Capturing dreams of youth in my little note book
A phone call had come from the other end of the globe. My Research Partner asked me whether I could assist him in conducting some qualitative research in 3 Provinces of Sri Lanka so that an International NGO could bid successfully with adequate information from the ‘ground’ for an youth employment programme? …Or by the way I was told that I had only 2 weeks to complete the job and submit a report. My answer was a nonchalant “when can they approve the estimate?” – So we got on Skype and spoke with this prospective Client “Give us a this day to give you a proposal” we told them “Give us your Bank account number and SWIFT code” came in the reply. Well it took some time focus-group to prepare the proposal and since the prospective client was 10 hours behind us, we could work on it till late hours of the night and go to sleep.
Whenever the Sandman walks into Avanke` he pulls up a chair and works along with me.
Early next morning we were on Skype again and was told that our proposal;-methodology, costing, timeline etc., was fine and to proceed. We developed the discussion guides for Focus Group Discussions, recruitment questionnaires to enlist youth for FGD’s, in depth interview questionnaires for Employers, for Principals, lecturers and students of Vocational Training Institutes, and also for NGO Representatives, Officials of Ministry of Skills Development and Vocational Training and Ministry of Agriculture.
Couple of days later I was off to the Northern Province of Sri Lanka, to Jaffna – 400 KM from Colombo and then to Trincomalee in the Eastern Province, further 240 KM on the road and a day later to Galle – 110 KM from Colombo.
After 127 interviews and a week filled with sleepless nights where I was working till 3.00 am the job was done. The Sandman was spurring me on ” Stay awake, stay awake and for you can sleep when the work is done”
The work was interesting no doubt much more than the travelling. Speaking to youth about the type of employment they were looking for, capturing their dreams in my little note book and speaking to NGO Representatives, Employers, Government Officials and Principals of Vocational Training Institutes gave us a greater understanding of issues concerning youth employment and skills gaps.
This job was like running a 100 meter race over and over again but the strong wind hitting my face and the adrenaline build up was worth it… especially after the money was credited to my account.
