By Manasse Nyirenda

Rumphi, February 20, Mana: Rumphi District Council on Wednesday launched a youth resource centre built with financial support from World Bank funded Governance to Enable Service Delivery (GESD) and Constituency Development Fund (CDF) at Rumphi Stadium in the district.

GESD contributed K62 million while CDF provided K29 million towards the construction of the centre.

Speaking during the ceremony Member of Parliament for Rumphi Central Constituency, Chidumba Mkandawire said the centre will give the youth in the district a safe place where they will acquire vocational and other life skills to live responsible lives.

Chidumba also donated sewing machines, a desktop computer and a plasma television to the centre in addition to cheques worth K20 million in loans to various youth groups through CDF to enable them start businesses.

"We have given loans to over ten groups today translating into over 100 people that have benefited from these loans under CDF.

"I am happy that I am the first member of Parliament in the district to do this, utilizing ten percent of CDF that is allocated towards supporting women and the youths," said Mkandawire.

Rumphi District Commissioner has urged the youth to utilize the centre's services such as the library and also vocational skills that will be offered to improve their livelihoods.

He has also asked the youth groups that have received loans to utilize them for the intended purpose so that more youths can benefit from it once they pay back the loans.

Youth representative, Maxon Ngulube said the centre will promote self-employment among the youths through vocational skills such as tailoring and also reduce sluiced cases among the youth as they now have a place to freely share challenges they face with peers.

GESD is a Malawi Government performance based grant funded by World Bank.