Youths from Samson Sibande and Ng’ombe Yavuka villages under Traditional Authority Kampingo Sibande in Eswazini, Mzimba District, have welcomed support from the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA), which has donated start-up tools and equipment aimed at promoting self-reliance.
The handover ceremony took place yesterday after the youths completed vocational and skills training programmes.
The donated items include irrigation farming tools, cooking and baking equipment, electrical installation tools, and food-processing machines. The support is expected to help beneficiaries establish small businesses and improve their livelihoods.
Area Development Committee Chairperson Douglas Sibande praised ADRA for empowering young people with practical skills and resources.
“We are grateful to ADRA for helping our youths acquire skills and equipment that can help reduce poverty and unemployment in this community,” he said.
One of the beneficiaries, Lovemore Sibande, said the support had given him hope for a better future.
“We will use the equipment productively, and I also plan to share the skills with other youths,” said Lovemore.
Parents and community leaders described the initiative as life-changing, saying it will help keep young people engaged in productive activities.
Senior Chief Representative Group Village Head Ng’ombe Yavuka Kamanga said the community would ensure that the equipment is properly used and maintained.
ADRA representative Beatrice Banda urged the beneficiaries to make good use of the support to improve their lives. ADRA began implementing the project in the area in 2023.
Mzimba District Youth Officer Yamikani Nyalugwe also commended ADRA for the support it is providing to young people in the district.
“As government, our policy is to ensure that youths become self-reliant. Government alone cannot manage to transform the lives of young people, which is why we work hand in hand with different organisations. ADRA is one of the organisations we must commend for the support rendered to the youths of Mzimba,” said Nyalugwe.
He added that such interventions have helped reduce the number of youths migrating to South Africa in search of jobs.
According to population projections based on the 2018 Malawi Population and Housing Census, Mzimba District remains one of the most populous districts in the country, with a significantly youthful population.
Estimates for 2023 place the district’s population at between 1 million and 1.1 million people, with more than 300,000 youths aged between 10 and 24 years.
So far, 32 youths have benefited from the initiative, with equipment worth K10.8 million donated through support from Save the Children Italy.
