Germany uplifts teen mothers in Rumphi
Roscher Youth Development Centre in Rumphi is training teen mothers in tailoring to make them self-reliant.
In an interview on Friday, Rumphi Resident Association (RRA) executive director Walita Mkandawire thanked the German Embassy for donating sewing machines for the youth empowerment initiative.
“The training is targeting girls affected by child marriages and teen pregnancy. A girl found pregnant is often forced by parents to quit school and marry the man responsible for the pregnancy. When she returns to her parents after a marriage breakdown, she faces rejection,” said Mkandawire.
Roscher works with village heads to identify needy girls for training.
Among the beneficiaries is Victoria Mhango, 32, form Mdeka Village, Traditional Authority (T/A) Mwankhunikira.
The mother-of-three, who relied on help from her parents since her marriage broke down in 2005, envisages the tailoring skills making her self-reliant.
She has built a two-bedroom house from the proceeds of sewing men and women wear, including school uniforms.
Group village head Mdeka asked Roscher to reach out to more out-of-school girls.
According to the 2015 Malawi Demographic and Health Survey, almost half of girls (47 percent) marry before their 18th birthday while 29 in every adolescents get pregnant every year. n
