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DCU alum to set up youth training programme in Zambia
DCU alum to set up youth training programme in Zambia

DCU alum to set up youth training programme in Zambia

Lindsay Cleary, a former DCU Communications student, has been given the amazing opportunity by Young Africa (www.youngafrica.org) to set up the newest Young Africa youth training centre in Lusaka, Zambia.

Young Africa Zambia’s plan is to provide a youth empowerment programme to disadvantaged youth in low-income areas in Lusaka. The programme consists of:

a)      Training in a technical skill for employability;
b)      Life Skills Training including HIV/Aids awareness and education; and
c)      Entrepreneurship Training.

In 2017 Young Africa Zambia plans to reach out to 160 youths in Bauleni, a low income, high density area of the capital, Lusaka.

Lindsay, who has been working with Young Africa in Zimbabwe and Mozambique since 2014, says, “We have the unique opportunity to provide these youths with the International Computer Drivers Licence (ICDL - Africa's equivalent to ECDL) - a qualification that is recognised all over the world. Young Africa is recognised by UNESCO-UNEVOC and our work has had positive results in the other countries we work in. So we really are bringing something special to Zambia.”

Each young person taking the course will train for the International Computer Driving Licence (ICDL), completing the four base modules and tests. ICDL is a qualification which will give these youths internationally recognised computer skills. As part of the Young Africa Integral Youth Empowerment Programme the students will also receive Life Skills and Entrepreneurship education.

To help Lindsay and the team get started, you can donate at www.gofundme.com/yazambia.

Lindsay continues, “This fund will go towards the costs of training the first 80 youths in the Bauleni compound. We have taken on this role in a semi-voluntary capacity, and are working month-to-month to ensure all our costs are covered. While we have good contacts with donors in Europe and Zambia, we really need an extra fundraising push to get the ICT training going soon. We have the potential to increase our reach over 1,000 youths over the next few years, so it is a long-term investment for us!”

For more information you can contact Lindsay:  lindsay.cleary@youngafrica.org

Pictured: Lindsay with graduates of the programme in Mozambique