The Mazzarello Skills Training Centre, located along Chimese Road in Mansa District, Luapula Province, has become a source of hope for young people seeking a second chance in life. Established in 2004 by the Salesian Sisters of Don Bosco, the centre provides vocational skills training that equips vulnerable young people, women and men with practical skills for employment and self-employment.
Supported by the Technical Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training Authority (TEVETA), the centre offers a three-month Grade Three tailoring programme designed to equip participants with marketable skills while promoting discipline, self-confidence and Christian values.
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According to the Principal, Sr. Christabel Ngosa, the centre was established in response to the growing number of young people who had dropped out of school or lacked the financial means to continue their education.
“Our charism is to educate and evangelise young people, especially the vulnerable. Those who do not have the resources to go to school, we are there to help,” she said.
Since its establishment, the centre has trained hundreds of students, many of whom have gone on to establish tailoring businesses, secure employment or return to the centre as instructors to mentor others.
Graduate Nora Mayembe shared how she began sewing garments by hand because she could not afford a sewing machine. Through determination and by saving the profits from her work, she eventually purchased her own machine before later returning to the centre as a trainer. Today, she runs a successful tailoring business, supports her family and mentors aspiring entrepreneurs.
Current students also described the training as life-changing. In addition to acquiring tailoring skills, they said the Sisters have created a supportive environment that promotes respect, faith and personal development. Several students explained that the programme has enabled them to pursue their passion for fashion and design, while others said it had helped steer them away from harmful habits and given them renewed hope for the future.
Instructor Judith Chikumbi said many students join the programme with little or no experience in tailoring and often find it difficult to operate a sewing machine. However, through regular practical instruction and encouragement, they gradually gain confidence and develop the skills required to produce quality garments.
She said the most rewarding aspect of her work is seeing students apply the skills they have acquired to earn a living and support themselves and their families. She encouraged young people who have left school or are unemployed to consider vocational training, saying tailoring offers an opportunity to become self-reliant and build a sustainable livelihood.
Despite its achievements, the centre continues to face a number of challenges, particularly in securing sufficient financial resources to support students who cannot afford training fees. Sr. Ngosa explained that while TEVETA’s support has been invaluable, additional resources are needed to sustain and expand the programme.
Looking to the future, the centre plans to broaden its vocational training by introducing courses in food production and beauty therapy. These additional programmes are expected to create more opportunities for graduates to secure employment in restaurants, hotels, lodges and the beauty industry.
Through education, faith and practical skills, the Salesian Sisters continue to transform lives, demonstrating that vocational training can provide a pathway out of poverty and towards self-reliance.
The story of Mazzarello Skills Training Centre highlights how Catholic Sisters are empowering communities by investing in people and equipping them with the skills they need to build brighter futures for themselves and their families.
Watch the full documentary to hear inspiring stories from the Sisters, students, graduates and instructors whose lives have been transformed through vocational skills training.
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