Youth With a Goal Initiative Empowers Malawi's Young People to Build Better Futures
YWG hopes to expand its reach to other districts and reach as many young people as possible.
Malawi: In Nkhota-kota, many young people struggle with poverty, a lack of education and skills, and a negative mindset that prevents them from reaching their full potential, writes William Mwale.
However, one young man, the late Sub Inspector Edward Chavula, saw the vast potential of the youth and established an organization to help them change their mindset and become productive citizens.
Founded in 2018, Youth With a Goal (YWG) aims to create a positive environment for young people to express themselves, work with the limited resources they have, and promote ideals of spiritual and economic growth for a just society.
"The Youth With a Goal was installed to promote and enhance the social, economic, and spiritual development of youth and the entire community," says Emmanuel Chavula.
The organization has already had a significant impact on the lives of its members. Chisomo Singini, a member of the Kamwala Youth Club, has been equipped with business skills that have allowed him to start a small-scale fish-selling business.
"I am glad that now I no longer depend on my parents for everything," he says.
YWG has also helped young people become more involved in their communities and improve their faith.
Idrissa Kawanga says, "I can safely testify that these programs have helped me better my life. I am now a dependable member of my church, my public speaking skills have been boosted, and I can now control my emotions and no longer cause problems among my peers."
In addition to peace-building and management training, the organization also empowers young people economically by teaching them how to make eco-friendly charcoal briquettes.
Coordinator Esther Makalande says, "By making eco-friendly charcoal using locally found raw materials, we are teaching the youth to conserve the environment and also pass on the same messages and skills to their homesteads so that together we reduce the effects of climate change."
YWG hopes to expand its reach to other districts and reach as many young people as possible.
The organization believes that skills alone are not enough and that a mindset change is necessary for real and sustainable change.