MALAWI: Church Empowers Youth with Technical Skills

KARONGA, JANUARY 14, 2020 (CISA) – The Technical, Entrepreneurial and Vocational Education and Training Authority of Malawi (TEVETA) has awarded certificates to 142 youth supported by the catholic Diocese of Karonga.

Speaking on behalf of Bishop Martin Anwel Mtumbuka of the Catholic diocese of Karonga, Fr Cyprian Ngoma, Chairman of Liturgical Commission in the Catholic diocese of Karonga and Parish Priest of St Steven’s Kasantha Parish said the Church believes that, “the graduates will now become instruments of peace in the society.”

The youth drawn from violence prone areas in Karonga, Rumphi, and Chitipa districts received training in carpentry and joinery, bricklaying and tailoring, fashion and designing.

“A greater part of the country’s population is occupied by the youth who have nothing to do hence they opt for violent acts particularly in Karonga. This initiative, therefore, was meant to groom the youth to become reliable citizens of this nation,” said Mwawi Shawa, Secretary Caritas Karonga as he presented the students with their certificates.

“It is the plan of Bishop Mtumbuka to reach out to as many youths who have been left out by the formal vocation training programmes,” he added.

TEVETA Executive Director, Wilson Nkhoma, said he was pleased to have partnered with the diocese to train the youth in various vocational skills that will help the youth be self-reliant and productive.

“As TEVETA, we believe that the youth can employ themselves through vocational skills and become self-reliant if they can put their heart and effort on such skill without actually advertising themselves but through quality products,” said Nkhoma.