Martine Sebit is a resident of Nyibira Boma in Hiyala Payam. He is one of the trained youth on auto-mechanic (motorcycle repairs) under the integrated livelihoods and peace building project. He participated in the training on auto-mechanics which was conducted for the target youths in Torit. After graduation they were provided with start-up tools to start their trade. He immediately got inspired and motivated with the skills he acquired in the training and started to mobilize some little resources and started opened small scale workshop in Torit to generate some income to meet his family requirements. He rented a small place for workshop at SSP 150 where he repairs the motorcycles and earns money.
Martine Sebit is now self-reliant. He earns 250 to 300 South Sudanese Pounds per day depending on the availability of customerswho come to his workshopin Lomoliha Market, the local market situated within Torit town where there is market for his services. He has also integrated his business byselling charcoal and fuel as well in front of his workshop. He raised the money for the charcoal business from his workshop earnings from repairing motor bikes. He is now able to support his family which was not easy before getting this opportunity. The income generating activity has changed the livelihood of Martine and he is able to meet his household needs as he stated;
“My life has changed for better since I attended the three months training on auto-mechanics last year organized by GASS with support from Cordaid. I am now able to meet my house hold requirements without the help of my family members as I used to before when I just a peasant farmer in the village. My future plan is to expand the business and open my own place instead of renting as I continue supporting my family. I would like to thank Cordaid and GASS so much for giving us such an important training especially for us youth who are the instrument of conflicts and always dependent on cattle raiding. Such support should be extended to more youth in the community so that conflicts can be reduced due to poverty and idleness ’’.I alsoappeal to GASS and Cordaid to include more time for the training includingfunctional literacy and numeracy training for adults to help us in sustainiability of small scale income generating activities through proper record keepingn ”.
