Participants listen attentively to Malange

International Visitor Alumna Conducts Capacity Building for Youth NGO’s

Working with National Youth Council (NYCOM) and United Nations Development Program (UNDP), International Visitor Program alumna Sitabene Malange conducted a three day workshop on the “Project Management Cycle” for youth NGO's at the  Public Affairs Auditorium in Lilongwe.   Participants included 38 program officers from various youth-focused NGO's in the Central Region.  The objectives of the program were to train participants in the project life cycle from designing to evaluation, to facilitate networking activities amongst the members of NYCOM, and to foster the spirit of volunteerism among the participants.

This training was the first step towards Ms. Malange’s initiative to set up a youth volunteer program to be administered by NYCOM.  In his opening remarks Mr. Alex Mseka, National Youth Council Executive Director said the training was long overdue and thanked the Malawi -U.S. Exchange Alumni Association (MUSEAA) and Public Affairs for arranging the program.  Mr. Mseka also quoted President John F. Kennedy to support his message on volunteerism: “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.”

As part of their social responsibility program, Cresta Hotel Limited donated $300 to sponsor the program.  Presenting the cheque to MUSEAA, Mr. Haroon Sacranie, Chairman of Cresta Limited said the idea of working with the youth appealed to him because they have a crucial role to play in Malawi's development.

At the end of the program, participants were enthusiastic to go back to their work places to implement their newly acquired skills.   The program was an excellent opportunity for the NYCOM to interact with members of youth-oriented NGO's, to discuss the challenges they face and ways forward.   Once established, the youth volunteerism program will be central the work of the Council, as it will provide a structure within which young people without work can improve themselves and contribute to Malawi's development.