Youth empowerment programs by Mavambo pay off

Harare (New Ziana) – Youth empowerment programs by Mavambo Orphan Care, a charity which supports adolescents living with HIV, are paying off with beneficiaries showcasing their work at Chabwino Primary School in Goromonzi on Friday.

During a visit to the area, United States Agency for International Development (USAID) mission director, Janean Davis expressed admiration for the youths’ work on display for sale that included windowpanes, axes, doughnuts, petroleum jelly and school uniforms.

The adolescents, aged 9 to 18, were part of a USAID-supported skills training programme in which practical subjects such as welding, baking and many other courses were taught to enable them to contribute to society gainfully, financially.

Linda Chigondo (20) is one of the beneficiaries of Mavambo and had this to say: “I can now sustain myself and my family with welding and I earn at least US$60 per month. With drug abuse on the rise, I think I was saved since I will be occupied all the time and will be in the right environment.”

Echoing similar sentiments, another beneficiary, Obadiah Matienga (18) from Kutama Farm also said: “I started my course in 2022 and graduated, I was given a welding machine, safety shoes and all the equipment needed to start welding by Mavambo and now I can support my family and myself with the work I am doing.”

Mavambo Vana Orphan Care’s main targets are children and adolescents living with HIV, exposed infants, children of sex workers and survivors of sexual violence.

The non-governmental organisation was established in Zimbabwe in 2001 and started its programs in 2003.
New Ziana