A Lilongwe-based youthful entrepreneur, Chris Maliyeliye has offered to provide opportunities to underprivileged youths to acquire technical skills through an initiative being conducted by an organisation called Active Life Foundation in conjunction with Anganga Media.
Through the initiative, Maliyeliye wants the youths to undergo basic training in various fields including tailoring and design, welding, capently, beauty and hairdressing and basic computer training, just to mention a few.
He has indicated that the free trainings have been introduced to empower underprivileged youths with technical and entrepreneurial skills.
“I couldn’t stand and just watch my fellow youths struggling. That’s why I decided to come up with this idea,” he said.
He said currently, the initiative is targeting youths from Lilongwe city, with potential to further expand in future.
“I am specifically targeting youths staying in areas such as Biwi, Kaphiri, Mchesi, Area 23, 22 and other areas because research has shown that a lot of youths in these areas are struggling,” said Maliyeliye.
Through the initiative, he also wants to counter the threat of drug and substance abuse affecting youths in the city.
“I know things are tough out there, but let us not resort to drug and substance abuse or suicide, but rather focus on things that have the potential to bring change,” he added.
Meanwhile, Executive Director One Step Foundation, Moses Mwalabu welcomed the initiative, saying his organisation will send some youths to undergo the training.
“As an organisation that takes care of underprivileged youths, we will definitely send some of them to these trainings,” said Mwalabu.
