Malawian Youth Organization Implements Waste Management Project, Creates Green Jobs
Malawian youth-led organization launches Waste Innovative Champions Project to address waste management and unemployment, creating green jobs.
LILONGWE, MALAWI — Youth Access for Success and Development (YASD), a Lilongwe-based organisation, has initiated the Waste Innovative Champions Project (WICP), aimed at tackling waste management and unemployment issues among young people in Malawi, writes Mustafa Makumba.
The project, launched in 2022, provides training in waste management and encourages young men and women to turn waste into valuable products, thereby creating business opportunities.
As of now, over 1000 young individuals have received training in briquette making, paper production, and compost manure manufacturing.
Edward Chidombe, the Executive Director of YASD, explained that the project aims to empower young people and contribute to the realisation of Malawi's national vision, Malawi 2063.
"We have been imparting green skills knowledge to these young people to improve their lives and support the achievement of Malawi 2063," stated Chidombe.
Dyson Chikoti, a young man from Mchinji, spoke highly of the initiative, sharing that the training received has resulted in improved harvests in his maize fields.
The use of organic compost manure has revitalised the soil, leading to bumper crops.
Another farmer, Stain Banda, shared how the project has transformed his life by reducing his dependence on expensive imported fertilisers.
"The compost manure we produce from locally available materials is cheap and environmentally friendly," Banda revealed.
The WICP has not only addressed waste management issues but has also contributed to a cleaner and healthier environment while generating green jobs, particularly for young women and men.
The success of the project has attracted financial support from international organisations such as Media in Education Trust Africa (MIET), ActionAid, and Malawi-Scotland.
Chidombe confirmed that the project aligns with Malawi's vision pillars and enablers as outlined in the Malawi 2063 strategy.
The project focuses on key areas such as agricultural productivity, commercialization, industrialization, and urbanisation.
YASD has expanded the project's reach to several districts in the central region, including Mchinji, Dowa, and Dedza.
Additionally, virtual outreach is conducted through platforms like WhatsApp and Facebook.
In addition to the Waste Innovative Champions Project, YASD also implements other initiatives, including "Youth Lead in the Fight Against HIV/AIDS,' aimed at increasing awareness of the disease, and the Achinyamata Tiwale Project, which empowers young people with advocacy and leadership skills.
The positive impact of compost manure on agriculture in Malawi has been widely acknowledged by both subsistence and commercial farmers, showcasing the project's success.