Balaka is among the districts in Malawi where child neglect is a common malpractice which consequently leads into increased cases of school dropout, child marriages and commercial sexual exploitation of children among other challenges.
Thus, YONECO established a Youth Drop in Centre (DIC) where young people are imparted with necessary life skills for them to make informed decisions. Further to this, YONECO has also facilitated the establishment of parenting circles in strategic areas across the district.
Recently, the DIC donated some scholastic materials to secondary school girls who patronize facility. The recipients are those who got selected from primary to various secondary schools this year. The gesture is meant to encourage the girls to work hard in school and to inspire others to follow suit.
“The knowledge we acquired through the various life skills sessions from the centre really helped me to keep my dream alive and I am happy that I successfully completed my primary school education” explained one of the girls who received the scholastic materials Magret Chikauda – 14 years old.
