Skills development for all

Disability is not inability, goes the mantra in the fight against inequality in all its forms.

June 1 has become a day to remember for Priscilla Magaleta, 23.

The girl with albinism from Dzungu Village, Traditional Authority Bvumbwe in Thyolo District completed four-month training in agriculture.

“It’s my happiest day and I cannot contain my happiness having completed. Agriculture is my favourite field, “ she says.

With her certificate in hand, Magaleta’s face brimmed with joy and determination to embark on a journey of self-reliance.

“I passed Malawi School Certificate of Education [MSCE] examinations in 2019, but couldn’t get a job despite sending numerous applications,” she says.

Her agony mirrors the country’s massive youth unemployment.

According to the International Labour Organisation, a quarter of Malawians, aged 18 to 35, are searching for jobs, but cannot find any.

The unemployment rates are higher among persons with disabilities as they are denied education opportunities and skills development.

“It is hard for the youth with disabilities to get jobs because some employers snub you without giving you a chance to prove your abilities,” Magaleta says.

She recalls attending a job interview where interviewers made faces and looked down as soon as they saw her entering the room.

“I could tell from their faces that they did not expect someone like me. Their attitude affected my performance,” she recalls.

The four-month training opportunity has given her a golden chance to prove doubters wrong, a call for everyone to focus on her ability.

Magaleta aspires to manage her own farm enterprise.

“I want to become a farm manager and employ other fellow young people to reduce unemployment,” she states. “If resources permit, I want my farm to grow and process mangoes for juice to be sold in chain stores,” she says.

Magaletta was among 50 people trained by the  Technical, Entrepreneurial and Vocational Education and Training Authority  (Teveta) at Kamuzu Vocational Rehabilitation and Training Centre at Magomero in Chiradzulu District.

Three in every five trainees were young people with various disabilities.

“My passion is to empower young people with disabilities who are forced to look down upon themselves due to their physical disabilities,” Magaleta says.

Teveta Southern Region service centre manager Conceptor Bamusi says the youth with disabilities face numerous challenges on the job market due to discrimination, low self-esteem and lack of confidence.

She states: “Most of them fall victims to exploitation and abuse because they look down upon themselves. As such, it is essential to empower them with relevant skills.

“We hope the training will empower the youth with disabilities to become self-reliant and contribute towards national development just like any other person.“

Bamusi says equal treatment boosts the confidence of people with disabilities.

“Persons with disabilities mostly underestimate themselves due to societal prejudices. Equipping them with relevant skills and knowledge builds their self-esteem to uplift themselves and take part in developmental activities,” she says.

Recently, Parliament amended the country’s laws to ensure equal opportunity and inclusivity for all and at all levels regardless of one’s physical or biological makeup.

The law guarantees persons with disabilities equal opportunities and participation in public life.

Malawi Council of Disability Affairs (Macoda) director general George Chiusiwa says there is need for sustained efforts to empower persons with disabilities through skills development.

“Oftentimes people with disabilities are excluded from employment opportunities due to low education attainment and lack of relevant skills. As such, they became dependent on other people. This mostly leads to exploitation, abuse and chronic poverty,” he says.

Opened in 1983 with financial and technical support from the United Nations, Kamuzu Vocational Rehabilitation and Training Centre has trained thousands of persons with disabilities in various programmes.

It has the capacity to train 224 people per intake so that they can use the skills to improve their lives and create jobs for others.