In the efforts to bring sustainable peace and create friendly environment for peaceful communities in Greater Tonj, TOCH with generous support from CAFOD & Trociare in Partnership (CTP) implemented peacebuilding project aimed at addressing violent conflict in Tonj North County. The project was planned to address root causes of violent conflict, provide space for non-violent means of conflict resolutions and transfer critical conflict management skills to the community through peace committees and other community-based conflict management structures. As part of creating alternative livelihoods and income generating activities meant to discourage negative coping mechanisms, TOCH identified 70 participants (women and youths) to undergo skills training in TOCH center in Warrap town, Tonj North County. The training covered skills in tailoring, masonry and bakery. It is expected that these skills will help trainees to work and earn income and improve their livelihoods and thereby stopping them from violence. In addition to skill training, the trainees underwent orientation on conflict management and labour market dynamics including expected compliances why operation in the markets. The training ran from 1 January to 31 March 2022. These trainees completed their courses and were graduated on 23 April in an official function attended by representatives from different government departments as well as other NGOs working on resilience building in the area. 

Speaking at the graduation, a representative of women who received masonry training appreciated the opportunity and challenged her fellow women to perform duties even those that are reserve for men. “I want to be involved in construction work because I don’t see the reason why women fear construction and consider it as a role of men” – Akur Madau Aru, a recipient of masonry training.

The graduates received start-up cash and materials to start their businesses.