April 2026 was a month of growth, learning, and expanding leadership opportunities for young people across Malawi. Through the SELL (Sharing Education and Learning for Life) Programme, communities continued to experience the ripple effect of youth-led learning as trained volunteers brought life skills and leadership training directly to their peers.
From Mzuzu to Dowa and Nkhata Bay, young people gathered to reflect on who they are, strengthen their relationships, and discover their potential to become agents of positive change. April also marked another important milestone as new communities in the Southern Deanery joined the growing SELL family.
From Mzuzu to Dowa and Nkhata Bay, young people gathered to reflect on who they are, strengthen their relationships, and discover their potential to become agents of positive change. April also marked another important milestone as new communities in the Southern Deanery joined the growing SELL family.
Taking Learning to Communities: Self-Awareness Step-Down Workshops in Masasa and Milenge
On the weekend of 10–11 April 2026, the SELL Programme successfully conducted Self-Awareness step-down workshops in Masasa, Mzuzu City, and Milenge Community in Mzimba District.
These workshops represented the strength of the SELL model, where trained and commissioned volunteers bring learning back to their own communities. In Masasa, 25 young people participated, while another 23 young people gathered in Milenge, creating safe spaces for reflection and dialogue.
These workshops represented the strength of the SELL model, where trained and commissioned volunteers bring learning back to their own communities. In Masasa, 25 young people participated, while another 23 young people gathered in Milenge, creating safe spaces for reflection and dialogue.
One of the facilitators leading a session at Masasa
Facilitated by Samuel, Mirriam, and Mercy with support from commissioned volunteers Clement, Samson, and Jean, the Masasa sessions encouraged participants to explore their personal identity, relationships, strengths, and challenges. At the same time, Paul, a commissioned volunteer, independently facilitated the Milenge workshop, demonstrating the growing capacity of local facilitators.
Through discussions, storytelling, and reflective exercises, participants examined how their experiences influence their behaviour and relationships. They also explored the SELL principle of “Think and Choose,” which encourages responsible decision-making and self-reflection.
By the end of the sessions, participants had gained greater confidence, improved communication skills, and a deeper understanding of themselves and their relationships with others. The workshops also strengthened friendships and encouraged young people to appreciate different perspectives.
Through discussions, storytelling, and reflective exercises, participants examined how their experiences influence their behaviour and relationships. They also explored the SELL principle of “Think and Choose,” which encourages responsible decision-making and self-reflection.
By the end of the sessions, participants had gained greater confidence, improved communication skills, and a deeper understanding of themselves and their relationships with others. The workshops also strengthened friendships and encouraged young people to appreciate different perspectives.
New Communities Join the Journey: SELL Training for Southern Deanery
From 16–19 April 2026, the Youth Development Unit conducted a foundational SELL training at Jenda in the Southern Deanery of the Catholic Diocese of Mzuzu, bringing together 14 young adults from Nkhamenya, Chizani, Bowe, Katete, Edingeni, and Mzimba Boma.
Facilitated by Isaac Thindwa and Patricia Nyirenda, with support from experienced commissioned facilitators Clement Munthali and Paul Chunda, the training introduced participants to the values and methodology that make SELL unique.
Facilitated by Isaac Thindwa and Patricia Nyirenda, with support from experienced commissioned facilitators Clement Munthali and Paul Chunda, the training introduced participants to the values and methodology that make SELL unique.
Figure 2 Isaac Thindwa facilitating a self-awareness session
Using the spiral learning approach, participants engaged in discussions, role plays, storytelling, songs, and personal reflection exercises. They explored the difference between teaching and facilitation, learning that a facilitator's role is not to provide all the answers but to guide others through dialogue and shared learning.
A major focus of the training was self-awareness and personal development. Participants reflected on their life experiences, strengths, relationships, and aspirations, helping them understand how their choices affect both themselves and their communities.
The sessions also highlighted the importance of healthy relationships, communication, and social responsibility. Throughout the training, creativity and participation transformed learning into a lively and meaningful experience.
By the end of the four days, participants left with renewed confidence and a strong commitment to serve as facilitators and leaders within their communities. Their enthusiasm reflected the growing reach of the SELL Programme and the increasing desire among young people to contribute to positive social transformation.
This training was made possible through the generous support of Trócaire, whose continued partnership enables young people from diverse communities to access transformative learning opportunities.
A major focus of the training was self-awareness and personal development. Participants reflected on their life experiences, strengths, relationships, and aspirations, helping them understand how their choices affect both themselves and their communities.
The sessions also highlighted the importance of healthy relationships, communication, and social responsibility. Throughout the training, creativity and participation transformed learning into a lively and meaningful experience.
