Kakule Youth Organisation says information gap affects young people to advance careers
A 19-year-old Mwayi Solomon wants to work as a mechanical engineer. In addition, Mwayi belongs to the Kakule Youth Organization (KAYO), which promotes youth empowerment and education in Chinsapo Township.
She expressed concern over the fact that a large number of young people lack necessary information to advance in their careers. However, the little understanding of entrepreneurship that she and her cohort acquired throughout the recent sensitization session will enable them in their daily maneuvers and increase their level of independence as they grow older.
“We do lack knowledge on how to pursue and set out life goals, to start, or run small-scale businesses so that we grow bigger and sustain our daily lives,” Mwayi stated.
During event young people also learnt coping mechanisms for psychological suffering and how to prevent suicides, as suicide rates in Malawi have increased recently.
“We have learnt to deal with stress and emotions to make our lives better, as the social media is now overwhelmed by suicide stories coupled with graphic photos, which we want to deal with,” she continued.
She, however noted prejudice between youth groups, mainly when they are capable of showcasing their talent, whether on stage or at different youth activities taking place.
But according to Joyce Msukwa, a social work student minoring in youth development at Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR), and one of the facilitators, their research revealed that young people in Chinsapo lacked business ideas, so it made sense to teach some of them how to generate ideas and manage capital in order to support themselves.
Msukwa said they also trained youth in combating mental health after realizing some challenges they experience and that they should become resilient. She explained, “Many youths here at Chinsapo are engaged in drug and substance abuse, so we have also taught them to deal with such things as they derail their future.”
Meanwhile, Felix Chisamba Banda, the Programs Manager for the Kakule Youth Organization, explained that the meeting was important because young people have been motivated by their Bunda College peers. According to Chisamba Banda, youths do acquire the ability to make life objectives and make sure they attend school.
“The training will help young people in our community understand how they can contribute to various development initiatives in the nation, such as Malawi 2063, which is the cornerstone of the nation’s development,” he stated.
He therefore said that as a community youth organization, they would like to call upon all young people in Chinsapo to participate in the youth activities and make the community active in developments.
Then, Chairperson for Area Development Committee Odala Frazer Mateyo expressed the need to encourage youth to ensure that they participate in different developments for the country to achieve Agenda Malawi 2063.
“I would like to call youths to avoid taking drugs and substances and work hard in school activities for a bright future,” advised Mateyo.
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