 First Lady, Maureen Mwanawasa, says the Maureen Mwanawasa Community Initative, MMCI, with support from cooperating partners is working a robust programme meant to engage the youth in economic programmes in the country.
Mrs. Mwanawasa said the MMCI is aware that over 68 per cent of the Zambian
population comprise the youth that require income generating ventures for them to
cope with economic challenges.
She observed that government has embarked on developmental projects that encompass youth programmes aimed at alleviating poverty among the people.
The first lady was responding to questions raised by some youths inb Nakonde who
wanted to know whether the MMCI would render financial assistance to youth skills
training centres in the area.
Speaking on behalf of the youths, Yande Nakazwe, said youths in Nakonde lack
recreation and skills training facilities.
She said the district, being a border town and with increased unemployment levels,
has seen a sharp increase in youths neing vulnerable to anti social vices.
She said youths are indulging in illicit sex, drug abuse and other vices that
subject them the risk of contracting the HIV/AIDS.
She implored other organisations and cooperating institutions in the district such
as Talent Development Programme, World Vision Zambia and Single Parent Association
of Zambia to increasde focus on helping providing skills and income generating
ventures to the youth.
She stressed that youth empowerment is a very critical issue because it provides a
foundation for the future leadership of the country.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Mwanawasa has implored women in Nakonde district to take advantage of the policy that allows government to allocate 30 per cent of land to women.
She observed that women should acquire and use the land acquired as collateral when
accessing finances from the banks.
She employed women in the rural areas to form cooperatives for them to have ease
access to farming inputs through the Fertilizer Support Programme.
She was speaking when she addressed women from various clubs and organisations in
Nakonde today.
And speaking on behalf of the women, Elizabeth Musani, said called for the
incorporation of women in the developmental projects that government is implementing
.
She said Nakonde district is lagging behind in terms of development because wome,
who are the major partners, have been sidelined on the development process.
Nakonde District Commissioner, Edwin Sinyinza, said the district has a mammoth task
of uplift the living standards of the people.
