Vocational Skills Training Empowers Vulnerable Youths in Mzuzu
By providing them with the skills they need to find employment, the program is helping to improve their lives and contribute to the development of their communities.
MZUZU, MALAWI – Over 800 vulnerable youths in Mzuzu, Malawi, have benefitted from a vocational skills training program implemented by St John of God Hospitaller Services, writes Susan Moyo.
The project, funded by Kindernothilfe Luxembourg, has been running for over three years and has provided training in carpentry, plumbing, tailoring, and other vocational skills.
The program was established in response to the high levels of unemployment and poverty among youths in Mzuzu.
“We noticed that most youths in the township were idle and did not have a reliable source of income, while some did not have a chance to enrol in formal education because they are not qualified,” said Christopher Mhone, Programs Manager for St John of God.
The program has had a positive impact on the lives of many participants.
“We have lives of some of the youth that we trained have improved for the better, as some have been employed by different organizations while others have established their own carpentry or tailoring shops and garages in which they have created job opportunities for other people,” said Mhone.
One of the beneficiaries of the program is Mtisunge Phiri, a 24-year-old with a hearing impairment. After receiving training in carpentry and joinery, Phiri is now employed by St John of God.
“Some people think that having a disability is an excuse that you cannot become economically independent, but here I am, I am able to fend for my parents, I have proved that even people with disability can contribute to the development of society,” said Phiri.
Another beneficiary, Esther Lloyd, from Hilltop in Mzuzu, expressed her appreciation for the opportunity offered by St John of God Hospitaller Services.
“After going through plumbing training, Northern Region Water Board-NRWB employed me on a temporary basis, I am now able to look after my family,” said Lloyd.
Misheck Misokwa, the youth officer for Mzimba North and Mzuzu City, commended St John of God Hospitaller services for providing such an opportunity to the vulnerable youths.
“Vocational skills have the potential to turn around the lives of many people, especially the youth and we have already witnessed that some of those who were trained by St John of God are doing well for themselves. So this is very commendable,” said Misokwa.
The vocational skills training program is a valuable resource for vulnerable youths in Mzuzu.
By providing them with the skills they need to find employment, the program is helping to improve their lives and contribute to the development of their communities.