By the end of the four days, participants left with renewed confidence and a strong commitment to serve as facilitators and leaders within their communities. Their enthusiasm reflected the growing reach of the SELL Programme and the increasing desire among young people to contribute to positive social transformation.
This training was made possible through the generous support of Trócaire, whose continued partnership enables young people from diverse communities to access transformative learning opportunities.
Step-Down Workshops in Mtengowanthenga and Mpamba
The momentum continued during the weekend of 17–18 April 2026, when newly trained volunteers in the Dowa Deanery conducted their very first community step-down workshop in Mtengowanthenga.
This was a particularly significant milestone for the programme. Facilitated by Anthony, Angela, and Maness, with mentorship from commissioned volunteer Lusungu, the workshop brought together 36 participants and showcased the power of investing in young leaders.
Participants spent time reflecting on their personal histories, strengths, relationships, and life experiences. Through discussions and role plays, they explored how self-awareness forms the foundation for personal growth and responsible decision-making. The sessions emphasized that understanding oneself is the first step towards building meaningful relationships and becoming a positive influence within the community.
This was a particularly significant milestone for the programme. Facilitated by Anthony, Angela, and Maness, with mentorship from commissioned volunteer Lusungu, the workshop brought together 36 participants and showcased the power of investing in young leaders.
Participants spent time reflecting on their personal histories, strengths, relationships, and life experiences. Through discussions and role plays, they explored how self-awareness forms the foundation for personal growth and responsible decision-making. The sessions emphasized that understanding oneself is the first step towards building meaningful relationships and becoming a positive influence within the community.
Figure 3 SELL Facilitators demonstrating a role play
At the same time, another workshop was taking place in Mpamba Community, Nkhata Bay, where James, a commissioned SELL volunteer, facilitated a Leadership Unit session for 22 young people.
Participants explored what it means to be a leader and reflected on the qualities that make leadership effective. Discussions highlighted that true leadership begins with self-awareness and is rooted in service, responsibility, and integrity. Young people were encouraged to recognize their own potential and to become active contributors to the wellbeing of their communities.
Across both locations, participants actively engaged in discussions and activities, demonstrating openness, confidence, and a willingness to grow. These workshops highlighted the success of the SELL multiplier approach, where learning spreads from one group to another, reaching young people at the grassroots level.
Participants explored what it means to be a leader and reflected on the qualities that make leadership effective. Discussions highlighted that true leadership begins with self-awareness and is rooted in service, responsibility, and integrity. Young people were encouraged to recognize their own potential and to become active contributors to the wellbeing of their communities.
Across both locations, participants actively engaged in discussions and activities, demonstrating openness, confidence, and a willingness to grow. These workshops highlighted the success of the SELL multiplier approach, where learning spreads from one group to another, reaching young people at the grassroots level.
Building Local Leadership
One of the most encouraging aspects of April was witnessing newly trained volunteers confidently facilitate sessions within their own communities. Their ability to guide discussions, encourage participation, and create safe learning environments reflects the effectiveness of the SELL model in building local capacity.
The support provided by commissioned volunteers, catechists, parish leadership, and communities themselves continues to play an essential role in ensuring that young people have spaces where they can learn, share experiences, and grow together.
While challenges such as limited resources and transportation constraints remain, the commitment and dedication shown by volunteers have ensured that the work continues to reach more communities.
The support provided by commissioned volunteers, catechists, parish leadership, and communities themselves continues to play an essential role in ensuring that young people have spaces where they can learn, share experiences, and grow together.
While challenges such as limited resources and transportation constraints remain, the commitment and dedication shown by volunteers have ensured that the work continues to reach more communities.
Figure 4 Participants pose for a group picture Looking Ahead
As we reflect on April, we are inspired by the growing network of young leaders who are embracing the responsibility to serve others and create positive change.
What began as training sessions has become something much larger—a movement of young people empowering one another through reflection, dialogue, and action. The successful step-down workshops and the expansion into new communities demonstrate that sustainable transformation happens when communities themselves become owners of the learning process.
With continued mentorship, collaboration, and support from our partners and communities, the Youth Development Unit remains committed to nurturing self-awareness, strengthening leadership, and building a future where young people are equipped to lead with confidence, compassion, and purpose.
What began as training sessions has become something much larger—a movement of young people empowering one another through reflection, dialogue, and action. The successful step-down workshops and the expansion into new communities demonstrate that sustainable transformation happens when communities themselves become owners of the learning process.
With continued mentorship, collaboration, and support from our partners and communities, the Youth Development Unit remains committed to nurturing self-awareness, strengthening leadership, and building a future where young people are equipped to lead with confidence, compassion, and purpose.
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