Empowering Young People Across Malawi: November Highlights from Ungweru’s Youth Development Unit
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November was an inspiring and impactful month for the Youth Development Unit of Ungweru Organisation as we continued to empower young people through the SELL Programme. Across communities and learning institutions, young adults came together to learn, share, and grow as leaders, peace builders, and change-makers. 
Empowering Peace Builders at the University of Livingstonia

Our work continued at the University of Livingstonia, where commissioned volunteer Aaron Mkandawire facilitated a powerful Peace Building step-down workshop with 32 participants on the 8th of November 2025.
The session explored how violence affects individuals and communities, while encouraging participants to recognize their role as peace builders. Through meaningful discussions and reflection, students gained deeper insight into promoting peace and non-violence in their everyday lives.
As we were reminded, the journey to peace begins with understanding.

Helping Young People Think, Choose, and Thrive at Ungweru
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The SELL Programme also celebrated a successful Life Choice engagement with students from Ungweru’s Skills Acquisition Unit on 14th November.
A total of 42 students fully participated in the “Think and Choose” curriculum, which focuses on self-awareness, responsible decision-making, and discovering one’s place in the world. The strong turnout and engagement highlighted the growing need for life skills education that equips young people to navigate life with confidence and purpose.
Together, we are helping young people take informed steps toward brighter futures.

Building Stronger Communities in Kalalato, Mzimba District
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On 15 November, one of our commissioned volunteers, Paul Chunda, facilitated a vibrant Community Building workshop in Kalalato, Mzimba District Zone.
The session attracted an impressive 68 young adults, all eager to engage with the Community Building Unit of the SELL Programme. The atmosphere was energetic and collaborative, with participants actively sharing ideas, exchanging experiences, and discussing ways to strengthen their communities.
Moments like these remind us that strong communities begin with empowered young people and Kalalato showed us exactly what that looks like.

Moving Forward Together
In November alone, the Youth Development Unit reached over 140 young people across Malawi. Each session reaffirmed our belief that when young people are equipped with the right skills, knowledge, and values, they can transform their communities.
We extend our heartfelt appreciation to our commissioned volunteers Paul Chunda and Aaron Mkandawire and to every young person who participated with passion and commitment.
Together, we are building a Malawi where young people grow, lead, and create lasting change

Holiday Greetings from the SELL Team Malawi
The SELL team Malawi is delighted to extend our very best wishes to you and your family this festive season.
We hope you enjoy a holiday filled with warmth, peace, and meaningful connections. May the spirit of Christmas bring you renewed inspiration.
Looking ahead, we wish you a New Year marked by great success, prosperity, and joy.

October was a month of meaningful progress for the Youth Development Unit (YDU) at Ungweru Organisation. Through the Sharing Education and Learning for Life (SELL) Programme, we continued our mission of empowering young people with the knowledge, values, and skills they need to lead transformative change in their communities.
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With three targeted workshops, we reached 85 young leaders across the Northern Region strengthening their capacities in Community Building and Leadership development.

October Activities at a Glance
Our engagements were delivered through three impactful workshops, intentionally designed to reach both grassroots youth and university students

Workshop Highlights

1. Ntchenachena: Strengthening Community Foundations

The two-day Step-Down Workshop brought together youth from Rumphi Boma, Mhuju, and Ntchenachena. Participants explored tools for addressing local challenges and understanding community dynamics. This session strengthened their confidence to drive change and promote unity within their communities.

2. UNILIA: Developing the Next Generation of Academic Leaders
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The Leadership workshop at the University of Livingstonia (UNILIA) achieved a remarkable gender balance 19 male and 19 female participants representing students from diverse religious backgrounds.

Key insight:
More than 60% of participants had previously attended the April Self-Awareness workshop, demonstrating strong commitment to pursuing SELL certification.

Urgent Need Identified:
With many final-year students
​preparing for graduation, participants requested an additional workshop to complete their remaining SELL units and qualify for certification. This highlights both demand for the programme and its perceived value among university youth.

3. Kaningina: Addressing Modern Realities

The Community Building workshop in Kaningina sparked powerful conversations. Alongside discussions on values, traditions, and identity, the session addressing sexual addiction and the impact of the internet resonated deeply with participants. The positive feedback reaffirmed SELL’s relevance in tackling emerging social issues affecting today’s youth.

Looking Ahead: Key Recommendations
1. Fast-Track UNILIA Certification
Organise an immediate follow-up workshop to support final-year students in completing their SELL units before graduation.
2. Scale the Programme Nationally
Broaden SELL’s footprint by engaging new universities and colleges, particularly in the Southern and Central regions of Malawi.
3. Strengthen Volunteer Support
Continue investing in SELL volunteers our frontline facilitators so they can extend the programme’s reach across communities.
The Youth Development Unit expresses heartfelt gratitude to all partners, volunteers, and youth participants who made October’s achievements possible. We remain committed to nurturing informed, confident, and responsible young leaders across Malawi.

