Empowering Youth: Malawian Organizations Provide Hope and Opportunities
The support includes the School Support Program, technical training, leadership development, sexual reproductive health, and life-line skills.
Blantyre, Malawi – Aidah Baloni's journey was fraught with obstacles when she lost her father shortly after completing her Primary School Leaving Certificate of Education (PSLCE), writes Thokozani Beaton.
The loss of her father left her with dim prospects for continuing her education.
However, thanks to the unwavering support of two Blantyre-based youth organizations, Mpemba Vision Youth and Nancholi Youth Organization, Aidah's hopes were rekindled, and she was able to return to school.
These organizations have jointly initiated a program aimed at providing secondary school education support and technical skills training to more than 35 young individuals in Lundu and other areas in Mpemba-Blantyre District.
Aidah, one of the beneficiaries of the school support program, expressed her gratitude for the collaboration between these two youth groups, which granted her the opportunity to complete her secondary education.
Her dreams, which had nearly been extinguished following her father's passing, found new life.
The 21-year-old successfully completed her secondary school education at Mpemba Community Day Secondary School in 2022, and she enthusiastically praises the program for its role in helping her and other girls in Mpemba access secondary education.
"I took my Standard 8 examination in 2018 and passed. However, my joy was short-lived when I lost my father before the results were released. This was a devastating blow to my education prospects," Aidah said.
She continued, "My spirits were lifted when the Nancholi Youth Organisation from Nancholi visited us at the Mpemba Vision Youth forum. During the visit, it was announced that I was one of the fortunate girls selected to receive support following our interaction with the organisation."
Bauleni Akule, the chairperson for Mpemba Vision Youth, highlighted the various initiatives spearheaded and financially supported by Nancholi Youth Organization.
These efforts have positively impacted numerous young people in the Mpemba area. One noteworthy example is the school support initiative, which has provided tuition fees to nearly 10 secondary school students.
Akule explained, "In addition to supporting students, Nancholi Youth Organisation has empowered eight other young individuals with technical and vocational skills, including tailoring, plumbing, and electrical installation, among others, over the past four years."
Shingrai Kaunde, who underwent training as a tailor, spoke about the impact of the partnership between Mpemba Vision Youth and Nancholi Youth Organisation. She expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to acquire valuable tailoring skills.
"I am thankful for the initiative and the support we received. It allowed me to learn tailoring skills, which I believe will positively change my life in the future," she said.
Matthews Katete, a monitoring and evaluation officer at Nancholi Youth Organisation, shared that the organization, in collaboration with Mpemba Youth Forums, has extended support to over 35 youths from DC Lundu and other surrounding areas in Mpemba.
The support includes the School Support Program, technical training, leadership development, sexual reproductive health, and life-line skills.
"Our organization recognised the value of working with youth clubs such as DC Lundu. We aimed to reach young people facing various challenges and empower them in various capacities," Katete explained.
He added that the organization strongly believes in investing in young people to foster better communities, recognizing that youths are active, vibrant, and productive individuals who can drive much-needed change in their respective communities.