‘The skills they teach you at the Knua Juventude Fila-Liman Centre, are things beyond the class room. They are life skills.’ Says André Jacinto Faria, a 27-year-old civil engineering consultant at Yamashita Sekkei, Inc. and Intem Consulting, Inc.

In 2016, André came back to Timor-Leste after finishing his studies in Indonesia. Upon returning, André was unemployed and had a desire develop his individual capacities outside the classroom. André wanted to involve himself in different organisations and take a proactive approach to finding a career. André wanted to avoid becoming idle while waiting for a job, and didn’t want to rely on the government to provide him with a job.

In 2016, André started volunteering at ‘Timorese Youth Initiative for Development’ (TYIFD) and opened the door to many different volunteers, youth groups, international organisations and even business contacts. Among these organisations, was UNDP. André successfully received a 3-month internship with the UNDP, helping support an environmental project focussing on Recycling Promotion Program (RPP) project and socializing the different impacts of cooking with open fire in Timor-Leste. The project advocated for behavioural changes in the community and changing mentalities of Timorese households. It was during his internship that André began to realise the capacity for youth development through volunteerism.

‘In Timor-Leste, when people graduate they don’t usually involve themselves in many activities. They usually become idle and wait for something to come to them. However, when you are involved in a volunteer organisation you learn from others who have more information, knowledge and networking than yourself. This is important for the development of the individual, of the country’.

When his internship with UNDP finished, André still wanted to develop his capacity within his community. André continued volunteering with TYIFD, which led him to the Knua Juventude Fila-Liman Centre (KJFL). André believes that the Knua Centre helps to solve the problems of unemployment for youth in Timor-Leste, providing opportunities for business ideas to be executed.

‘When I became involved with TYIFD I really started to understand the power of community that comes through volunteering. At the Knua Centre, the community provides an opportunity for transformation. Youth are constantly exposed to people who can help to motivate and inspire them.’ He says.

At the Knua Centre, André benefitted from many different training opportunities. Among these, included a ‘Training of Trainer’ course which helped to develop further his entrepreneurship knowledge and management skills. André has been able to apply what he learnt about management skills and techniques which he now uses in his capacity as a civil engineering consultant.

‘Many youths have to get out there, and not just stay home. When you interact with people from a group, you find yourself assimilating to that environment. These people you interact with, they influence you, they guide you and they will shape you.’ He says.

The Knua Centre has provided many opportunities for André to develop soft skills, which will underpin his career in future.  The trainings and events provided at the Knua Centre teach youth a variety of capacity-building techniques beyond just entrepreneurship advice. At Knua, youth can come and use the facilities at any time, to help them get more information and knowledge.

‘I encourage more youth to be involved in more social activities. Come to the Knua Centre and other youth organizations that existed. You need to become more conscious as a youth of your own self and your capacity.’ He says.

André is an example of a youth who has benefitting from the facilities, training and advice provided at the Knua Centre and TYIFD. André is now mapping out his next steps professionally, and, in the meantime, will continue to be a part of the community at the Knua Centre.