Thirty Hope Ambassadors graduated on Saturday under the Mbedza Youth Leadership Award Scheme at the Hope & Wellness Centre in Songani, Zomba.
The scheme, launched in June, aims to equip youths with leadership skills in various areas.
“Initially, we had 45 participants and 30 were selected based on assessment performance,” said Alfred Kamwendo, project officer for the Hope Ambassadors’ programme.
“These participants managed to score a minimum of 50 from all four areas of training which are theatre, sex and relationships, sports and agriculture.”
During the training, the youths were mentored by Mbedza project staff and participated in activities like theatre training, sports tournaments and farming.
Said Kamwendo: “They established their own garden through their own initiative, funded by donors. This enabled them to share different roles, strengthening collaboration among them as leaders.”
Dalitso Mlonya, executive director and founder of Tigwilizane Centre for Democracy, encouraged the graduates to make a positive impact in their communities.
“Remember, your education is not just a personal accomplishment but also a privilege that comes with a responsibility to give back to your community,” said Mlonya.
Dumisani Kayira, one of the graduates, plans to apply the skills in her daily life and share them with her community members to bring about positive change.
He said: “I’m excited to use the skills I’ve gained to make a difference in my community. I’m grateful for the opportunity to be part of this programme.”
Looking ahead, Mbedza Youth Leadership Scheme plans to partner different entities in various areas, such as sports and theatre to enhance their training initiatives.
“We believe that collaborations with like-minded organisations will enable us to provide more comprehensive training and opportunities for our youth,” said Kamwendo.
Mbedza Project Limited is a non-profit organisation working towards the prevention and reduction of poverty in Malawi. Registered in 2015 in the UK and in Malawi under CONGOMA and NGORA, Mbedza operates in Mangochi and Zomba districts.
