When Daniel talks about carpentry, he does so with immense passion. He worked hard to master carpentry at a CAFOD-funded training programme, so he can support his family.
This Harvest, you can help young people like Daniel to learn new skills and fulfil their God-given potential.
Daniel making items in the carpentry workshop
Daniel is carving his way to a better future
“We learnt to make cabinets, tables and chairs. I loved everything they taught us. If God helps and this work expands, I can do greater things.” - Daniel
Daniel is hard-working, resilient, and full of empathy. He really cares for the people around him and is determined to help his family.
Daniel who lives in Goma, in the Democratic Republic of Congo grew up with real poverty. Daniel's family didn't always have enough to eat, despite both of his parents working. There was no money to send him to school. As soon as he was old enough, he started looking for work so he could support his family to get food on the table. But without an education his opportunities for work were even more limited.
“We grew up in a life that is not easy. It was a life of struggling all the time”
Thankfully, he encountered a group of young men putting on dusty overalls outside a workshop. They told him they were learning carpentry at a CAFOD-funded training centre. He joined the carpentry training programme and with the help of our local experts, he worked diligently for eight months to train as a carpenter.
Daniel is a young person full of hope who got an opportunity that is not given to many other young people in his situation, he got the chance to learn carpentry. He now has his own workshop. He’s not only crafting beautiful doors, chairs and cabinets for happy customers, he’s also carving a better future for himself and his family.
With your support, many young people will also have the opportunity to learn new skills.
“The benefit of the vocational training is tremendous. The opportunity at first to learn something that will stay with them. That is the first thing, they're able to learn some life skill, that they will take with them throughout their lives. And through that, they will be able to train others, just like Daniel.”