Seventy two (72) students have successfully graduated in various skills, under the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services, with a call for them to take advantage of Government’s empowerment initiatives for them to be self sustainable.

Speaking when she graced the graduation ceremony held at the Holy Family Home Craft Centre in Lusaka ,Director for Community Development, Mrs Patricia Muyamwa, encouraged the graduates to take advantage of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) by forming cooperatives in order to monetize their various skills.

She said skills earned in tailoring and designing, cooking and baking, knitting and handicrafts, home management and moral and spiritual instructions, are enough to help graduates to improve their lives.

“Some of you will be empowered by government through loans to set up your businesses, while others will be able to find jobs, these are ways of fighting poverty in society” Mrs Muyamwa said, and observed that the good picture portrayed after the graduation, will encourage other community members to pursue different courses.

She said government has provided a conducive policy environment for skills development as well as empowerment through various channels, key among them, the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), which graduates should take advantage of.

And Holy Family Homecraft Centre, sister in Charge, Sr Magdaline Wanja Munyua, thanked government through the Ministry, for the financial and moral support rendered in achieving the highest number of graduates at the centre.

Sr. Magdaline further appealed to well wishers to support the centre with materials or finances which can support the vulnerable students.

Meanwhile, Chawama area Councillor , Mr Ponsilio Phiri, encouraged the graduates to seek help from his office with regards to CDF empowerment programmes, adding that opportunities are readily available waiting for them to tap into them.