Women in Traditional Authority Kalonga in Salima District have commended Kindle Outreach Orphan for training them in vocational skills to enable them become financially independent.
Speaking during a graduation on Friday, Hendrina Mindiyera, a farmer who acquired tailoring skills, said she now hopes to generate income through business.
She said the 2022 floods in the district affected her livelihood as her maize garden was washed away.
“I am pleased the organisation came in time to offer the skills. I will now open a workshop to run my business,” said Mindiyera.
Kindle Outreach Orphan executive director Joseph Kandiyesa said he was impressed with the number of women showing interest in the vocational training.
He said: “We want to see more women acquiring such skills.
“We are an organisation that helps widows, orphans and the elderly in the district. Women are key to supporting families, as such, we are pleased to see them enrol in the programmes.”
Kandiyesa said through its technical and vocation training centre, the organisation has trained 40 people. He said out of this figure, 19 are women.
Salima Technical, Entrepreneurial, Vocational and Education Training Authority (Teveta) officer Jessie Mwansambo said the district experienced two successive disasters which affected crops in 2021 and 2022 seasons.
She encouraged the women to use their skills to create jobs in their communities.
Under the country’s long-term development plan, the Malawi 2063, rural communities are encouraged to attain entrepreneurial and vocational skills to develop the country.
Kindle Outreach is promoting vocational training programmes under Teveta in the district.
Besides supporting institutions to empower women and youths with vocational skills, Teveta also rolled out a mobile programme to ensure that many youths acquire technical and entrepreneurial skills
