The Underprivileged Vocation Assistance (UVA) project is an empowerment project that supports PICAM’s Development and Humanitarian Assistance programs. This project focuses on capacity building among youths in the vocational section of the society. It supports youths from poor and underprivileged backgrounds between the ages of 15 and 25 years who want to learn a trade. Beneficiaries of this project must show a commitment to making a meaningful change in their lives by learning a skill that can help them earn an honest living in society. They must also show that they would be unable to learn such a trade without the help of the UVA, or do so under extremely difficult circumstances.

This project will provide assistance to qualified participants in the form of apprentice (trainee) fees paid directly to the institution or training center where the training will take place. Trades that may qualify for UVA include but are not limited to electricity, auto mechanic, plumbing, tailoring, hair styling, shoe repairs, etc. An individual’s benefit under the UVA may not exceed 25000 frs CFA (about $50) per year, and no one may benefit from this project for more than two years. PICAM recognizes that in most cases, this contribution may not cover the entire cost of training.

This project does not commit PICAM in any way to a contract to provide continuous assistance to any particular individual for two continuous years. While an individual may benefit for as many as two years of support from this project, each year will be considered separately for eligibility and a determination made based on a needs review conducted by PICAM for that year.

To ensure that the most needy and deserving individual’s actually have access to our resources, PICAM will work in partnership with orphanages, local organizations, community initiative groups, and village development organizations that work with youths and are involved in the field of humanitarian assistance and development. This project targets the poor, school drop-outs, disabled, orphans, homeless and street children by providing them an opportunity for personal growth and a fair chance to make a positive impact in society.

You can apply for assistance under our Underprivileged Vocation Assistance (UVA) project by clicking on this Project Application Form. If you work with underprivileged populations including individuals between the ages of 15 and 25, and would like to be contacted by PICAM regarding the Underprivileged Vocation Assistance project, please complete our Get Involved Form and someone will contact you as soon as possible.

To make a donation to our Underprivileged Vocation Assistance project, please visit our Donation Page to donate online or by mail. If you want to be contacted to discuss your donation option with PICAM, complete our online Project Support Form and someone will contact you shortly.