Tailored Dreams

Meet Samuel Petro. He is from Chikwawa, a district in the Southern Region of Malawi. As one of the poorest countries in the world, over half of Malawi’s population lives in poverty. Beyond subsistence agriculture – which 80% rely on to feed themselves – the vast majority of the country’s youth lack the skills, training and resources to develop new industries and sources of income.

Samuel, the son of smallholder farmers, used to be one of these individuals. Stuck at home, unemployed and unsure what to do with his future, he heard about vocational training opportunities at The Hunger Project’s Majete Epicentre.

Samuel was trained in tailoring for 90 days. With support from his parents and THP’s microfinance program, he was able to buy his own machine to practise his newfound skills. He soon began making some income and paid back his loan.

Today, Samuel is able to make a living tailoring clothes in his community. His income makes it possible to provide household necessities and save for a future beyond his family’s farm.

“I am so happy that I was trained as a tailor. I am now making dresses and other clothes for people and making a living out of it. With this income we are able to buy all that is needed for our household.”

Youth skills and development is an important component of THP’s strategy in Malawi.
Through education and vocational training, individuals like Samuel are empowered to build their own path to sustainable self-reliance.