About 100 youths from Mzimba District have graduated under the Green Jobs for Adolescents and Youth Project as part of youth empowerment efforts in rural areas.
The project, implemented by a consortium of organisations, including Save the Children Malawi, Emerge Livelihoods, Mzuzu University (Mzuni), Adventist Development and Relief Agency (Adra) and Creative Centre for Community Mobilisation (Crecom), also offered mentorship on business management.
Speaking on Thursday during graduation in Mzimba, Mzuni renewable energies coordinator Maxon Chitawo said the youth underwent training in three categories, namely ecotourism, renewable energy and sustainable agriculture.
He said: “We enrolled 100 youths in Mzimba to acquire practical and market-driven skills aimed at improving their livelihoods in renewable energy, bakery, tailoring, tour guiding and sustainable agriculture.
“We are confident that these young people will return to their communities and put their skills into action because we have equipped them with marketable and environmental friendly skills.”
Chitawo said the graduates will receive startup capital in the form of equipment through Save the Children Malawi to help them launch their own businesses.
M’mbelwa District Council senior economist Steven Munthali commended the initiative, saying it will help reduce unemployment rate in Mzimba District.
“We believe the youth will create employment opportunities for others in their communities. We commend the partners for targeting the youth who were idle,” he said.
One of the graduating youths, Sophilet Mkandawire, 24, who trained in baking, said she will venture into baking business and employ other youths in her area.
“I will now open a fully-fledged bakery to serve my community. I already started baking scones and bread and I make K40 000 per day through sales,” she said
The project targets out-of-school young people in Mzimba and Ntcheu districts with funding from Save the Children Italy through Save the Children Malawi.
