World Vision Malawi (WVM) Programme Manager for the districts of Dowa and Kasungu in Malawi, Anold Tsalayekha has underscored the crucial role of equipping young people with vocational skills in order for the country to realise its development aspirations.

Tsalayekha conveyed this message during the presentation ceremony where 45 sewing machines were handed over to youths who had undergone tailoring training in the area of Senior Chief Kayembe in Dowa district.

He highlighted that the youth empowerment initiative aligns with the Malawi 2063 agenda, which prioritises the economic empowerment of young individuals, emphasising their pivotal role in fostering productivity and advancing the economic landscape of the nation.

Vocational skills intervention is in line with government policy and for World Vision we thought we would contribute to it by ensuring that in the area where we are working youths are supported to be trained in tailoring, motorcycle repair, welding and fabrication; all these are done to make sure that the youths are reproductive [sic] and are economically empowered.

Tsalayekha further emphasised that by imparting diverse skills to youths, they are actively contributing to the enhancement of skill sets, a vital aspect in steering the agenda forward.

He further stated that their organisation has partnered with the Technical, Entrepreneurial and Vocational Education Training Authority (TEVETA) in supporting these youths because as WVM are transitioning from the area after working for 18 years.

One of the beneficiaries, Winnie Custom, expressed her gratitude, by thanking WVM for the donation of sewing machines, acknowledging that it as a transformative intervention for the youth cohort.

The machine will help us to be self-reliant and economically empowered.

The donation comprised 45 sewing machines plus 15 for the Vocational Skills Centre, making a total of 60 sewing machines valued at K22 million, with funding from World Vision New Zealand.