and the husband takes care of children. Her being a role model has made more women to develop interest in vocational trainings after seeing the impacts of that skills gained by Akur
For more Information, Akur can be reached on +211922090015
