NCDC Graduation ceremony held in Lahore

Twenty-seven youngsters were graduated in a colorful ceremony concluding the 5th National Community Development Course NCDC of Caritas Pakistan.

“We never thought graduating classes likes this. There are lot many ways in which one’s life will change after graduation. Based on the path you choose or destination chooses for you,” said Mr. Amjad Gulzar Executive Director Caritas Pakistan in his welcome address.

The event started on June 27 with screening of a documentary on the journey of NCDC that started in 2016. Bishop Benny Travas Chariman Caritas Pakistan and Archbishop Sebastian Shaw the Deputy Chairman later viewed the models designed by the fifth batch comprised of 15 males and 12 females. Caritas Executive Secretaries from different dioceses also joined them in enquiring the graduates about their exhibits.

The fifth NCDC course offered modules on social mobilization, rural development, leadership and conflict management, project designing, management, budgeting, communication, report writing, climate change, community based disaster management, monitoring, evaluation, assountability and learning as well as exposure visit to model projects.

Several students took stage to share their life changing experience with Caritas and appreciated the community development components learned during the one-month course. Archbishop Sebastian urged the students to learn more skills. “Move ahead in your life and always look for better opportunities. Even Christians can be good businessmen,” he said. Bishop Benny also urged for an effective team work to build community and engage youth.

Mr. Naeem Naz diocesan program coordinator of Caritas Pakistan Lahore shared his experience as one of the facilitators of NCDC course. Mr. Aneel Mushtaq Executive Secretary Caritas Pakistan urged all to uplift the poor communities. “Drug addicts, sanitary workers and illiterate people are rampant in our slums. Support your clergy and Church leaders in giving them a new hope,” he said. Later certificates were distributed among the best participants in each module and all graduates.