A 17-year-old entrepreneur in Torit, Eastern Equatoria State, is training local youth in basic computer and creative arts skills through her small printing business, which she says aims to promote self-reliance among young people.
Blessing Peter, the chief executive officer of Good Morning Printing Press, offers free training to young people in design and printing, including production of T-shirts, mugs and framed photographs.
She said the initiative is intended to help youth acquire practical skills for income generation amid economic challenges.
“We are actively empowering youth in Eastern Equatoria to operate modern printing machines and master important skills. Our lessons are ongoing and free because knowledge should be accessible to everyone,” she said.
Blessing said training duration depends on prior computer knowledge, noting that complete beginners may take about a month to learn basic design and printing operations.
She said she established the business to reduce reliance on printing services in Juba and create local opportunities in Torit.
“I wanted the ability to print shirts locally rather than relying on Juba, which is inefficient and time-consuming. My mother believed in my vision and sponsored this initiative,” she said.
She added that the centre uses computers for design work, printers for production and heat machines for transferring designs onto materials such as T-shirts and cups.
Blessing also encouraged young people to avoid crime and focus on skills development.
“To the youth of South Sudan, don’t waste your time in harmful activities. It’s not too late to transform your life. Come to us; we offer free training,” she said.
Participants in the programme said the training was useful and had improved their understanding of computer skills.
David Henry, 18, said the programme had helped him realise that computer work was easier than he had expected.
Okumu Dicson Paul, a 19-year-old secondary school student, said youth should support themselves rather than depend entirely on parents.
Alex Odong Samwel, also a student, said the training would support his ambition to pursue computer engineering and had introduced him to software such as Microsoft Publisher and PowerPoint.
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