Leadership and Development

Today, the Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Water Development, Hon. Roza Mbilizi, launched the three-day National Agriculture Festival (NAF) at the Trade Fair Grounds in Blantyre.

YONECO is present at the fai with an information booth where our team is showcasing the organization's efforts to address child labor issues in various sectors, including agriculture. Our child protection interventions include a toll-free child helpline, the use of Theatre for Development (TfD), and awareness-raising through YONECO FM (YFM) radio station, among others.

Additionally, YONECO is also highlighting its social enterprises under Y-Net Investments, which include sunflower cooking oil production. This initiative offers economic opportunities to young people through contract farming, providing them with farm inputs such as seeds and fertilizers for sunflower cultivation, along with a ready market for their produce.

The fair, running from 27 to 29 August 2026 is being held under the theme "Transforming Agriculture through innovation, value addition, and market linkages."

Children are too precious to be ignored. Report child abuse by calling , the toll-free National Child Helpline, at 116.

YONECO Supports Backyard Gardens in Nsanje

YONECO has supported 18 Savings and Loans Groups (SLGs) with vegetable seeds for backyard gardens in Nsanje district aimed at promoting women's economic empowerment, improve household food security and enhance nutrition.

The initiative was implemented in collaboration with the District Community Development Office (DCDO) and the District Gender Office (DGO) targeting SLG members in the areas of Traditional Authorities (T/As) Chimombo, Ngabu and Malemia.

The groups received a variety of seeds, including r**e, spinach, cabbage, tomatoes, and onions.

The recipients were encouraged to utilize the seeds effectively, noting that proceeds from vegetable sales would generate income for women, while contributing to improved household nutrition.

"We will conduct regular monitoring visits to assess progress and provide technical support to achieve the objectives objectives of this initiative," explained Edward Baxter Nyirenda, YONECO Field Officer in the district.

Today, YONECO joined the launch of the District Hygiene & Sanitation Event in Chiradzulu, following H.E. Arthur Peter Mutharika’s Emergency Order No. 2, which calls for clean marketplaces, offices, households & public spaces.

The event began with a sweeping exercise at Dyeratu Market, followed by a solidarity walk to Dyeratu New Market for the main ceremony.

Today, our team interacted with children aged between 10 and 15, some of whom were teen mothers, who wandering unsupervised at Tsoka Market in Lilongwe while their mothers were drinking in shebeens.

YONECO also spoke with some Tsoka Market committee members, who confirmed that many children reside in the market, seeking refuge under the bridge and in other unsafe areas within the vicinity.

The market authorities expressed a need for the children, particularly the teen mothers, to be supported with income-generating opportunities to enable them to find safer environments in which to live with their toddlers.

One 13-year-old child who lives within Tsoka Market revealed that his parents divorced. His father relocated from Lilongwe to Phalombe, leaving him and his siblings. The boy explained that his mother died immediately after, a scenario that forced him to migrate to Mozambique to stay with his grandmother.

"Life with my grandmother was very difficult; I had no option but to return to Malawi when I was 10 years old," explained the boy.

Currently, Vincent sells water and uses the money to buy food. On some days, he makes no sales and resorts to begging to feed himself. Vincent bathes under Lilongwe Bridge, where water is available, and sleeps at Tsoka Market in slum-like conditions.

Vincent's story illustrates how family breakdown and poverty compel children onto the streets and highlights why they urgently require support and protection.

Wishing all young people a Happy International Youth Day!

May your energy, skills, creativity and innovation continue to inspire positive change and drive the sustainable development agenda forward.

Timakunyadirani

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To every Malawian Girl: No level is beyond reach

YONECO has urged women in Chiradzulu district to take a stand against child marriage while pursuing economic opportunities that can strengthen household livelihoods and reduce their vulnerability to Gender-Based Violence (GBV).

The call was made during a community awareness session that was attended by 20 members of Khumbo Lathu Women's Group at Mombezi Court. The participants discussed child protection and explored opportunities to access loans to start or expand businesses.

YONECO urged the women to work with authorities to prevent child marriages and keep girls in school.

The group was also encouraged to engage financial institutions to better understand available financing options and establish sustainable linkages to suitable services.

"We have been hesitant to apply for loans from microfinance institutions because of concerns about interest rates and collateral requirements," explained Bridget Eliya, a member of Khumbo Lathu Women's Group.