By Vincent Gunde
There is Hope (TIH) says its Skill Up project is helping refugees and host communities in Dowa build skills for sustainable livelihoods and greater economic self-reliance.
The project targets young people aged 15 to 35 from Dzaleka Refugee Camp and surrounding communities, providing non-formal Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in various trades.
Coordinated by Welthungerhilfe (WHH) Malawi and implemented by TIH, the project has since 2024 offered training in bricklaying, carpentry and joinery, fabrication and welding, plumbing, solar photovoltaic installation, and tailoring and fashion design.
Presenting the project’s progress report, TIH Project Officer Nyengo Magagula Kumwenda said 436 students,156 refugees and 280 Malawians, have been recruited, while 402 have graduated, comprising 206 males and 196 females, representing a 92.2 percent completion rate.
Kumwenda said TIH aims to help refugees and host communities access education, artisan skills and other opportunities that promote self-reliance, dignity and economic well-being.
He said the project also provides entrepreneurship and life-skills training, digital literacy, scholarships for vulnerable girls, free work suits for female students, workplace attachments, start-up kits and tree-planting activities.
Kumwenda said the project initially targeted 657 students but the figure was revised to 503 following changes to the trades offered and reduced unrestricted donor funding.
He said the selection of trades was influenced by donor recommendations, the potential for Social Business Enterprise (SBE) and the need to encourage more women to pursue TVET.
The project is being implemented with partners including TEVETA Malawi, SMEDI, the Malawi Council for Disability Affairs (MACODA), Dzaleka Camp management, Dowa District Council, community structures, local media and COMSIP.
Meanwhile, Dowa District Council Director of Planning and Development Phillimon Maseko urged organisations implementing projects in the district to share their progress to promote cooperation, accountability and transparency.
Maseko also encouraged DEC members to mobilise school leavers to enrol with There is Hope for vocational training, saying the skills could help young people become self-reliant and contribute to the development of the district and the country.
