NIAMEY, 12 September 2008 (IRIN) - For the past two years, 17-year-old Moumoune Ibrahim has come to a UNICEF-funded, government-run Educational, Preventive, and Judicial Services youth centre where he has learned the art of camel bone sculpting. The centre tries to keep at-risk youth off the streets, and out of trouble with the law through vocational training and free lunches.

"I could have learned auto mechanics here, but I wanted to learn camel bone sculpting instead because it is more rare. There are less people who do it, so I can make more money. I just want to be able to make my father get well. I think I could help him with my sculptures.

He is from Balleyara [about 100 kilometres from Niamey in the region of Tillaberi].

I cannot remember exactly the year, but I followed him to his village during a summer vacation when he was sick. I never returned to school. He is still not well.

My four brothers and I contribute to his care. We all have to do our part. I may have to leave this training programme because we cannot really afford the prices here in Niamey. Things have gotten a lot more expensive, so we may go back to the village. We cannot afford to continue living in our home here.

I really like making things from camel bones; I make hair clips, jewellery, and statues. People say my things are nice, that I do a good job. The centre holds exhibitions where we sell our things and share the profits.

I want to continue doing this and would do it all day if I could.

I just want to save my father.

But I need to be with him also.

But I really don't want to leave. I like carving. A lot."

pt/aj

© IRIN. All rights reserved. More humanitarian news and analysis: http://www.IRINnews.org

IRIN news