World Vision Malawi has donated 45 sewing machines to youths who completed a six-month tailoring training in Dowa District under the organisation’s youth empowerment initiative.
The organisation also donated 15 sewing machines to Lipiri Vocational Centre in the district.
Speaking on Monday after the handover, World Vision Dowa programmes manager Arnold Tsalayekha said they wanted to complement government’s efforts in empowering the youth economically.
machines to the youth
“We decided to train the youth in various vocational skills to enable them become economically independent. It is only when the youth have acquired skills and are generating their own money that they can desist from indulging in risky behaviours,” he said.
Kayembe Area Develoment Committee chairperson Friday Chilonga said they will ensure that the sewing machines are used for the intended purpose.
“We agreed as a committee that those to get the sewing machines will sign a memorandum of understanding to ensure that the machines serve the intended purpose,” he said.
Chilonga thanked the organisation for the donation, saying it will help the youth create employment.
One of the beneficiaries, Winnie Custom of Yohane Village, Traditional Authority Kayembe, said she was excited to own a sewing machine.
“I used to rent a sewing machine and now that I have my own, I will grow in my business soon,” she said.
The 60 sewing machines valued at K22 million were acquired with financial support from World Vision New Zealand.
World Vision phased out Lipiri Area Programme in September this year after running projects for 18 years.
The projects covered water, sanitation and hygiene, maternal and child health, Tiwerenge 365, sponsorship and livelihood and resilience which transformed people’s livelihoods
