College Transforms Lives Through Skills Training
Since 2016, over 1,500 students have graduated from short-term programs aimed at fighting poverty.
CHITIPA, Malawi — Kasama Technical College is empowering youth in northern Malawi's Chitipa region by providing skills training in trades like construction, tailoring and agriculture, writes Victor Musongole.
Since 2016, over 1,500 students have graduated from short-term programs aimed at fighting poverty.
Antonio Sikwese took informal courses in 2016-2017 as the college was just getting started.
He used the knowledge to launch Masaka Construction Company, which employs 10 people working on projects like the new Ngoya Community Day Secondary School.
"My future looks bright now after being empowered by the college," Sikwese said. Though facing financial limitations, he has built a modern house and bought a vehicle through his construction income.
Carpentry graduate Blessings Mwambene has built a client base making and selling furniture and doing roofing jobs since finishing his program in 2021.
"I was jobless and hopeless before attaining the training, thanks to Kasama Technical," Mwambene said.
With his earnings, the 26-year-old has purchased livestock and improved life for his family. He plans to open his own workshop.
Welding graduate Tupalishe Silumbu found work with a local construction company after training in 2021.
"I'm now employed and I'm able to support my family," she said.
The programs transform lives by giving youth marketable skills, according to college principal Kondwani Nyirongo.
"Our graduates are all over working with different companies and institutions," he said.
But Nyirongo acknowledged lower enrollment in certain trades like welding and urged youth to take advantage of the free training opportunities.
The Malawi government launched the community college initiative to increase access to skills training for out-of-school youth.
With limited and competitive places in formal technical programs, short-term courses at schools like Kasama are helping meet urgent needs for jobs while setting graduates up for success as business owners and innovators.
Sikwese now dreams of the day his construction company can make its own cement blocks. Mwambene envisions his future workshop.
And Silumbu is proof that welding isn't just a man's trade. All found purpose thanks to the college.
As Sikwese put it, "My future looks bright now."
The programs are truly transforming lives.