For years, many young people in Neno District struggled to secure opportunities that could lift them out of abject poverty.
Jobs were scarce and the burden of daily survival often weighed down on women and girls.
But this began to change when the Concerned Youth Organisation (CYO), with support from Global Affairs Canada, introduced the Empowering Women and Girls project.
The initiative boosted soap-making skills among the youth, giving them not only a craft but also tool for economic independence.
One of the early beneficiaries, Agnes Ntande, knows the power of this change. Once a trainee herself, she now stands proudly as an instructor, guiding others through the art of transforming simple raw materials into high-quality soap.
For her, it is more than a business but a testimony that with the right skills, young people can break the cycle of poverty.
Among her new students is Catherine Kafumbi, a mother who once struggled to provide for her family. Today, her small-scale soap-making business allows her to buy food, clothing and pay school fees for her children. With every bar of soap sold, she sees not only profit but also empowerment.
Community leaders have noticed too. Rose Alabi, from the Ministry of Gender at Neno District Council, believes this training was held at a crucial time.
“When women and youth gain economic power, the whole community grows stronger,” she said.
What makes this initiative special, is the spirit of innovation among the youth. Instead of waiting for employment to come their way, they are creating their own opportunities. By joining village savings groups, they are pooling resources, building resilience and investing in their futures.
