Youths receive vocational startup kits
By Memory Mudzani
Ministry of youth, sports, arts and recreation in Kwekwe district recently received vocational skills startup kits for youths who were trained in vocational skill program which was funded by world food program through plan international last year.
District development officer for kwekwe district Nyaradzo Tabe Ndlovu told this publication that the occasion was a handover ceremony of startup kits to the youth
She further said they trained 191 youth in 2022 in the field of Baking, cosmetology, brick and block laying, metal fabrication and garment construction and home décor through a program which was funded by World food program (WPF) through plan international .
Ndlovu said they realized that the young people have the skills but no equipment to start their own enterprises so they asked WFP to purchase the equipment which the ministry handed over to 80 active youth.
“We mobilize youth train them in generating business ideas and starting the business, we also organize training programs through our Vocational training centers to give skills to youth and our goal is to improve livelihoods for the youth as we train them to start their own businesses, we also reduce demand and use of drugs by keeping them busy, “said Ndlovu
Plan international midlands area programs officer Laina Mastikiti said it is their goal that through this program they will be able to avoid unwanted pregnancies and marriages, they will be able to encourage young people to be resilient so as to brighten their future and shun the way of drug and substance abuse that is slowly destroying youths and the future of our nation as Zimbabweans.
Matsikiti said that as plan international they are working with partner organizations which include world food program (WPF) which is funding this youth economic empowerment program and they are also working with different government departments which includes ministry of youths, ministry of women affairs, ministry of health etc.
Matsikiti further said that by introducing this youth economic empowerment program their main objective was to improve food security and sustainable resilience capacities, to improve the management of community level assets, improve livelihood and economic empowerment of targeted urban dwellers and to improve saving capacity for urban communities.
Mastikiti also said that through this program they are happy to celebrate empowerment of young people particularly girls and young women who are plan international’s prime mandate and priority
Matsikiti said it is their hope that young people they have interacted with in this project and have received their startup kits will use these kits to improve and transform their lives to become better citizens who has the capacity to resilience respond to various shocks and stresses
“we are happy that apart from imparting the youths with large skills the outreach program also strengthens them in business and innovative entrepreneurs who are able to grow their incomes and improve their food securities and livelihood capacities ,”Matsikiti