Chiefs from Lilongwe district have welcomed the bursary programme that will see vulnerable people acquiring technical skills.

The bursary programme is under the partnership between Skills and Technical Skills Programme (STEP) and Don Bosco Youth Technical Institute.

STEP is an initiative funded by the European Union (EU) and partially implemented by UNESCO.

Forty chiefs attended the launch of the bursary programme in the area of Senior Chief Kalolo in the district.

Senior Chief Kalolo thanked Don Bosco College and its partners for considering his area to be one of the few areas selected to benefit from the bursary programme.

“I thank Don Bosco Technical Institute for this kind of programme that is going to assist the vulnerable people in my area”, Chief Kalolo said.

Taking his turn, Senior Chief Zambo described the initiative as timely.

“The bursary project has come at the right time, currently the economic status for the orphans, widows, people with albinism and people living with HIV is pathetic”, she said.

Senior Chief Zambo believes that the initiative will empower the beneficiaries economically.

The bursary programme for Don Bosco Youth Technical Institute programme which will run in Lilongwe district, will prioritize single mothers, men and women with disabilities, men and women living with albinism, and men and women living with HIV/AIDS. It is targeting 50 beneficiaries.

Don Bosco Youth Technical Institute with its pool of experienced and skilled expertise will facilitate the delivery of the necessary skills and knowledge in the following trades; Carpentry and Joinery, Solar basic application training, Tailoring and Fashion Design, Brick Laying, Welding and Fabrication, Basic Business Management, Entrepreneurship and Screen Printing.

Team Leader for STEP, Arthur Shears says the aim of the bursary programme is to ensure that vulnerable groups are financially independent.

Reported by Don Bosco Youth Technical Institute