Lusekelo School of Computing, Tailoring and Fashion Design Self-Awareness workshop
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On July 4th, the Resource Team engaged with students from Ungweru Organisation’s Skills Acquisition Unit (Lusekelo School of Computing, Tailoring and Fashion Design) on the first unit of SELL Module of Self-Awareness. The sessions empowered young people to discover their innate potential and how they can leverage their unique strengths to positively impact others in their communities.

Masasa Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) outreach session
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On July 4th Patricia SRH point person accompanied by Isaac the Team Leader and Samson engaged in open judgement-free and empowering discussions on puberty, body autonomy and their right to accurate SRH information among young adults of Masasa community in Mzuzu. These discussions aim to break myths, end stigma, promote awareness, respect and enhance understanding of natural body changes.

Clean-up drive
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On the 11th of July which was a second Friday in the month, the Y.D.U Team joined the entire Ungweru team, Mzuzu University students from Society of Forestry and Environmental Management (SFEM) and Society of Water and Sanitation Scientists (SWASS) departments in the monthly clean up drive an initiative that encourages proper waste management and protecting mother earth.

Presentation of certificate
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The team presented a certificate to Brian Onali who has completed his studies at Mzuzu University and attended more than 4 SELL unit sessions on 17th July. Brian is from Kenya and is the founder of Society of Forestry and Environmental Management (SFEM), a vibrant group which is working with the Youth Development Unit in different causes.

Care for the Earth unit Pilot Workshop

The YDU Team interacted with Mzuzu University students of the Society of Forestry and Environmental Management (SFEM) and Society of Water and Sanitation Scientists (SWASS) departments on the Care for the Earth Unit pilot workshop. The workshop provided a platform where the participants were invited to deepen their understanding that we are in the web of life and their responsibility towards the environment.
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Community Building training with the Anglicans
From 24th to 27th of July, the Resource Team engaged with volunteers of the Anglican on Community Building training at Pastoral Center in Nkhata-Bay. This marks as a significant milestone as it is the fifth training session for this dedicated group, bringing them closer to completing all the first six rounds of training in the SELL manual. This manual is designed to equip young adults with a profound understanding of diverse perspectives, fostering their ability to peacefully co-exist and build thriving communities.

Mzuzu University Self-Awareness workshop

On June7th, the Resource Team engaged with students from Mzuzu University on the first unit of SELL Module of Self-Awareness. The sessions empowered the students to understand their emotions, values and behaviours at the same time encouraged them to reflect on their life journey by looking at strengths, weaknesses and goals.

Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) school outreach sessions
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On June 10th and 24th the SRH Coordinator accompanied by Resource Team members engaged in open and empowering discussions on Empathy Building with different streams of Form 1 students from Zolozolo Secondary School. These discussions aim to break myths, end stigma, promote awareness, respect and enhance understanding of natural body changes of menstruation and wet dreams.
On the 18th and 25th of June, the Team was at Chibavi Secondary School with the boys and girls on empathy building to break myths, end stigma, promote awareness, respect and enhance understanding on natural body changes of menstruation and wet dreams. The conversations also involved the aspect of confidence building, empowering the students to break the silence and ask SRHR questions without fear or shame, seek accurate information and accessing health services when needed. On the same dates, the Team engaged with students at Chris Academy Private Secondary School on confidence building and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) conversations to help them freely express themselves as regards to the body changes and empower them to have full control of their health as regards of STIs.
The SRH Coordinator in the company of Taonga and Samson was at Luwinga Secondary School on June 19th engaging with a different stream of students on the same discussion of Empathy Building to break myths, end stigma, promote awareness, respect and enhance understanding on natural body changes of menstruation and wet dreams.

Clean-up drive
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On the 13th which was a second Friday in the month of June the Y.D.U Team joined the entire Ungweru team and students in the monthly clean up drive an initiative that encourages proper waste management and protecting mother earth.

Katete and Lusangazi Justice step-down workshops

From the 13th to 15th Samsom, SELL Programme mentors (Tsanzo Kaundula, Jean Mkandawire and Clement Munthali) were at Katete and Lusangazi communities with the young adults on Justice unit of the SELL module. The young adults engaged in mind blowing conversations on social, climate, gender and economic justice to shape their values, attitudes and actions. These conversations also build responsible and compassionate future leaders and citizens who value equality and inclusion.

Rumphi communities Wisdom of Traditions step-down workshop
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From 20th to 22nd of June, Taonga mentored Rumphi team on Wisdom of Traditions unit of the SELL manual. With young adults from Ntchenachena, M’huju and Rumphi Boma the sessions preserved great knowledge, values and practices passed down through generations and young adults are empowered to stay connected to their identity, learn from the past while shaping life ahead of them.

