Congratulations to Two New Graduates
FOCHTA is pleased to announce the graduation of two beneficiaries, Austin Kambalame and Wilson Saikonde at Bunda College of Agriculture, now known as Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR). Wilson received a Bachelor of Science (agriculture) and Austin received a Bachelor of Science (irrigation engineering). They received their certificates recently at a colourful Unima Congregation held at Chancellor College.
Austin is expected to work as an irrigation engineer for the Ministry of Agriculture. His wish is to pursue a Masters Degree in Hydrology or Water Supply Engineering once he can obtain a scholarship.
Wilson is anticipating working as an agriculture expert in the Ministry of Agriculture. He also wishes to pursue a Masters Degree in Human Nutrition and Food Science or Entrepreneurship if he can obtain a scholarship.
Austin and Wilson have expressed their gratitude to their respective sponsors Lynne Oldfield and David Fan for the financial and caring support extended to them throughout the four years of their studies. They also have expressed gratitude to FOCHTA for supporting them in their secondary schooling. They pledged to assist other FOCHTA students in one way or the other either as role models or through mentorship.
Literacy Workshop
Twenty two secondary students from four secondary schools recently attended a literacy workshop. The two-day session was held at the recently built Fochta Vocational Training Centre conducted by facilitators Barton Mwale, a project officer from Concern International, Bryan Naiwala, a youth social worker and Mrs Hilda Ntiya, the chairperson of Fochta Grassroots Committee. They gave talks imparting their knowledge respectively on life skills facilitation, youth behavior change and mentoring,
In addition, some Fochta’s past and present beneficiaries each gave a tuition session on mathematics, English and science subjects to the students attending. They were graduates – Wilson Saikonde, Austine Kambalame - and four undergraduates – John Kenala, Violet Mulozi, Lucius Gawani and Irene Miteche.
The students were especially interested in these learning sessions and remarked on being inspired by what their peers had related to them. It is also the aim of Fochta to create mentorship by tertiary to their secondary counterparts.
In the course of the two days, there were held group counseling, group discussions, brainstorming, basic life skills (decision-making; assertiveness; intra-gender peer support, etc).