Malawi’s Vulnerable Youth Receiving Entrepreneurial Skills in Catholic Bishops’ Initiative

“The project, therefore, is promoting equitable and non-gender-biased access and retention in the targeted vocational colleges,” says the official of the entity previously known as Caritas Malawi. 

In the October 6 report, Christopher, a beneficiary of the Catholic Bishops’ initiative, says he is able to support his family thanks to the training and support he received. 

"I am very happy with the skills and tools I received from the project because my life has really changed," says Christopher who underwent a bricklaying course and was later provided with tools to start a business. 

He continues, “After receiving the tools from Hope for Youth, I went to Wisdom Construction Company for practicals. I worked there for one year and after gaining enough experience, I went back home and I am now constructing my own house."

"Now, I have my own house and am able to support my family in all needs, which wasn’t the case before,” Christopher says.

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On his part, Mark Dodoma who was trained in electrical installation, says he is “so grateful for the program." 

"I am happy to say I am now able to install people’s fridges, geezers, solar panels, televisions among others,” says Dodoma.

For 23-year-old Maxwell London, his life "has greatly changed" thanks to the Hope for Youth project. 

London studied electrical installation and electronics in one of Hope for Youth centres. He advertised his skills through posters and upon completing his studies, has won different contracts. 

“Right now, I am able to support myself and my family easily because of the skills and start-up tools I got from the project and really my life has greatly changed," says London. 

He adds that he has been able to purchase additional tools, a home theatre system, and has opened a barber shop where he has employed a youth.

London also expresses his gratitude to ECM members and other donors "for this good project."

Felister John, a 25 years old divorced mother of two children, was also employed after studying bricklaying and receiving startup tools from Hope for Youth project. 

In May this year, SCIAF said that 2,205 young women and men have benefitted from the project that has previously received funding from the European Union (EU).

Magdalene Kahiu is a Kenyan journalist with passion in Church communication. She holds a Degree in Social Communications from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA). Currently, she works as a journalist for ACI Africa.