DATE:July 21, 2009TIME:0845 - 1100 hrs VENUE: Kakrola, South-West Delhi
The participants visited the training center in Kakrola, an urban resettlement area in Delhi. The center was started in June 2007 and has already trained approximately 650 students approximately 80 of the students have been placed in call centers, shopping malls, financial institutions, and other new-economy jobs. The current group of 98 students began on July 1, 2009. Most of the students in the center come from the nearby slums and resettlement colonies and are school drop-outs. Student profiles, portfolios, and placement records were made available at the center. Both current students and alumni who have completed the training and are currently employed interacted with Mr. Blake and the team.. Several students talked about how the program improved their lives and employment prospects. Mr. Robert Blake addressed the students and emphasized on the need of quality training programs like Ek Mouka, he congratulated the Alumni and encouraged them to continue education as he believed that life can change only through education. He said, USAID is privileged to be a part of this very exciting CAP Foundation initiative, which is linking learning and livelihood. This has the possibility of revolutionizing the way vulnerable children and youth with few employment prospects are mainstreamed into society and we are very proud of it. USAID will continue to work with the government, non-governmental organizations, and private sector partners to support interventions, such as Ek Mouka, that create opportunities for vulnerable youth.