Youth Development students enjoy a choice of skills taster sessions

Raphael and Hannah gained practical skills on the building course.

At the end of February, the students on Hope4Malawi’s one-year Youth Development Programme at Hope Skills Centre had the opportunity to participate in a two-week taster skills session of their choice.

Hope4Development team members led these sessions, with support from local teachers and other skilled experts.

From feedback, the students enjoyed the sessions and are positive about the new skills they have learnt, which many plan to use to gain employment or earn a living. Here's what some of them had to say:

Tailoring

Lonjezo's ambition is to become a tailor.

Lonjezo was pleased to learn about pattern cutting and how to operate a sewing machine.  He says, “I want to provide clothing for the people in my community who can’t afford to buy from clothes shops.” 

Similarly, Juliana is delighted with her achievements. She can now sew a zip and cut patterns. She also made school uniforms, 250 sanitary pads and bags, as well as table mats. Her ambition is to open a sewing shop.

She says, “I want to open a shop where I can sew for people in the community, and provide sanitary pads for girls who live locally.”

The tailoring sessions were led by Isabel, who teaches twice a week at the skills centre. She was supported by Diane, Deputy Head Teacher at Chimwembe Primary, who is also a tailor.

Electrical network hardware

Learning how to assemble computer hardware components, install Wi-Fi cables, and use Windows are all skills that Bright has learnt. He says, “This will be used to support my plans to study Information and Communication Technology.”

Philip says that he “grabbed almost every concept”, thanks to having such a good teacher.  He enjoyed learning how to replace computer hardware and install Wi-Fi. He sees a future in IT.

These sessions were led by Hope4Development director Neil Ambler, supported by Cuthbert, Hope4Development’s IT Assistant.

Welding

Learning how to weld.

Winnico and Shadreck feel welding is something they’d like to do in the future. They were taught how to weld and cut steel.

This course was led by John, a director of Hope4Development and local welder, and Bernard, a member of staff and YDP administrator.

Building

The building course students learnt how to build chicken coops for the new sustainability initiative at Hope Skills Centre. This course was led by Ben, head builder at Hope Skills Centre, supported by Emmanuel, a local builder.

Goat farming

Innocent sees a future in farming. “I learnt new skills and plan to grow vegetables to feed the community and defeat malnutrition,” he says.

The course was led by Aubrey, Farm Manager at Hope Skills Centre.

The students will complete the programme in July and are deciding on their next steps. A few of them plan to remain in education and have applied for university places. Others are seeking employment, or will pursue further study or training to master a trade.

Some students have plans to start businesses and are working to put together proposals to apply for a business grant. There will also be opportunities to work at Hope Skills Centre with the Hope4Development team.

Please see our separate blog post to hear YDP student Diriro's account of the skills taster sessions.

---

Can you help a child in Malawi?

Thanks to the support of our partners, sponsors, fundraisers and volunteers, Hope4Malawi's Youth Development programmes, school building projects, resourcing initiatives, and student sponsorships continue to provide life-changing opportunities for children in rural Blantyre.

For further information on how to get involved, please contact us.