Zoe Empowers Malawi has emphasised the need to equip orphans and other vulnerable youths with vocational and entrepreneurship skills to become productive citizens.
The organisation has been training the youth from Dowa for three years and on Saturday it gave them startup kits and grants during a graduation in Mponela in the district.
Speaking during the ceremony, Zoe Empowers Malawi country manager MacLein Harawa said they wanted to ensure that more orphans and vulnerable households acquire vocational and entrepreneurship skills for their livelihoods.
“The ceremony marks the beginning of an era where the beneficiaries will be able to do many things to earn income after acquiring skills under the programme,” he said.
Dowa district assistant social welfare officer Rabson Limbikani said the organisation was complementing government’s efforts in empowering orphans and vulnerable households to run businesses.
“I ask other organisations to empower them as they are crucial to achieving the country’s long-term development strategy, Malawi 2063,” he said.
Dowa District Council vice-chairperson Samuel Kachiphala also commended the organisation for empowering the youth.
One of the beneficiaries, Lazarus Sadalaki of Tiyanjane Kazoma Youth Group in Traditional Authority Dzoole said he operates a barbershop and also ventured into a grocery shop business.
“I bought a bicycle and I am into farming activities,” he said.
Since the project started in 2013, it has transformed the lives of 20 000 orphans and vulnerable youths in the district.
The organisation is implementing the project with support from well-wishers based in the United States of America
