National News

Project to change adolescents’ lives

Plan International Malawi has provided start-up materials to 40 adolescents from Traditional Authority (T/A) Njewa in Lilongwe to set up enterprises.

Plan gave out the materials on Thursday during graduation of the youth who underwent vocational skills training under the Yes I Do project.

One of the beneficiaries, Stanley Mwase, said the support will transform the lives of adolescents.

“The skills acquired here will help us start small-scale businesses,” he said.

The water tank on Mbuzi Hill

Yes I Do project manager Joseph Mayere said the training and start-up materials are alternatives to unemployment among the youth.

“This is your chance to change your lives. Don’t go out there and sell the things. Open enterprises and create jobs for other youths,” he said.

He said apart from training and empowering the adolescents economically, the project is also fighting against child marriages.

 “We came here in 2016 and we have ended 162 child marriages in T/A Njewa and facilitated over 1 000 readmission of adolescents into schools,” said Mayere.

Technical, Entrepreneurial and Vocational, Education and Training Authority (Teveta) manager (Centre) Conceptor Kachoka encouraged the beneficiaries to think about entrepreneurship and utilise the opportunity.

He said: “In the current economic environment, people need skills to be self-reliant. Vocational skills are critical in this regard.

“You are among the lucky adolescents in the country and it us up to you to make it.”

The group comprised 18 girls and 22 boys who graduated in tailoring, welding and fabrication, carpentry, bricklaying and hairdressing. The project seeks to create economic and livelihood opportunities for adolescents in T/A Njewa in Lilongwe and T/A Liwonde in Machinga through technical skills development and provision of start-up materials.

Related Articles

Back to top button