By Prisca Mashushu

Lilongwe, 3 October, Mana:Tingathe organization has stepped up efforts to empower youths to participate in vocational skill training to ensure they become independent and self-reliant.

Among other things, the organization is equipping the youths in carpentry and journey, tailoring and designing, and entrepreneurship skills.

Communications and Programmes Coordinator Martin Mbewe said the organization thought to introduce the initiative to equip vulnerable youths to gain skills that will enable them to be self-dependent.

“We prioritize those from vulnerable backgrounds who have demonstrated a strong desire for personal and community development. The selection process also ensures gender balance and inclusivity to maximize impact.

“Our vocational training program equips youth in Lilongwe with practical skills like tailoring and fashion design, carpentry and joinery, and leadership and entrepreneurship, enabling them to start businesses or secure employment," said Mbewe.

Mbewe added to say youth from peri-urban areas in Lilongwe face barriers such as limited access to education, information, unemployment, and lack of resources due to poverty which often leads to early marriages, crime, and dependency.

He said the presence of vocational training will help to curb the challenges by giving them something to rely on.

Mbewe said this will not only benefit them as individuals, but the skill development will bail out their poverty struggles and improve their socio-economic status.

One of the beneficiaries of the training, Ronald Gondwe, said many youths face significant challenges due to poverty and limited access to quality education.

He said about 70 percent of youths lack formal training and the presence of the organization has helped youths to learn practical skills like computer and waste management initiatives to enable them to secure jobs or start their businesses.

Gondwe said this has led to greater financial independence and community improvement amongst the youths in Lilongwe.