Source: Over 200 young people receive vocational training and equipment under the YTCDT programme – herald
Muchaneta Chimuka
OVER 200 youths from Domboshova under headman Parirehwa, have received an assortment of equipment from Youth Together for Community Development and Transformation (YTCDT) that will enable them to engage in income-generating projects.
Youth Together for Community Development and Transformation is an organisation which fights for the development of youths in different areas in Mashonaland East province.
YTCDT director Mr Macdonald Dandazi said the equipment will enable the 200 youths to engage in different trades such as mechanics, sewing, construction, welding, baking, among others.
“Our organisation, which was established in 2018, aims to provide rural youth and women with equipment that will help develop their communities and reduce drug abuse,” he said.
“We are working with local leadership, churches, widows, child-headed families, business people, among others, to ensure that they have the tools to kick-start their jobs.
“In the previous year, we provided them with training; now it’s time they implemented what they had learnt and started earning a living.
“We want to reduce drug and substance abuse, theft crimes, and gender-based violence through equipping young people with the requisite skills that suit their environments.”
He said they sourced the equipment from their funding partner abroad, and they will constantly monitor to ensure that they are well utilised.
“We are a youth-focused organisation that offers vocational training, youth empowerment and transformation, community development, and environmental sustainability,” he said.
“We have given starter packs to more than 200 young people in Mashonaland East Province so that they can make money whilst they are in their communities.
“Hard work brings success is our motto, and we hope to see them thriving. If funds permit, we hope to cascade to other provinces such that no one and no village is left behind in these developmental initiatives.”
He applauded President Emmerson Mnangagwa for driving youth empowerment initiatives in both rural and urban communities
Mrs Tatenda Makombe, whose son was among the beneficiaries, said: “This programme is important because it allows young people to earn a living.
“Last year, a group of young people was helped by this type of equipment, and we are seeing a massive change in their lives,” he said.
“Some are even being called by some big companies to make doors and window frames, build houses and to repair vehicles.
“My son Tatenda has some disabilities, but I’m happy he was included in this programme and is doing amazing things.”
Mrs Makombe, who was overjoyed, said she was not aware that her son was capable of working independently.
“I encourage fellow parents whose children have disabilities not to shut them out from the rest of the world,” she said.
“They should allow their children to acquire these life development skills, and they will see wonders. I was not even certain if my son could do it, but daily, he used to come here for training. He was very committed, and we love the energy.
“He can repair vehicles and sew clothes. We no longer keep him confined at home as we used to do.”
Pastor Michael Zira of the Apostolic Faith Church says he grew up doing manual labour, hence the assistance he received will improve his work.
“I have noticed that as Pastors, it is not healthy to wait for church offering because at times you will be hurt when you receive nothing, therefore I have joined this team of young people so that we can help each other with skills. I am specialised in welding, which I started at a tender age,” he said.
Tinotenda Tsunga, a member of the YTCDT, said as an organisation they saw it fit to support vulnerable members of the communities with tools of trade after the training, thereby empowering them.
“We want to reduce the burden of travelling for most rural communities, especially when they want to purchase building material, which is why we decided to bring businesses into their locality, as these young people make them. We also help them in finding markets,” he added.
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