World Vision drills children in writing

World Vision Malawi has trained some children in the Southern Region  in basic writing and journalism concepts to build their storytelling skills.

The training took place in Machinga, Chikwawa, Mulanje, Balaka, Phalombe, Zomba and Chiradzulu districts from Tuesday to Friday.

In an interview, World Vision Machinga District sponsorship coordinator Cathy Ngoma said they wanted to train the children to report issues that affect them.

“The children who attended the training will also be able to share impactful stories happening around them,” she said.

A participant Felix Kalamu said the training will improve his writing and reading skills.

“We are steps ahead of our friends who did not undergo the training because we have acquired news gathering and reporting skills,” he said.

A facilitator Memory Kutengule said she was impressed with the childrens’ eagerness to learn.

“I am optimistic that we will get more stories on issues affecting them and their communities at large,” she said.

Kutengule said there was need to encourage the participants to practise what they learned or engage them in refresher trainings in the future.

In Chiradzulu, a facilitator Emily Kaliwo urged the children to expose issues of child marriages, defilement and child labour.

“You are agents of change in your communities. As community journalists, ensure you report on cases of abuse,” she said.

The children were aged between 10 and 17.

In Machinga, about 84 children were trained while in Chiradzulu 75 children were trained.

Additional reporting by AYAMI MKWANDA, Staff Writer