This post is a bit belated but represented an important day in my service: the official handover ceremony between the Millennium Challenge Account – Namibia and COSDEF/COSDEC on 8 October 2014. COSDEC Tukurenu in Rundu was honored to be the host of this event which featured dignitaries from Namibian local, regional and national government as well as diplomats from the United States.
COSDEC stands for the Community Skills Development Centre. Our mandate is to train out-of-school youth and other community members in trades so they can find employment or start their own businesses. COSDEF is our foundation and central office in Swakopmund.
From the MCA-N wesbite:
The MCA Namibia Compact, providing grant funding for public investments in Education, Tourism and Agriculture (livestock and indigenous natural products),was signed on 28 July 2008 between the Republic of Namibia and the US Government, acting through the MCC. An amount of US$304.5 million will be available for development in the target sectors, over and above current Government allocations and assistance from other development partners.
The Goal of Namibia’s MCA Compact is to reduce poverty through economic growth in the Education, Tourism and Agriculture sectors.
Some of our trainees line up to welcome the guests.
A major beneficiary of this donation was COSDEC/CODEF. Many COSDECs around Namibia received brand new centres, including the centre in Rundu. Other centres received additional training facilities, tools and equipment. Since moving to the new facility and receiving equipment, COSDEC Tukurenu has doubled the number of trades offered to eight. It has also allowed us to serve more trainees in our existing courses. As an example, we increased the number of office administration students from 40 to 80.
On the right is COSDEC Tukurenu Centre Manager Clemence Kafuro holding the MCA plaque that is now viewed by all visitors as they enter our administrative building.
All of the centre managers from the various COSDECs around the country attended the ceremony. Other dignitaries attending included COSDEF founder and Chairman Hon. Nahas Angula (He is also the former Prime Minister and Education Minister) and U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires, John Kowalski.
The VIP table and other attendees of the ceremony.
The COSDEC choir performed original music at the ceremony.
Cultural performance group in traditional Kavango dress.
From left, a representative from MCA-N, U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires John Kowalski and U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer Joshua Shusko.
Our Peace Corps Namibia Blog 