Shemsu Zinab, 26, is a resident of Yem Woreda, one of the special Woredas in the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ State (SNNPS). Shemsu in his early years was involved in delinquent acts. Found guilty of the charge, he was sent to one of the State’s jails.
Fortunately, during his entire stay at the prison, he has taken lots of lessons which can change his life for the better. As to him, the times were the most decisive periods that have changed his outlooks profoundly-to leave forever his former life behind, stay away from any felonious acts and get a new start.
And after he was freed and reunited with the society, he started to search for a job so as to earn his own earnings and lead decent life within the community. His effort was not unproductive. He got a chance to take training – how to carve stones for pavement roads, streets, and buildings.
Apart from the basic skills he gained from the training, Shemsu along with his friends took additional trainings that were organized by the Youth Empowerment Service Center in the Woreda.
Taking the opportunity, he shared his experiences for trainees in the training session. Giving due emphasis on peer pressure, he clearly reflected the undesirable influence of peer pressure by exemplifying his own experience that led to him to jail.
Upon completion, he organized a small group of youths so as toproduceproduction of bricks and request the local microfinance institute for loan and received a credit of 175,000 Birr from the Youth Revolving Fund, which was allocated by the government to support unemployed youth.
With the support rendered from town’s administration bureau, the group has also acquired a workspace.
Currently, Shemsu and his friends beyond generating their own income have created jobs for other unemployed youths. Taking additional short-term trainings at the local TVET College on hollow blocks production, they have started the production of hollow blocks.
According to him, the strong remorse feeling he had developed while he was in the jail and the determination has helped him a lot to look the positive aspects of life, look forward for his future; figure out his goals and how to achieve them.
“Any negative experience should be left behind as it holds no good. Because at that critical point in time I decided, I am heading for the better and even other youths are inspired by the success I have achieved so far,” he said.
Shemsu also underscores the outcome of hardworking and urges the youths to be energetic and positive thinkers.
The Ethiopian Herald November6, 2019
BY HAILE DEMEKE
