The Girls Shine Foundation has today, 12th September 2025, awarded certificates to students who have completed vocational training in computer studies, tailoring and design, and welding as one way of empowering the youth.
The ceremony, held at Mtandire in Lilongwe, marks the completion of a short course designed to provide practical, marketable skills to young girls from various educational backgrounds.
One of the certified trainees, Naomi Sankhani, expressed her gratitude to the foundation, stating the course has given her a foundational knowledge of electronic devices like laptops and printers.
Aspiring to become a journalist, Sankhani believes these skills are essential for her future career.
She has however urged her peers to work hard, emphasizing that the foundation supports those who show potential.
The acting coordinator for the Girls Shine Foundation, Divason Satha explained that the vocational training serves as a preventative measure against common societal challenges such as early marriages, pregnancies, and school dropouts.
Satha shared success stories of girls who, after participating in the program, were re-enrolled in school with the foundation’s help.
Despite facing financial constraints that limit the foundation’s ability to reach girls in distant areas, Satha remains determined.
“What I want is just for them to be protected against all challenges,” Satha said, reiterating his belief that education is the key to creating lasting change for girls in Malawi.
He noted that the Ministry of Education has granted them authorization to work in schools, a key step in expanding their reach.
In his remarks, George Chikafa, a computer teacher from the partner institution Edit Center Computer Training, praised the students’ dedication and expressed confidence that the skills acquired will contribute to Malawi’s development.
“We are living in the world of information technology. This country needs to be changed,” he said.
The initiative targets students who are currently in primary and junior secondary school, and those who have completed their Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE) with an aim of bridging the gap between academic education and practical skills, preparing young women for both further studies and the workforce.
By Eric Norman Mkwaira
