Catholic Church Empowers Women and Youth with Technical Skills Training
The Catholic Church's Hope for the Youth Project provides technical skills training to less privileged women and youth in Balaka, Malawi.
BALAKA, MALAWI — The Catholic Church in Balaka is igniting new hope and opportunities for less privileged women and youth through the Hope for the Youth Project, writes Moses Thole.
This initiative is providing valuable technical skills such as welding and fabrication, carpentry and joinery, and electrical installation to participants, aiming to equip them with tools for a brighter future.
Implemented at the Andiamo-Ulongwe Technical College in Balaka district, the project has been made possible by funding from the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (SCIAF).
The project initially began with support from the European Union (EU) during its first phase from 2017 to 2020, but SCIAF has taken over the reins from 2021 to the present.
Beneficiaries of this transformative programme include women and youth clubs from Kalembo 1 and 2, Nkanda, Nkamwana Kuntiyani, and Mmaniwa under Traditional Authority Kalembo in Balaka.
These individuals have gained essential skills that can empower them economically and open doors to better opportunities.
The project's primary focus is on less privileged women and youth who have faced barriers to mainstream technical education due to challenges like limited educational background, financial constraints, and disabilities, among others.
Alice Ellison, a proud graduate of Andiamo-Ulongwe Technical College, shared her success story.
"I opened a shop at Balaka township after I graduated from Andiamo-Ulongwe Technical College. Previously, I thought all was lost in my life since I had no one to rely upon, having dropped out of school in Form 2. But after my training in carpentry, I can make door frames, chairs, and sofa sets just to mention a few," she revealed.
Joseph Maziko, who hails from Nkanda 2 in Balaka district, expressed his gratitude for the project's impact on his life.
"Technical education is currently the best gift that one can receive, as it is very helpful to the youth. When I was singled out to be one of the beneficiaries in 2018, I was very excited. I chose to study an electrical installation course, and I am happy and grateful for the opportunity," Maziko said.
He now supports his family and siblings as a skilled electrician, proficient in house wiring and dish installation.
Since its launch in 2017, the Hope for the Youth Project has reached over 1500 youths and women under Traditional Authority Kalembo in Balaka. Beneficiaries belong to youth clubs such as Tifelenji, Chigumula, Nandumbo, Njese, and Tithandizane.
While the project has been celebrated for its positive impact, Vincent Chiwaya, an Instructor at the Technical College, highlighted a persistent challenge.
"We have three courses, and our wish is to enrol 40 students in each programme each year, meaning that we want to train 120 people every year. But we are not able to enrol this many people due to insufficient teaching and training materials," Chiwaya revealed.
He continued, "Currently, we are only relying on the grant from SCIAF annually. We don't have proper funding as it was with the EU, hence our appeal to organisations to partner with us so that we can train more people."
Chiwaya further disclosed plans for the college to expand its catchment area to other Traditional Authorities in the district, to increase enrollment and extend the project's reach.
As the Hope for the Youth Project continues to transform lives and build a brighter future for less privileged individuals, the Catholic Church and its partners remain committed to empowering the youth and women of Balaka district through valuable technical education and skill development.