By Sylvester Kumwenda
Director of Administration for Dowa District Council, Bissai Mtayamanja, says vulnerable youths in the country have the potential to transform their lives and contribute to the development of their communities if given a chance.
He made the remarks Friday during the graduation of 429 vulnerable and orphaned youths in Dowa, who have completed a three-year training in entrepreneurship, financial management and life skills under Zoe Empowers.
Mtayamanja said youths in the country have the potential to contribute to national development hence the need to empower them with skills.
“Given the right knowledge and skills, the youth, including those vulnerable, can make significant strides in self-economic empowerment and contribute to society’s development.
“That is why we commend ZOE Empowers for their initiatives towards youths’ transformation. As a council, we pledge our support towards the initiative. We, therefore, call upon other partners to invest in youth empowerment,” he said.The graduating youths, who were in 16 groups, have graduated in different fields like leadership, business skills, tailoring, motor vehicle and motorcycle mechanics, carpentry, phone repair, hairdressing and others.
Country Manager for ZOE Empowers, Maclein Harawa, said since the inception of the initiative 15 years ago, many young people have transformed their lives.
“There has been remarkable achievements. When recruited, many are initially in a state where they cannot achieve their basic needs but after the training, many have ventured into various entrepreneurship and have transformed their lives.
“And today is yet another milestone as these young people are now graduating as empowered young leaders, transitioning into independent and self-sustaining livelihoods and expected to contribute towards sustainable community development,” he said.
He urged the group to have courage and venturing into any kind of business, saying humble beginnings make good endings.
One of the graduating youths, Wongani Mkawo of Tikondande Mphimbi Empowerment Group, said since joining, he has acquired skills in motor vehicle mechanics and can now feed for himself and his family.
“The skills we have acquired are highly invaluable and can uplift our lives. I, therefore, urge my fellow graduates to use the skills and work hard in all the businesses and ventures we are to undertake so that we achieve the desired change,” he said.
Speaking through a representative, Senior Chief Mponela said through their activities, ZOE Empowers has managed to transform lives of many youths in the area.
Zoe Empowers operates under eight key thematic areas which include vocational training, business skills and financial fluency, secure food and housing, spiritual strength and access to education.
