For the past two years, 17-year-old Moumoune Ibrahim has come to a UNICEF-funded, government-run Educational, Preventive, and Judicial Services youth centre where he has learned the art of camel bone sculpting. The centre tries to keep at-risk youth off the streets, and out of trouble with the law through vocational training and free lunches.
“I could have learned auto mechanics here, but I wanted to learn camel bone sculpting instead because it is more rare. There are less people who do it, so I can make more money. I just want to be able to make my father get well. I think I could help him with my sculptures.
He is from Balleyara [about 100 kilometres from Niamey in the region of Tillaberi].
I cannot remember exactly the year, but I followed him to his village during a summer vacation when he was sick. I never returned to school. He is still not well.
My four brothers and I contribute to his care. We all have to do our part.
I may have to leave this training programme because we cannot really afford the prices here in Niamey. Things have gotten a lot more expensive, so we may go back to the village. We cannot afford to continue living in our home here.
I really like making things from camel bones; I make hair clips, jewellery, and statues. People say my things are nice, that I do a good job. The centre holds exhibitions where we sell our things and share the profits.
I want to continue doing this and would do it all day if I could.
I just want to save my father.
But I need to be with him also.
But I really don’t want to leave. I like carving. A lot.”
pt/aj
This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions
