Empowering Youths Through Vocational Training

In Lilongwe’s T/A Kalolo, the vocational training focuses on two main areas: bricklaying at Chibungo and tailoring at Mkoko Trading Center. Upon visiting the project sites, the Director of Community Hope, Mapulanga Francisco Vitsitsi, witnessed firsthand the impact of the organization’s efforts.Nine young women and sixteen young men, the beneficiaries of the bricklaying training, expressed profound gratitude for the opportunity to participate. Speaking on behalf of his peers, the Chairperson highlighted how the project is not just equipping them with essential skills but also serving as a shield against societal challenges such as substance abuse, early pregnancies, and broken marriages.

The ethusiasim was palpable among both the beneficiaries and the community leaders. The Chairperson of the School Development Committee commended the initiative for addressing longstanding community needs, noting that such opportunities had been scarce in the past.

As if this was not enough, the School Development Committee has also engaged these youths to construct 10 toilets at a primary school which has over 3000 learners. This remarkable contribution demonstrates how the vocational training has empowered the youths to give back to the community using their newly acquired skills.

The school would have spent a considerable amount of money if it had engaged hired bricklayers who charge high fees for such work. However, these youths have volunteered to showcase their skills, proving to the community that they are capable of delivering quality work. This act also serves as a marketing strategy to attract potential clients with construction projects, ensuring the youths can secure immediate employment opportunities.

At Mkoko Trading Center, 25 youths are being trained in fashion and design. This year alone, Community Hope Initiative has managed to train 68 youths across these fields, with 41 males and 27 females participating.

In Mzimba’s T/A Mtwalo, 18 youths have just graduated from tailoring training at Enukweni. This milestone marks significant progress in the initiative’s efforts to empower youth through vocational skills, providing them with opportunities to build sustainable livelihoods.

On behalf of the Lilongwe District Youth Office, the District Youth Officer himself visited the two project sites in Lilongwe, Mkoko and Chibungo, to see for himself the work being done by the youths. He expressed great satisfaction and promised more support from his office, acknowledging that this initiative helps alleviate the government’s burden in empowering the youth. The District Youth Officer also affirmed the government’s readiness to continue working with Community Hope Initiative on all its projects, citing the organization’s transparency, accountability, dedication, and commitment to achieving its objectives.

During the visit, the youths were actively engaged in construction and tailoring work, demonstrating their newly acquired skills by building a house for a community member. The homeowner, filled with awe, remarked that the youths’ capabilities exceeded expectations after only a month of training.

The success of the vocational training projects extends beyond skill development; they symbolize a ray of hope for the entire community. With each brick laid and each lesson learned, these youths are not just building structures but also forging brighter futures for themselves and their families. Community Hope Initiative continues to be a catalyst for change, empowering youth and fostering resilient, thriving communities in Lilongwe and Mzimba.

Community Hope Initiative remains grateful to Stitching Afrika Zwolle, Wilde Ganzen and Living Way Foundation for the financial and material support towards these projects!

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