Trust scales up skills training for delinquents

Programmes manager for Byounic Trust Anita Tiggelaar says young offenders can easily reform and become productive citizens of Malawi if they are trained in various income generating activities while in prison for them to be self-reliant once they are released.

Tiggelaar made the observation on Saturday at Bvumbwe Juvenile Prison in Thyolo during an open day organised by the trust aimed at exhibiting to government officials and other stakeholders the strides her organisation’s rehabilitation programme has made at the institution.

In the past six months, the trust enrolled 13 young offenders in tailoring and sustainable agribusiness and six others who were trained as trainer of trainers in the two vocational skills to build capacity in the young offenders.

“We believe that all children have the right to a good future even if they have made mistakes, they can learn to reform and become productive citizens in Malawi,” she said.

Amos Chikoko, a juvenile trained in tailoring, described the skills as an asset to turn them into pillars of development of the society.

“We are optimistic we will actualise these skills after our sentences to propel the economy of the country,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of the officer in-charge (OC) of the institution, Sub-inspector Emily Suluma commended the trust for the timely initiative, saying it builds the juveniles to be patriotic citizens.

“We hereby sincerely appeal to Malawians to receive these reformed children warmly back into their communities for they are their children and need the communities full support to really get a second chance in life,” she said. n