The Forum for African Educationalists in Malawi (Fawema) on Wednesday delivered protective wear, computers and beddings to 191 needy trainees in seven national technical colleges nationwide.
The non-governmental organisation supports the trainees under a $22 million seven-year initiative funded by the Mastercard Foundation to increase access to higher education for marginalised young men and women in 10 countries.
Speaking when she presented the items to 49 trainees at Soche Technical College in Blantyre, Fawema board chairperson Maggie Madimbo said the Second Chance Pathways project will support 750 learners in public universities and 600 by 2030.
“We are talking about 1 350 young Malawians who are not able to support themselves and 80 percent of them are girls. These tools give them a chance to learn and I challenge all the recipients to put them to good use for maximum benefits,” she said.
The package included 96 laptop computers and 191 sets of work suits, safety boots and beddings.
Other recipients are learning various trades at Nasawa, Mzuzu, Livingstonia, Namitete, Salima and Lilongwe technical colleges.
“We can’t talk about safe learning spaces without ensuring trainees access to personal protection equipment,” Ministry of Labour principal assurance officer Annette Chiweza told the students at Soche.
Over 2 000 young Malawians applied for the skills development support from Mastercard Foundation, but only 200 made it to the first cohort.
Electrical installation and electronics trainee Doreen Jasi, 20, said it’s a big boost because her single mother, a peasant farmer from Chang’ambika in Chikwawa, struggles to provide for her.
“For two terms, I have been going to class without a computer and protective gear. Now I can learn safely, without worrying about essentials that I could only dream of,” she said.
CAPTIONS
Jasi can learn in peace, thanks to Fawema support
Delighted students and officials pose with their new acquisition at Soche Technical College
