Youth from various communities have been receiving entrepreneurial and digital skills training from Computer Clinic Ltd. Entrepreneurship lasts for two weeks, while digital skills last for four. So far, Kauma Lilongwe, Salima Nsangu, and Ntchisi Boma have all benefited from the training.. Out of the 176 young people who received training from Kauma-Lilongwe, the top 15 were chosen for additional evaluation with the goal of locating attachment possibilities.
During the graduation that was conducted in Kauma, the Deputy Mayor of Lilongwe, Councillor Esther Sagawa, pledged to recruit trainees for her security system installation business. As of right now, she has committed to contacting the Computer Clinic for the trained young people when the need arises. This is a great opportunity for these trainees to advance their knowledge in ICT.
FIG Deputy Mayor of Lilongwe, her worship Councilor Esther Sagawa
Ellen Yassin, one of the learners, discussed her life’s journey and how the training changed it. “My name is Ellen Yassin,” she introduced herself. I’d like to share a short, straightforward account of my life in relation to the Digital Skills training provided by Computer Clinic in Kauma/Area 41. I am a 35-year-old lady who successfully completed my secondary education in 2008. After completing the Form 4 examinations, I bravely applied to Lilongwe Technical College to study secretariat administration, but due to lack of money, it was impossible to master all topics at all levels. But even though I learned there, they didn’t really teach us anything, so I struggled to operate a computer.
Ellen receives her certificate from Sagawa
She went on to describe what it was like when she applied for a job as an office assistant at a technical college in 2020 but was disappointed to find that there were no computers there to help her work faster because she had to do everything manually.
“However, this did not sit well with me once more. I was wondering a lot of things, such as, How can I become well-versed in computers given that I do not have money. My goal in life was to learn a lot about computers, and since technology is advancing quickly, I shouldn’t fall behind,” she continued. It was in March of this year, 2023, when she heard that at Kauma, a certain Organization called Computer Clinic had come up with a project to train young people in digital skills. She enrolled instantly so that she could fulfill her dreams.
“During the training, I learned a lot of things, like what a computer is and how Microsoft Packages like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint work,” Yassin added. I can now open Word, type documents, save them, and perform many other things. I can also open Excel because it has cells, rows, and columns that make it easy to enter values, insert rows, insert columns, enter data, perform simple calculations, refer to cells, and use a few formulas—tables and instructions on how to make charts in Excel. In addition, I learned how to add a new slide, change the layout, and use PowerPoint.
IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP
In Ntchisi, students gathered eagerly to engage themselves in a journey of learning and growth from August 28 through September 8, 2023. They learned the fundamentals of entrepreneurship during the program, which helped them see the opportunities that lay ahead. They absorbed information on how to conceptualize business ideas and create thorough business plans with zeal and determination. It became clear that something unusual was happening as the first week went on. Students weren’t only passive recipients of knowledge; they were also aggressive, creative, and prepared to pursue their business aspirations. The preparation and presentation of their company proposals was the training’s high point. These were not merely presentations; rather, these were passionate, prepared pitches that demonstrated the breadth of their comprehension.Entrepreneurship class in session
Entrepreneurship class in session
The students’ spirit of cooperation and mentoring was what really made this course stand out. A few participants quickly formed groups, establishing a friendly atmosphere to support one another. They set off on a voyage to explore the organic fertilizer industry as a potential business venture. It was encouraging to see how committed they were to sharing knowledge.
PIC: Organic manure they produced in groups
A student who proposed a business proposal focused on fish farming in Ntchisi is one such instance. His concept was not just distinct but also firmly grounded in environmentally friendly practices that might help the neighborhood. These young businesspeople expressed their goals and ideas, making Ntchisi’s future look more promising.
PIC: Entrepreneurship student pitching a business plan
The success story of Computer Clinic Limited’s entrepreneurship training in Ntchisi is one of empowerment, transformation, and the birth of a new generation of entrepreneurs. These students not only gained knowledge but also the confidence to pursue their dreams and make a positive impact on their community. This training is a stepping stone towards a brighter, more prosperous future for Ntchisi and its residents, thanks to the vision and dedication of Computer Clinic Limited and the support of the Digital Malawi project.
In conclusion, from the sites that have been trained and graduated, Computer Clinic has identified the best 15 trainees from each site that it intends to help find internship opportunities with organizations. In addition, it plans to select some young people through the MSME portal who should become trainers, register businesses, and do data entry. They would be provided with equipment, so they should operate as support for the portal from their locations.