By Richard Kayenda
MZUZU-(MaraviPost)-Youth in Champhira area in Mzimba district have hailed N’zatonse project for equipping them with income-generating skills.
Speaking during a review meeting on Monday at Champhira Youth Centre, the youth said the project, which trained them in tailoring, sports, and other income-generating activities (IGA) came at a time when they needed it most.
One of the youth, Angela Chaula, who is the chairperson for Kamterwe Youth Club, said through the N’zatonse project, members in her club are growing different crops that do not require chemical fertilizers such as sunflower, soybeans, and sweet potatoes. And are realizing a lot of money after selling the produce.
“We have benefited a lot through this project as we are growing different crops at both club and individual levels. And after selling the crops we are realizing so much money that is helping us alleviate our day-to-day economic challenges,” said Chaula.
While concurring with Chaula, chairperson for Kaufipa Youth Club, whose members have honed tailoring skills, said youth in the community are all smiling because N’zantose project has bailed them out of their economic plights.
On his part, the Head of Programs for Norwegian Church Aid and Danish Church Aid in Malawi, Paul M’manjamwada, said as Act Alliance, they are satisfied with the successes the project is registering in various districts in the country.
M’manjamwada said: “If you look at the level of information that has been provided to the youth, we are satisfied that we have created a lot of demand; so much so that young people are aware of the methods that are available and where to get them.
“And if you look at statistics for early child marriages, we can be proud to say that something is happening in the communities through the interventions that N’zantose has had over the years that the project has been there.”
N’zatonse project, which is in the fourth phase since March 2021, has been empowering the youth with information on sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR) and family planning (FP) methods amongst the youths in the districts of Mzimba, Rumphi, Thyolo, Blantyre, Nthisi, and Ntcheu. It is supported by the German Bank of KfW through Act Alliance.
