By Llywellenie Mpasa:
When 28-year-old Jessie Paul from Abudu Village under Traditional Authority (T/A) Mbela in Balaka District looks back at her life, she sees a story of resilience, empowerment and transformation.
Once a divorced young woman struggling to find her footing, she now describes herself as “living her dream” in a rural village, thanks to tailoring skills acquired through the Technical, Entrepreneurial and Vocational Education and Training Authority (Teveta).
After completing a tailoring course at the Mbera Community Skills Development Centre in T/A Chembela, Jessie took a bold step:
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With only her skills, knowledge and determination, she rented a sewing machine at K20,000 a month and established her own tailoring shop.
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Today, she makes over K200,000 monthly from her craft, an achievement she says has not only sustained her household economically but also restored her confidence.
“I never thought I would be here today, running my own business and living happily,” Jessie says with a smile.
“I am now able to take care of my needs and also support others in my community.”
What makes Jessie’s story remarkable is not only her financial independence but also her role in empowering others. She has employed two trainees at her shop, passing on the art of tailoring and fashion design.
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For a young woman who once struggled with limited opportunities, Jessie has become a beacon of hope and a role model for others in her community.
Her journey was not straightforward. After writing her Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE), Jessie did not perform well academically. With few options ahead, she got married, only for the union to break down due to family problems, leaving her divorced and uncertain about her future.
It was at this critical point that she heard about Teveta introducing a mobile training school in her area. Without hesitation, Jessie was the first to apply. The rest, as she puts it, “is history.”
“I am a happy lady making ends meet and contributing to my community,” she said.
Jessie is one of many success stories emerging from Balaka through Teveta’s Informal Apprenticeship Programme, a model designed to empower rural youth with technical skills that translate directly into economic opportunities.
Take the example of Edwin Khamula, another graduate from the same centre, who has ventured into electrical installation.
Armed with hands-on training, Edwin now earns a living wiring houses, installing electrical systems, and repairing appliances in his community.
“I make a decent profit while also helping families in my area access safe and reliable electricity,” he said.
With his skills, Edwin is supporting his household and gaining recognition as a reliable technician.
Amos Kamande is a carpenter with practical skills. He makes home furniture and roof structures. His business is thriving, with a simple but effective model of turning local materials into high-value products.
“I am able to make a bed worth K250,000 by investing K100,000 in materials. This is how I am supporting my household,” he said.
These are not isolated cases. Across Balaka, and indeed other districts where Teveta is rolling out community-based skills development programmes, young men and women are breaking barriers, creating employment and contributing to local economies.
Teveta Director of Training Programmes Modesto Gomani said the programme is a deliberate effort to take skills training to the people, especially in rural areas where opportunities are often scarce.
“The Informal Apprenticeship Programme has proven to empower youth in rural communities with technical skills to boost economic independence, reduce poverty, and support Malawi’s Vision 2063,” Gomani said .
He was speaking in Balaka when he presided over the graduation of 74 learners, including 34 girls, from Mbera Community Skills Development Centre.
He emphasised that Teveta is committed to ensuring rural communities access the same quality of training as offered in national technical colleges.
To achieve this, Teveta recently strengthened the Mbera Centre with a K15 million equipment donation, making it possible for learners to train with modern tools.
“We have made a strategic move to ensure women also become part of the skills development agenda. We are working with traditional leaders to encourage girls to join and using role models like Jessie to inspire others. Our goal is to achieve a 50-50 balance between male and female participation,” he said.
The youth were equipped with skills in tailoring, carpentry, bricklaying, welding, fabrication and electrical installation.
Lawrence Kalinga, Director of Administration at Balaka District Council, commended the initiative, noting that the training is empowering communities and creating pathways to self-reliance.
“After the first cohort of graduates, over 100 people have already registered for the second intake,” Kalinga said.
“Receiving equipment will enhance the growth of the school, making it a sustained project that can advance from mobile training to a fully-fledged residential training institution,” he said.
He said by empowering rural youth with practical, income-generating skills, Teveta is helping build a foundation for a future where communities thrive through self-reliance and innovation.
T/A Mbela said the initiative is already yielding fruit, with young people supporting their families and avoiding social vices.
“Young people were just moving around during market days without anything tangible to do. Teveta is now empowering our community,” the chief said.
