Gaining a perspective thanks to vocational training
In Hyderabad, India, young people affected by poverty and HIV can complete vocational training courses thanks to SolidarMed. This way, they become financially independent, can support their families and escape the stigma of poverty and HIV/Aids.
On 12 January, 88 adolescents and young adults received their diplomas in Hyderabad, India. They have all successfully completed a SolidarMed vocational training course and now have good chances of entering the labour market. Generally, around nine out of ten graduates already have a job on the last day of the course or have decided to become self-employed.
Unfortunately, it cannot be taken for granted that young people affected by HIV and poverty in India have a chance of a financially stable future. This is because the stigma surrounding HIV and AIDS is great in India: HIV-positive people are excluded from the family and society, and children are often prevented from attending school when their parents' HIV status becomes known.
Other families take their children out of school early because they can no longer afford to send them to school due to poverty. As a result, the children and young people are at risk of becoming victims of human traffickers. These traffickers lure especially young women from poor backgrounds to the city with the promise of work and a better life and then force them into prostitution.
Escaping poverty
In order to give young people affected by HIV and poverty a perspective, SolidarMed is involved with the local organisation John Foundation in Hyderabad, the fourth largest city in India. The young people attend a vocational training course and are supported in entering the labour market. This makes them financially independent and enables them to support their families.
The courses usually last between 3 and 6 months and are offered in the following areas:
- Tailoring
- Embroidery
- Fashion Design
- Cosmetics/Coiffeur
- English
- Computer Science
- Business Management
- Metalwork
- Electricity
SolidarMed wishes the new graduates all the best for the future!
