Chama Youth Resource Centre was ablaze when the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts presented start up kits financed by ZANACO to the graduating youths. Chama district, a cozy calm settlement in the Eastern Province of Zambia prides itself in the amazing mountainous landscapes that beautify its majestic nature.
The Ministry embarked on a journey to honor the 252 youths who graduated at the Centre that offers various skills development courses.Sounds of ululations for joy where heard at the 2nd graduation ceremony where the community got to see the students who excelled in the following courses: design, cutting and tailoring (83), bricklaying and plastering (77), carpentry and joinery (53), information and communication technology (39).
The graduates were given start up kits which empowers them with suitable tools to enable them set up businesses and participate in economic development of the country. Gracing the occasion was Director of Youth, Davies Muunga who read a speech on behalf of Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts Permanent Secretary, Kangwa Chileshe who noted that the community will be an income earner.
“skills development plays a critical role in the country in enhancing socio-economic development through employment and wealth creation. Empowerment of the young people with relevant contemporary skills ensures that young people make a smooth transition to the labour market and self-employment.“ Mr. Chileshe appreciated President Hakinde Hichilema for prioritizing the affairs of the youth in the Country. And the President encouraged the youths to create specific preferential public procurement programs targeting the purchase of good and services from the youth owned enterprises.
ZANACO’s Lundazi Branch manager Mishek Liyati said the Bank was elated to assist the youths develop their entrepreneurship skills. “the students are happy to be getting tools for the first time which is an encouragement to all of us, and government has really worked hard to make sure that such things should improve their livelihoods.” ZANACO had earlier released K1,000,000 within the course of this year for start up kits in the various centers and graduates from Chama Youth resource center where at hand to receive them.
Center manager Moses Kavwanaga urged the youths to make good use of the assets acquired in making great businesses which will add value to Eastern Province and the nation at large. “The Core Value of the program is in skills training which plays a critical role in enhancing socio-economic development through employment and wealth creation.
The Ministry of Youth, Sports and Arts have centers country wide that provide various life long skills. Among some of the programs that are being run thy the ministry are; the national youth scheme targeting to empower very vulnerable youth with grants ranging from K1000 to K5000 to start up small businesses for self-sustenance. Secondly is the youth graduate empowerment programme which targets to empower graduates with suitable tools to enable them set up businesses and participate in the economic development of the country. And the general empowerment program is the one which targets to empower vulnerable youth with cash or material loans for improved livelihood and job creation.
So far the national youth scheme has helped empower 1,720 youths in Northern and Luapula province this year. Other beneficiaries where from the Eastern province which saw 120 youth acquire motorbikes through general empowerment. Other sources of funds that youths can take advantage of is the constituency development fund (CDF) which enables access of empowerment funds for business development, skills training and educational bursaries.
Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts.
Media and PR unit.
