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Rhodell Diamond Kpandyu is the youngest daughter, being the only girl among five siblings in her family. Her parents named her after a diamond as they believed she would shine brightly like one within their household. Originating from a financially disadvantaged background, with her father's meager earnings from selling medicine across rural areas, Kpandyu harbored aspirations for a more prosperous life for herself and her kin.
As a schoolgirl, Kpandyu found solace in the neighborhood garage located in Gardnersville, an area adjacent to Monrovia-the capital city. Her fascination with mechanics was rather unconventional considering its rarity among females, yet it sparked her dreams of pursuing a career within this field.
Upon completing her schooling, she decided to enroll at the Monrovia Vocational Technical College for a course in mechanics. In Liberia, as well as many African countries, vocational trning is recognized as a pathway to secure employment with competitive pay. However, traditional societal norms often dictate that certn activities are suitable only for men and others for women. For instance, in Liberia, 70 of female students enrolled in technical or vocational programs focus on one of the following five professions: tloring, beauty therapy, catering, soap-making, and nursing; whereas males dominate trning in fields such as stonemasonry, driving, carpentry… and mechanics.
Undeterred by these ger biases, Kpandyu yearned to challenge the notion that mechanics is a job unworthy of a woman. Armed with technical knowledge she had acquired at the garage, she was determined to make her mark within this domn.
Unfortunately, in 2014, the Ebola virus outbreak compelled her studies to be disrupted when the government ordered the closure of public schools. Struggling to continue her education, Kpandyu opted to return to Saah Nyumah Garage where she worked as a mechanic, attempting to apply her knowledge practically.
It was during this period that the United Nations Industrial Development Organization UNIDO announced its collaboration with the Government of Japan to strengthen heavy equipment trning facilities and courses offered by the Booker Washington Institute vocational school. This initiative led Kpandyu to successfully pass an admission test for a three-month electro-hydraulics trning course at the Japanese Heavy Equipment Operators School JHEOS, which is part of the Booker Washington Institute, working in tandem with the Ministry of Commerce and Japanese company Komatsu.
Kpandyu's family was unable to provide financial support; however, her resolve remned unshaken. The trning program itself was cost-free, yet she needed funds for accommodation and essential necessities. Despite these challenges, she completed her course as one of the top students in her class and subsequently secured an internship with a large private company named Kanu Equipment.
Her supervisor immediately acknowledged Kpandyu's technical expertise, focus, determination to learn, and ability to deliver. This recognition led Kanu Equipment to offer her a full-time position as a technician-a role that provided her with the means to financially support her family.
Kpandyu’s personal triumph underscores the message for young women seeking professional success: perseverance pays off! Traditionally ger-based attitudes that discourage females from entering specific professions are evolving and being addressed by governments and private sectors. They now recognize that the labor market can be filled by well-qualified, highly trned candidates regardless of their ger.
UNIDO, backed by Japan's Government support and in partnership with Komatsu, continues to uphold JHEOS as a trning institution providing skill-oriented programs for heavy equipment operations and basic mntenance services. Approximately 200 Liberian youth from both gers are enrolled annually on these trning courses.
Education, skills trning, and career advancement unlock opportunities for all young individuals alike, particularly crucial for girls globally who often face societal barriers to decent work and equal pay.
Kpandyu's story and the vocational trning offered by JHEOS in Liberia serve as a testament of UNIDO’s efforts towards achieving Sustnable Development Goals SDGs 5 8:
SDG 5 - Empowerment and equality for all women
SDG 8 - Creation of employment opportunities and decent work for everyone.
When ger parity is achieved, economies expand at an accelerated pace, lifting more people out of poverty.
Everyone should have access to the opportunities that life offers. One such opportunity is secure employment that provides income, sustenance, and fulfillment.
For further information, please visit UNIDO’s Facebook page as well as its news portal for updates on related events, publications, and more platforms showcasing initiatives towards sustnable development goals worldwide.
? 2024 United Nations Industrial Development Organization
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Liberian Girl Pursues Mechanical Career UNIDO and Japan Support Vocational Training Overcoming Societal Barriers in Liberia Electro Hydraulics Training for Women Full Time Tech Role after School Closures Sustainable Development Goals in Action