Participating at the International Youth Day Commemorations (IYD) was an eye opener and exciting moment for EDWIN MWEDZI (24) and his colleagues from Marange Vocational Training Centre as they showcased some of their handmade products and interacted with other young entrepreneurs. “It is my first time to be part of an event like this one. I am so excited to see how people admire the cake we baked and the uniforms we made. It is very nice seeing people buying food from us,” said Edwin. 

Takunda joined its implementing partners and Government departments commemorating International Youth Day on the 31st of August 2022 in Ward 24 of Mutare District. International Youth Day was designated by the United Nations in 1999 and is observed annually on August 12th. It is an opportunity for Governments, development partners, and communities to draw attention to youth issues worldwide. 

This year the commemorations were held under the theme, Intergenerational Solidarity: Creating a World for All Ages. In the Mutare district, Takunda supported 75 (40 males & 35 Females) young people by engaging the Marange Vocational Training Centre for skills training in hotel and catering, clothing technology, and building courses. 

Participants for the IYD event were drawn from three courses to expose the students to the market and interact with other young entrepreneurs. 

Present also were local artisans from other projects, young farmers showcasing crop and livestock products (sorghum, millet, groundnuts, fodder bales, rabbits, and poultry), and microfinance institutions. Youth from Takunda displayed garments they constructed, such as school uniforms and freshly baked and cooked food. It gave speeches amplifying the awareness of societal and economic barriers to intergenerational solidarity.  

In her speech, TALENT RUNGWANDI (Takunda Life Skills Program participant) encouraged young women of her age to take up vocational skills as a way of bridging the income gap at the household level. 

“To my colleagues, specifically the young girls and women here present, I strongly encourage you not to always look up to men but also start your own business and bring some money to the table. You can only do this by acquiring vocational skills,” said Talent.

Other implementing partners in the district, such as Plan International, Youth Alive, and Zimbabwe Fostering Agribusiness for Resilient Markets Activity (FARM), participated in the commemoration.

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