YOUTH, WOMEN IN MZIMBA HAIL GOVT’S ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION DRIVE
By Aamon Butao
Some youths and women in Mzimba district have applauded government through the Financial Access for Rural Markets, Smallholders and Enterprise (FARMSE) project for rescuing them from the jaws of poverty.
Using $57,700 funds, the project commenced in July 2018 targeting more than 400 thousands rural households in 20 districts.
Through interventions by one of its implementing partners, Save the Children, government has helped youths and women in Mzimba district to become financially stable by establishing businesses.
Save the Children, under the umbrella of FARMSE, is empowering youths and women in Mzimba district to be economically sound.
Some of the youths have started small businesses, a departure from previous lifestyle of constantly being engaged in immoral behaviors as a result of idleness.
24-year-old Richard Kamanga from Paramount Chief Mbelwa’s area is a happy young man having being trained in carpentry and has big dreams of setting up a small shop to train other youths.
The project has also opened many doors for Reuben Jeka, who failed to enroll at Mzuzu University due to financial hiccups.
"I am optimistic that the tailoring skills I have acquired will help me to grow economically as I will have a shop of my own," said Jeka.
Jeka, however, encouraged other young people who failed to finish school to strive to become self reliant.
In her remarks, visually impaired Flora Nyirongo from Kapaika village in Traditional Authority Khosolo in Mzimba district disclosed that the FARMSE project has propelled her to venture into entrepreneurship including farming.
Nyirongo said with a capital of MWK147, 000, she is now able to run a business.
"I urge other persons with disability not to let disability be a limiting factor," said Nyirongo.
Speaking to Timveni, FARMSE Ultra Poor Graduation Specialist Obrien Mandala expressed happiness that the program is transforming many people’s lives.
He said when the project wraps up in 2025, he wants every Malawian is be economically empowered.
In Mzimba district, FARMSE is targeting 4220 ultra poor households with cash injection of more than MWK1. 6 Billion.
