FROM PICKING SCRAP, PETTY CRIMES TO A QUALIFIED TAILOR AND DESIGNER

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…equipping vulnerable youths with skills for sustenance

By Mwenya Mukuka

He clanks on the pedal of his sewing machine in a rush against time to finish a piece of apparel for his client. In his eyes, a razor sharp focus on every stitch while his fingers so nimbly guides the Chitenge material along the machine in a symmetrical manner.

Emmanuel Kangwa, 19 of Lusaka’s Kamanga Compound is steadily gaining the trust of his neighborhood to design elegant dresses and to creatively mend their torn clothes, locally known as “vigamba”.

About five years ago, this could have simply been a farfetched dream for the teenager.

His reality –a life scavenging on the streets of Lusaka, constantly high on toxic substances, especially the infamous, mind-numbing drug called “Sticker or Glue” sniffed out of bottles for most street children.

“I was just 14. A week before my grade 7 exams. That is when I stopped going to school and ran away from home, mainly due to peer pressure and because life at home was hard. I spent my entire day picking scrap metal for resale in the street,” recalled Emmanuel.

His family had just moved to Lusaka from Mpulungu district.

The daunting task of raising Emmanuel and his siblings rested squarely on the shoulders of his single mother after her husband abandoned them earlier in Mpulungu.

Life in the capital city can be tough, especially when a family lacks a steady source of income.

It was not too long before the teenager fell into the trap of petty crimes.

He recalls being a regular at Chelstone Police Station Cells for stealing, vandalising property to find scrap and causing trouble.

“The last time I got arrested – while in police cells waiting to be sent to remand, officers from Social Welfare approached me and recommended for an opportunity to acquire skills at DAPP Children’s Town in Chibombo. I hesitantly accepted because I did not know anything about the place at first,” he narrated.

DAPP Children’s Town provides a nurturing environment where vulnerable youths from the streets and communities find guidance, education, and support to break free from vices.

The project runs the Youth Academy, a two years’ vocational skills programme to support the rehabilitation, training and reintegration of former street children as productive citizens.

In February 2022, Emmanuel arrived at DAPP Children’s Town — a world distinct from the harsh, unforgiving conditions of life on the streets.

“When I came to the school, things here were different. We were taught how to take and complete responsibilities such as sweeping our dormitories, surroundings, bathe and prepare well before we went for lessons. These are things I didn’t care about before. I chose Cutting, Designing and Tailoring as my vocational skill,” said Emmanuel.
Weeks turned into months,

Emmanuel, now aged 19 has a Certificate in Cutting, Designing and Tailoring after graduating on 10 November 2023.

He is among 56 students, including 14 former street children who completed the programme which included Agriculture, Tailoring and Design and Food Production.

Upon graduating, DAPP Zambia gave each of the graduates that took tailoring a Sewing Machine each and 100 Chicks to each of the students that trained in General Agriculture as startup capital as they take on the challenges of life with their new skills and knowledge about life.

It is this same machine that Emmanuel has started running a tailoring business with at his homestead in Kamanga Compound.

“These skills have changed me. This sewing machine keeps me from bad behaviour. Before my training, I never stayed at home. I was always out, smoking and stealing with my friends. But now, I don’t want to commit any crime. I would rather make a K20 from home using this machine than going out on the streets to get in trouble. I don’t want to be arrested again. Whatever I want to buy, this sewing machine helps me make the money I need. Even if I don’t have money, I now have the patience to plan and work for it,” noted Emmanuel while gazing at the machine with a sense of pride written all over his face.

“Emmanuel’s change is unbelievable. We no longer endure sleepless nights worrying about where he is sleeping at night. He is now home, more respectful and responsible. He willingly contributes to the household income like buying soap and minor groceries. Not that he has to, but he helps. We support the tailoring business by advertising to friends. The skills that DAPP is giving to the youths are commendable,” said Monica Zimba, Emmanuel’s Auntie.

Monica also confirmed that the community has noticed a positive change in Emmanuel.

They now trust him to repair their clothes without worrying that he might steal them.

Emmanuel’s being a responsible and empowered individual now, is an example of the power of community guidance, second chances.

Emmanuel is among thousands of young people who leave their homes for various reasons to live on the streets, the majority of whom are found wandering in the capital city – spending seasons outside the comfort of a home and a family environment.

Emmanuel’s transformation resonates well with the 2024 International Day of Education theme “learning for lasting peace”.

From troubling the community and his family to mending and sewing community wardrobe.

A nation’s strength and future lies in the potential of its youth.

Through channeling efforts into skills education for youths, the nation not only rehabilitates troubled individuals, but also creates a reservoir of talent to drive economic growth, job creation and social harmony.