“Being a Watipa scholar, acts as a motivation to do more for my community.”

Prudence Chavula, Watipa Scholar, Malawi

Here at Watipa, it is our view that everyone should have the opportunity to discover and develop their talents. It is not only in the future when societies will benefit from the ideas, creativity, wisdom and leadership of young people; societies around the world will also benefit today. But we need collectively need to listen, learn, enable and let young people take space and lead.

Unfortunately however, young people are continuously exposed to lower quality jobs, greater labour inequality and longer, more insecure school-to-work transitions. Existing systems are failing to address the learning needs of many young people, all around the world. Surveys of learning outcomes and skills show that a large number of young people have low levels of achievements in basic literacy and numeracy.

Young people are almost three times more likely to be unemployed than adults. Skills and jobs for young people feature prominently in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and Sustainable Development Goal 4.4 calls or a substantial increase in the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills. On 15th July, World Youth Skills Day was celebrated around the world. It brings into focus attention to Goal 8 “Decent Work and Economic Growth”, and 17 “Partnerships for the Goals”.

One of Watipa’s scholars, Prudence Chavula in Malawi, embodies these values. Prudence is studying Public Administration at the University of Malawi, is encouraging the youth in her community by being an exemplary role model.

“Being a Watipa scholar acts as a motivation to do more for my community” says Prudence, who has encouraged 22 young girls to go back to school and is fundraising for their school uniforms.

You can read more about Prudence and her ambitions in some of the blogs she has shared previously (see Meet a scholar and Prudence Chavula, Malawi) and you’ll hear more from us on her campaign in the coming months! We are very proud!

Young people are not only the leaders of the future, they are the leaders of today.

Sam Mudie