COMSIP GOES AN EXTRA MILE IN YOUTH EMPOWERMENT

Comsip Cooperative Union has donated start-up tool kits to 71 youths in Dowa, who have graduated from four months of vocational training in several disciplines such as motorcycle mechanics, phone repairing, tailoring, solar installation, saloon, and welding among others.
Speaking at Senior Chief Kayembe’s headquarters, a 25-year beneficiary Chisomo Kamyambeni said the support is likely to alleviate poverty in their households.
“Before receiving the support, we received a series of training on motorcycle mechanics, phone repairing, tailoring, solar installation, saloon and welding among others, and business management respectively,” said Kamyambeni.
“This is a life-changing opportunity and as young people, we have to effectively perform” added Kamyambeni.
Another beneficiary who received phone repairing training and on Thursday received her tools, Mary Danken from TA Mkukula said her story has changed from shame to glory.
“I was only saving before I was trained in phone repairing,”.
“Dowa turn-off is where I will be plying my trade to meet more customers” Darken added
YETU Community Radio has through the handing over ceremony learned that the youths, Comsip Cooperative Union, and Area Development Committees have signed a two-year agreement that will see the youths operate their trade within their designated areas.
Commenting on the matter, Traditional Authority Kayembe Comsip Cooperative Union caseworker Frazier Yassin said the agreement is designed to make sure the benefiting young people lay the fruits of the project to their communities.
Yassin said within the period, comsip anticipates that the young people who have received the tools will also train their friends free of charge.
Welcoming the development, Senior Chief Kayembe admitted that the tools would foster behavior change among the youth, a problem that was escalating in the area.
“Let me thank Comsip for setting up resources to technically and financially support the youths and my office and development committees we will make sure the project benefits the whole area,” said Senior Chief Kayembe.
Taking her turn, Dowa District Youth Officer Gwyneth Kanju has advised young people in the district to believe in technical careers.
Kanju applauded the direction taken by comsip citing most young people who benefit from the government’s social protection programs dropped out of school but they can still acquire technical skills.
The beneficiaries are from the Traditional Authorities of Kayembe, Mkukula, Dzoole and Msakambewa.
Comsip is implementing the social support for resilient livelihood program (SSRLP) with support from the government and financial assistance from the World Bank.