What started as a small lamp of hope in 2020 in Zomba has grown into a nationwide light, as James Kajawo’s One For All Organization Technical College now empowers youth in 223 villages across Malawi with practical skills and a pathway out of unemployment.
James Kajawo, Director of Zomba based One For All Organization Technical College, has transformed a modest initiative launched with limited resources into a national force for youth empowerment. What began as a simple response to unemployment has steadily expanded, spreading light and opportunity to communities that once had few options.
Since 2020, the institution has trained and graduated over 850 youths in market-driven vocational skills, including Fashion Design, Electrical Installation, Plumbing, and Welding. In response to changing times and the growing digital economy, the college has this year introduced Video Production, opening new doors for creative and digital employment among young people.
Between 2020 and 2024 alone, more than 350 students graduated in Fashion Design and each received a free, brand new sewing machine, a move that allowed beneficiaries to immediately transition into self-employment and income generation.
Speaking on his vision, Kajawo said his ultimate goal is to eliminate youth complaints about unemployment by equipping them with practical skills.
“I want to see no youth complaining about unemployment. Vocational skills training is key because skills give young people the power to create their own jobs and shape their future,” he said.
In the early stages of the programme, Kajawo personally funded the courses, supporting and empowering youths free of charge using his own resources. He said the decision was rooted in his belief that lack of money should never deny a young person the chance to learn a skill.
As the initiative expanded, support from well-wishers strengthened its impact. Among them was Faiza Aboo AQSA, whose material support became a lifeline for 350 youths.
“I ask Allah to pour millions of blessings upon AQSA Management. Their support turned into hope and opportunity for many young people.”
Kajawo has also encouraged youths who dropped out of school due to various challenges not to underrate the power of vocational skills, describing them as highly rewarding and life-changing. He emphasized that success is not confined to formal education alone.
At the same time, he denounced the tendency among some youths to focus only on formal employment, urging them to embrace self-employment through vocational skills as a sustainable solution to unemployment.
