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NGO equips youths with vocational skills

There is Hope (TIH), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), has drilled 394 youths comprising Malawians and refugees from Dzaleka Refugee Camp in Dowa in vocational skills.

To facilitate increased  enrolment of girls in the two-year vocational course at their institution. TIH built a 64-bed hostel for young women under a 400 000 euros (about K331.2 million) grant from European Union (EU).

A student poses with Hoefkens (L), Kachoka (2nd R) and TIH executive director Innocent Magambi

Speaking during graduation on Thursday, TIH deputy executive director Catherine Ndege-Chirwa thanked EU, saying in the past fewer young women enrolled because they felt insecure to walk long distances to the training facility.

She said: “From five girls in construction courses previously, we now have trained 113, including welding and carpentry.

“We are excited about this because the construction sector is male-dominated.”

Speaking in an interview, EU head of cooperation Ivo Hoefkens said they were proud to support the project.

He congratulated the trainees, especially young women, who completed the training in construction courses.

“The EU recognises the important role that young women play in the development of their country. That is why EU focuses on supporting women,” he said.

Technical, Entrepreneurial, Vocational Education and Training Authority (Teveta) manager (Centre) Conceptor Kachoka commended EU and TIH for training people in vocational skills.

She said: “We thank EU for funding vocational training. They have supported in infrastructure development, tools and machinery provision and the training itself.”

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