In a ground breaking initiative, Young Hearts Life Skills Hub, a project of Apostolic Church of Pentecost Mufakose Assembly, recently hosted an entrepreneurship workshop in the community of Mufakose.
The event aimed to equip young people with essential life skills, bridging the gap in access to capacity-building opportunities in the area. For this particular session, the hub partnered with VAST School of Human Capital Development, bringing in expert facilitators to share valuable insights and knowledge.
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Life skills training is a vital component of youth development, enabling young individuals to navigate life’s challenges with confidence and resilience. By acquiring skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and communication, young people can make informed decisions, set goals, and work towards achieving them. Unfortunately, such platforms are scarce in disadvantaged communities like Mufakose, where young people need them the most.
The entrepreneurship workshop, attended by over 50 young participants, covered topics such as business planning, financial management, and marketing. Facilitators shared practical insights and experiences, encouraging participants to explore their passions and turn them into sustainable ventures.
One participant, 19-year-old Tendai, expressed gratitude for the opportunity: “I never knew I had the potential to start my own business. This workshop has opened my eyes to new possibilities.”
The Young Hearts Life Skills Hub was born out of a desire to address the prevalence of drug abuse in Mufakose, which had become a pressing concern during the lockdown. With many young people idle and vulnerable to negative influences, the hub’s founders saw an opportunity to provide a safe space for growth and development. And it’s working – many young people now prefer attending the hub’s sessions to being idle, and the community has seen a notable decrease in drug abuse cases.
Encouraged by this success, the hub’s coordinators are now expanding their scope to address other pressing issues in the community.
“We have seen first-hand the impact that targeted interventions can have on young lives,” said Sandra, the hub coordinator. “We’re committed to continuing this work and exploring new ways to support our young people.”
Sandra further emphasised the hub’s mission, stating, “The Young Hearts Life Skills Hub is an extension of our youth ministry, aligned with propagating the gospel of Christ and reaching out in practical ways to our communities. We are committed to empowering young people with the skills, knowledge, and values necessary to lead purposeful lives and become positive change-makers in their communities.”
The Young Hearts Life Skills Hub would like to extend its heartfelt gratitude to VAST International for their invaluable contribution to the entrepreneurship workshop. Not only did their expert facilitators share insightful knowledge and practical skills with our young participants, but they also demonstrated their commitment to empowering the next generation by awarding a few individuals with books and reference materials.
This generous gesture will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on the recipients, providing them with a wealth of information and resources to further their personal and professional growth. VAST International’s willingness to invest in the future of our young people is a testament to their dedication to making a positive difference in the community.
Their contribution has not only enhanced the learning experience but has also instilled a sense of motivation and encouragement among our young participants. We are truly thankful for VAST International’s partnership and look forward to continuing our collaboration to empower more young lives. The Young Hearts Life Skills Hub is actively seeking out partnerships to better the lives of these young people.
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“We believe that collaboration is key to creating lasting impact,” said Sandra, the hub coordinator. “By working together with organisations like VAST, we can pool our resources and expertise to provide comprehensive support to our young people.”
The success of the entrepreneurship workshop demonstrates the impact that targeted interventions can have on young lives. As the Young Hearts Life Skills Hub continues to expand its offerings and forge new partnerships, it is clear that the future of Mufakose’s young people is brighter than ever.
