Volunteers Supporting Effort in Developing Africa (VOSIEDA) in Zolowee, Nimba County has graduated about 319 men and women in various skill training and adult literacy.

The trainees come mainly from communities affected as a result of ArcelorMittal iron ore operations in those areas.

Referred to as the resettlement, livelihood and sustainability program, the training lasted for 18 months and graduated 20 women in tailoring, 30 women in hair dressing and 15 men in arts and craft.

The program also trained 100 men and women in agriculture production and 154 adults in Literacy and numeracy programs.

An official of VOSIEDA Parkinson Zuweh told reporters Thursday that the project was established to improve the lives of farmers with high concentration in skill training and agriculture production.

Zuweh noted that after residents of the affected communities lost their land and crops as a result of the operations of the mining firm, it was important that they undergo training to make them self-sufficient in other skills.

Zuweh disclosed that VOSIEDA will issue tool kits to the graduates to help them transform knowledge acquired into a source of income.