The Ungweru Organisation's Youth Development Unit achieved significant progress in January 2025, conducting impactful workshops and training sessions. Here's a detailed overview:

The Youth Development Unit, represented by Resource Persons Taonga and Samson, facilitated a crucial step-down workshop in Mpherembe from January 17th to 19th, 2025. This workshop focused on the Community Building Unit within the Sharing Education and Learning for Life (SELL) Programme. Step-down workshops are vital for disseminating knowledge and skills gained from previous training, ensuring wider community benefit and sustainable impact. They allow participants to then train others, creating a ripple effect.

Building capacity within the SELL Programme, the Youth Development Unit successfully delivered the sixth Justice Unit training for volunteers in Nkhata Bay. Held from January 23rd to 26th, 2025, the training engaged 29 enthusiastic volunteers. This intensive program equipped participants with the skills and knowledge to address critical societal issues. The Justice Unit component empowers young adults to analyze cross-cutting challenges, including those related to political, economic, and religious spheres. This training fosters critical thinking, promotes active citizenship, and prepares volunteers to become agents of positive change within their communities. The training emphasized collaboration, interactive learning, and the exploration of potential solutions to community challenges. This ongoing investment in volunteer development underscores Ungweru's commitment to long-term community empowerment.

As the year comes to an end, SELL Programme Malawi conducted the following activities in the month of November and December.

Workshops in Mzimba boma and Katete communities
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On 1st to 3rd November 2024, the SELL programme Malawi was at Mzimba boma and Katete for community building workshops. Isaac and Taonga were the two Resource Persons that represented Sell Programme Malawi at Katete community, while Samson was at a Mzimba boma.

UNGWERU 20 YEARS CELEBRATION
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The year 2024, marks a special moment for Ungweru Organisation. Indeed 2024 marks the organisation's 20 years of existence.
Ungweru organisation was founded in 2004. It started as a Community Based Organisation and was based in the township of Luwinga, in the city of Mzuzu. The organisation was formally registered as an NGO in 2009. In 2010, the organisation moved from Luwinga to a place adjacent to Mzuzu University behind Tahit filling station.
From 2004 to 2024, the organisation has been at the forefront at improving the living standards and resilience of communities. This has been done by furthering their human and material development, offering skill strengthening opportunities, enhancing their livelihoods capacities and supporting young adults negotiate their ever changing world through the SELL programme run by the Youth Development Unit of Ungweru.
In celebrating the organisation's 20 years’ anniversary, team members and students from the organisation had a big walk from the organisation's premises to Mzuzu Shorpite on Wednesday, the 6th. Then followed by a Tree planting and cleaning exercise on Thursday the 7th. Friday the 8th with the final celebrations.

Third Mentors Training
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The Youth Development Unit of Ungweru held the third mentors’ training of the Sharing Education and Learning for Life (SELL) Programme from the 14th to the 17th of November 2024. The training was attended by 14 SELL volunteer trainees and aimed to equip trainees with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively guide and support their fellow young people. The trainee mentors have been selected from among our volunteers. The selected showed a deeper understanding of the Programme and good facilitation ability during the step-down workshops in their communities. The mentoring training is to offer them some additional capacity and skills to take on the role of support to their fellow facilitators in the field. The team also taught mentors how to make briquettes as a sustainable alternative to charcoal. This initiative aims to reduce environmental damage and minimize waste.

Youth Development Unit Champions Gender Equality
The Youth Development Unit joined the international community in the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence from the 25th of November to 10th December 2024. As part of this campaign, the unit produced soundbites online and engaged with students at Mzuzu University. Students were encouraged to familiarize themselves with the university's gender policies and to report any instances of abuse. Together, we can build safer campuses for all. The unit remains dedicated to raising awareness about gender-based violence.

CHRISTMAS GREETING
The SELL team Malawi extends warmest holiday greetings to you and your loved ones. We hope this season brings you joy, peace, and an abundance of blessings. May the coming year be filled with happiness and success. CHRISTMAS GREETING
The SELL team Malawi extends warmest holiday greetings to you and your loved ones. We hope this season brings you joy, peace, and an abundance of blessings. May the coming year be filled with happiness and success.