Chibavi Justice step-down workshop
On June 21st, Samson and Jean Mkandawire were at St Bernadette Hall in Chibavi for Justice unit step-down workshop with young adults. Participants engaged in mind blowing conversations on social, climate, gender and economic justice to shape their values, attitudes and actions. These conversations also build responsible and compassionate future leaders and citizens who value equality and inclusion.

Laudato Si Catechist input
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There was Catechist Central Denary elections on the 28th of June and there was room for capacity building. The team represented by Isaac the Team Leader alongside Crief Daniels from the Ecology Centre was privileged to share about the Laudato Si to catechists.

The Sharing Education and Learning Foundation has organized a one day stakeholder’s engagement for women on active participation in leadership.
The event aimed at providing the women with a platform to discuss and explore ways to promote women participation in leadership and to provide platform for networking and mentoring in Bauchi State and beyond.

In her opening remarks, Mrs. Mary James Joel urged women to build self confidence and courage when pursuing leadership roles. She added that women must be bold enough to overcome challenges and set standards in leadership, she encourage participants to actively engage in discussions and share the knowledge gained with other women in their respective communities.


Speaking also Dr Esther Ahmed, Senior special assistant to the Governor Bala Muhammed on multilateral coordination and diospora focal person, highlighted key obstacles hindering women’s progress, including cultural barriers, work life balance struggles, and a lack of role models.


Esther criticized the failure to implement the 35% affirmative action for women and called for more opportunities to enable them to contribute meaningfully to national development.
Similarly, Rev Masoyi Jibila Dadi, representing the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), emphasized the need for stronger family structures and societal reorientation to empower women.

Hajiya Asma’u Yahaya, Chairperson of Women with disability integrity development initiative, advocated for the inclusion of persons with disabilities in governance, commending SELL Foundation for the imitative and urged NGOs to follow suits.


The programme Coordinator Mr. Beji Jibe, thanked the panelists for availing themselves and their inputs noting that future programmes would engage more young women.
The event was attended by women from Government and private agencies, religious/traditional   bodies, wards and feature interactive group discussions and presentations on advancing women’s participation in leadership in Bauchi State and beyond.


SELL ADVOCATES FOR CHILD PROTECTION AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN PANKSHIN, PLATEAU STATE


Sharing Education and Learning for Life (SELL) team recently conducted advocacy visits in Pankshin, Plateau State, to discuss the rising cases of child trafficking, child labor, and other social challenges. The initiative also emphasized sustainable development efforts, particularly in agriculture, as a pathway to empower the community.

During the visit to His Majesty Nde Jika Golit the Ngolong Ngas, the Programmes Coordinator, Mr. Beji Jibe, expressed condolences to his Majesty on behalf of the SELL team over the recent passing of the Queen. He presented alarming statistics on the prevalence of child exploitation in Pankshin and Kanke LGAs and emphasized the urgent need for collective action to safeguard the rights and welfare of children.


In addition, Mr. Jibe informed His Majesty of SELL’s introduction of Smart Agricultural training for farmers in Pankshin. The training will focus on reducing the excessive use of chemical fertilizers by promoting organic fertilizers and sustainable natural farming methods.
This approach aims to support healthier agricultural practices while addressing environmental concerns.


His Majesty expressed profound concern regarding the issues discussed and praised the SELL team’s proactive initiative. He pledged his support in mobilizing efforts to protect children and advance sustainable farming practices within his domain.
Following the engagement with His Majesty, the SELL team visited the leadership of the Ngas Development Association (NDA).

The Association’s President, Dr. Danjuma Gokum, voiced dissatisfaction over the rising cases of child abuse and intake of illicit drugs among the youths in Ngasland. He attributed these issues to a lack of parental responsibility and youth idleness, which have contributed to the growing social vices in the community.


Dr. Gokum strongly advocated for the establishment of vocational training centers as a means of engaging young people constructively.
During the meeting, the SELL team highlighted its commitment to driving sustainable development through Smart Agricultural training.


SELL FOUNDATION NIGERIA HOLDS ITS 12TH ANNUAL GENERAL REFLECTION


Sharing Education and Learning for Life (SELL) Foundation Nigeria held its 12th Annual General Reflection with the theme:  Building Peaceful Society through Family Cohesion: A call for Inclusivity.

The event which took place at country home hotel in Jos, from the 30th April, to 4th May, 2025 brought together SELL volunteers across the North East and Plateau state.
The 2025 AGR provided participants with the opportunity to reflect learn and plan for the way forward.

During the event, the participants reviewed the progress over the past year, highlighting key achievements, challenges and lessons learned.
The AGR also provided the participants with the opportunity to engage in strategic discussions on future plans and opportunities that lie ahead.

Key highlights of the 2025 AGR includes:

1. Group life check-in
2. Review of past year's achievements and challenges 
3. Reports from communities/Resource team
2. Strategic discussions on future plans and opportunities
3. Renewed commitment on SELL's mission and Vision. 
4. Business meeting
5. Talk on theme of the AGR
6. Sight-seeing among others.