Sex Workers Trained in Vocational Skills by Malawi Ministry
The initiative is being funded by Steamboat Christian Center in Colorado, United States.
MONKEY BAY, Malawi— At least nine sex workers from different districts of the country have been trained in basic business skills by the Sex Workers Transformation Ministry under the Malawi Assemblies of God Church in Mangochi-Monkey Bay, writes Maureen Kawerama.
Speaking on Saturday during the presentation of the certificates at the end of six months training, the ministry's director, Pastor Jostino Kamvaka, said they trained the sex workers to enable them to quit the trade.
"After responding to the Word of God, we take them to the Village of Hope here in Monkey Bay where they learn business skills such as tailoring, hairdressing, animal production, baking and the gospel for six months," Kamvaka said.
He also said he expected them to be agents of change in their communities. This year, each person received 250,000 kwacha (about $260) and a sewing machine as capital.
The girls' chairperson, 19-year-old Alinafe Nangazi of T/A Nankumba in Mangochi district, said she gained business skills that will enable her to generate money.
"I started prostitution in 2022 because of poverty and I had no one to support me and my siblings. However, I have been facing challenges, including men beating me and refusing to pay after sleeping with them," she said.
Tamandani Kankhuku, 20, of T/A Zulu in Mchinji district, said she will not return to prostitution.
Village head Mjogo from Senior Chief Nankumba in Mangochi District thanked the ministry for the initiative and encouraged the girls to work hard in their businesses as well as to share the business skills with their friends in their localities.
The girls were drawn from Kasungu, Mangochi, Dedza, Mchinji, Lilongwe, Balaka and Rumphi districts. According to Kamvaka, this is the ninth cohort of commercial sex workers to be trained.
The ministry has trained a total of 62 sex workers since the trainings were rolled out in 2016.
The initiative is being funded by Steamboat Christian Center in Colorado, United States.