About 43 community members in the area of Traditional Authority Chimutu in Lilongwe on Saturday graduated after successfully completing Reflect Circle program.
Reflect circles is an initiative of Winrock International in collaboration with Japan Tobacco International through Achieving Reduction of Child labor in support of education(ARISE) project.
The initiative through Arise programme is designed to impart reading, writing, numerical and development skills to adults to enable them successfully run small scale businesses.
Speaking during the graduation ceremony held at Mchemani school ground on Saturday, the organisations Education and Capacity building specialist Rudoviko Matias said the training is a complementary initiative of women economic empowerment.
“It is aimed at boosting the activities of Women Agribusiness Groups in the area to help fight poverty which is the source of child labour,” he said
Added Matias: “We feel the training will help the beneficiaries be able to read, write and be able to calculate profits in their various businesses,” he said.
The beneficiaries of the training according to Matias are mostly women whose children were withdrawn from child labour.
He said he was impressed that communities in the area were able to come up with needs on addressing issues of child labour.
Assistant Community Development officer for Lilongwe Allan Chirupani thanked the organisation for helping reduce illiteracy rate in the area.
“Iam hopeful that the women will be able to make informed decisions and engage in viable businesses.
He further said the literacy program will help women be able to know whether they are making profits in their businesses.
One of the graduating student, village head Zelifa Phwetekere( GVH Kumbumbira) was on cloud nine after receiving her certificate saying the initiative has sharpened her business skills and a catalyst for various development programmes in her area.
The graduands were decorated with certificates of completion.
During the ceremony, communities members showcased various activities they are doing to help end child labour.
