Phale impressed with N’zatonse Project

Malawi: Enock Phale, Deputy Minister of Health, has expressed his admiration for the N'zatonse project, which provides Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) knowledge and vocational skills to youth in various districts across the country.

Phale expressed his satisfaction with the project after visiting the Ntchisi district on Thursday.

Phale said: “I am so happy with how N’zatonse project is being coordinated in Ntchisi district, when I went to Malomo, I noticed that quite a good number of young people boys and girls are attaining different skills in welding as well as carpentry and joinery.”

“These young people have really gained the skills that can sustain them financially and it is impressive, this is what we want as government.”

He added that based on his observations during the implementation of the N'zatonse project in Ntchisi, the country would develop more positively if the government and non-governmental organisations worked together more effectively (NGOs).

“Through the project, I have seen that PSI Malawi together with its partners is putting together initiatives aimed at improving the livelihood of young people by socially and economically empowering them apart from providing them with SRH knowledge,” said Phale.

He also stated that the way NGOs are coordinating the N'zatonse project, particularly in providing SRH information to the youth, will aid in achieving the universal health coverage that his ministry seeks.

The N'zatonse project is being implemented in the country by a consortium of organisations, including PSI Malawi and Norwegian Church Aid (NCA)/ Danish Church Aid (DCA) Malawi, with funding from the German government through KFW.

Paul M'manjamwada, NCA/DCA Malawi Programmes Manager, stated that the project has made tremendous progress in all areas where it is being implemented.

“Currently we have made tremendous progress as communities in the areas where the project is being implemented are now talking much about SRH and apart from attaining vocational skills, youth are also able to openly say about SRH and where they can actually access its services,” M’manjamwada said.

One of the youth from Ntchisi district, Madeso Youth Club, Happiness Kapangama, aged 19, stated that the N'zatonse project has benefited them greatly as a club.

"As a club, we have benefited greatly from the project in that some of our club members have gained vocational skills and are now able to support themselves financially."

"We have also gained extensive knowledge about SRH and are now able to prevent Sexually Transmitted Diseases as well as unwanted pregnancies," she added.