Four men and 39 women have successfully completed the 5th session of the ten-week cooking course offered by the Dept. of Youth and Women’s Affairs (DYWA).

Since last year, the DYWA has been offering different courses aimed at teaching skills and trades that women and youth can use as a jump-off point for various career fields.

The classes include cooking, sewing, elei making, hair styling, and flower arranging. The classes are usually offered at different venues across the territory but before this year is over, all classes will be held at the Youth Community Center in Pago Pago, the future centralized location for the DYWA.

 Earlier this week, members of the fifth class of the cooking course were recognized during a brief ceremony attended by family and friends.

In an earlier interview, DYWA Deputy Director Pa’u Roy Ausage explained that the goal of their office is to provide youth and women with opportunities to hone their skills and even learn a new one that they can add to their list of lifetime achievements.

“The classes are geared towards helping the participants learn something that can help them generate income and in turn, help their families,” he said.