A government program called Cawep, backed by the UNDP, trained over two hundred young people in the Saba area of Binga. It taught them trades like sewing, welding, building, cosmetology, and solar installation. For many women, this meant moving from having no income and depending on their husbands to earning their own money.
One woman, Elie Mudhimba, learned sewing and building. She now makes clothes for her family and for sale, and she trains others in her community, like Fatima Sibanda. Another, Prisca Munsaka, expanded her braiding business with new cosmetology skills in makeup and nails, plus business management. In technical fields, welder Khumbulani Muleya went from doing small repair jobs for little cash to fabricating carts and steel boats that sell for hundreds of dollars. He is also training other young men now.
The program included access to loans. Joyce Mwembe used a two-thousand-dollar loan and business training to grow a mobile vending operation into a permanent shop. While many benefited, some, like solar installer Steven Muleya, still face hurdles like a lack of equipment to actually use their new skills. The local traditional leader, Chief Saba, praised the initiative for giving youth a productive focus and useful skills, urging them to keep teaching others in the community.
One woman, Elie Mudhimba, learned sewing and building. She now makes clothes for her family and for sale, and she trains others in her community, like Fatima Sibanda. Another, Prisca Munsaka, expanded her braiding business with new cosmetology skills in makeup and nails, plus business management. In technical fields, welder Khumbulani Muleya went from doing small repair jobs for little cash to fabricating carts and steel boats that sell for hundreds of dollars. He is also training other young men now.
The program included access to loans. Joyce Mwembe used a two-thousand-dollar loan and business training to grow a mobile vending operation into a permanent shop. While many benefited, some, like solar installer Steven Muleya, still face hurdles like a lack of equipment to actually use their new skills. The local traditional leader, Chief Saba, praised the initiative for giving youth a productive focus and useful skills, urging them to keep teaching others in the community.
