Leadership and Development

Members of Umodzi Youth Club in Mangochi district have translated entrepreneurship training into action by establishing a vegetable garden aimed at improving their livelihoods and promoting self-reliance.

This development follows an economic empowerment session that was conducted by YONECO in 2025. The session encouraged young people to engage in agribusiness and other income-generating activities. During a follow-up visit, club members demonstrated commendable progress in enhancing their socio-economic status.

The youth have cultivated vegetables including r**e, Chinese cabbage, and mustard greens, whilst also seeking technical support from agricultural extension officers to strengthen their farming skills.

The club members expressed their hope to inspire fellow youths to view agriculture as a profitable business and revealed plans to venture into goat and poultry farming.

"We are eager to sustain and expand our agribusiness activities in order to realise long-term economic growth," explained the Club's Chairperson.

YONECO, in partnership with the Machinjiri Child Protection Case Conference Committee, conducted a child protection awareness session at Namilango Primary School in Machinjiri, Blnatyre.

The session educated learners on child rights, personal safety, the importance of education, and the dangers of early pregnancies, drug abuse, violence, and negative peer influence.

Speaking during the event, Headmistress Eullalia Namakuwa commended the initiative, saying the school faces challenges such as bullying, gang-related activities, and substance abuse among learners.

The outreach directly reached 1,366 learners, including 701 boys and 665 girls, and similar sessions are expected at South Lunzu and Nanjiriri primary schools.