By: Collings Kalivute
A Kasungu based local Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Shorten the Distance, has rolled out an initiative that seeks to impart vocational training to the youths in the district to counter unemployment levels among young people.
Founder of the Organization, Jacob Gondwe says the purpose of the initiative is to create opportunities for the youths despite improving their daily livelihood.
Gondwe, a German based Malawian, said the initiative will among others economically empower youths in the district by imparting them with vocational skills like tailoring, welding, bricklaying and carpentry.
“Creating more economic opportunities targeting youths is key to addressing unemployment levels. As you can see, the majority of the youths in Kasungu are just moving around due to high levels of unemployment. We want to bring out the hidden talents in them by imparting them with various skills,” he said.
Meanwhile, one of the beneficiaries, Judith Nyirenda said she believes that the initiative will help in reducing crimes associated with youths in the district.
“We commend Shorten the Distance for the initiative as it will not only help to deal with unemployment levels in our district but also help to reduce criminal acts among us,” laments Nyirenda.
In his remarks Youth Coordinator for the Organization Walusungu Wanangwa Gondwe has assured the youths in the district that no youth will be left behind under the project.
“No youth will be left behind under this project. We will also target children with nutrition projects so that nobody should be behind,” said Gondwe.
Youth unemployment rate in Malawi is estimated to be at 10 percent.
