The Chabota Vocational Skills Training Centre is located in Chibombo District of Central Province on Zambia at the New Apostolic Church Relief Organisation (NACRO) Chibombo farm, formerly known as Henwood farm. The farm lies 96km north of Lusaka, the capital city of Zambia. The NACRO Chibombo farm runs poultry-layers and broilers, horticulture, piggery and several agriculture enterprises that form an integral part of the student’s curricula and are a source of provision and is sponsored by NAK karitativ.
According to Zambia Demographic Survey of 2024, out of 21.13 million people in Zambia, 4.8 million are young people aged 15-35 which translates into 36.7%. This group faces many challenges ranging from high unemployment, inadequate education system, high prevalence of HIV/AIDS, unequal representation of youth in decision making among others. These compounding factors has led to most youths in the country resorting to streets and become unproductive. To compliment government efforts in curbing these challenges The New Apostolic Church Relief Organisation came up with the idea of establishing a Youth Vocational Skills Training Centre to impart skills in the most vulnerable youths to enable them survive, become self-sustaining and contribute to the Development of the Zambia’s economy. The training package is designed to carter for both school and non-school most of which is very practical.
Since its inception in 2020, the institution has trained a total of more than 300 vulnerable youths in general Agriculture, Driving and Basic Mechanics, Food Production and Tailoring and Design courses which are TEVET accredited. There had been several youths that have been enrolled at the institution since its operation in the year 2020, and most students that graduated are either employed or self employed because of the skills they acquired at the institution.
Johnathan Mangwachi is one of the graduates from the institution and he has to say “I thank God that NACRO provided a very rare opportunity for me to be trained in General Agriculture. It has been a life changing experience that has revived my life. I did a one-year horticulture program at the institution. They took me for attachments at Kapuku farm in Lusaka which is run by the Zambia National Service. The attachments were for three months and when I concluded my attachments, the Farm Manager insisted that I work at the farm for another one-year because I did exceptionally well with my attachments and was considered one of the most well-behaved students. When the contract ended, the Chabota Vocational Skills Training Management recommended me for another job opportunity right in Chibombo District. With the accumulation of experience and hard work, management further recommended me to take up a job as Poultry Attendant with the New Apostolic Church Relief Organization Farm. I would like to encourage all the youths out there to enrol and acquire a skill at this institution for it will change their lives the way mine has been changed because had it not been for this training, I could have on the streets and my life could have been ruined by now. I want to urge my fellow youths who could be in a vulnerable situation that NACRO is there to change your negative into a life- long success story. I am now a very responsible young man taking care of my extended family and thinking of advancing my education in Agriculture”.
Another touching story is of Alfred Kalenga who enrolled at the institution in February 2022 and graduated in June 2023. He stated, “I did a programme for one (1) year and went for attachments at Golden Vally Research Trust for three (3) months. When I graduated, I found a part-time job as a Brick Layer. After months, I applied as a general worker at NACRO Farm and I was offered a job as Piggery Attendant. I’ve been working at the farm for a year now. I’ve so far learnt that theory and practical are different by far. A person with practical skills is better than a person good in theory. Since the time I started working, I have sharpened my agricultural skills more especially in piggery management. From the time I joined NACRO farm, I have seen the number of pigs grow from 10 to 120 within a space of a year. I encourage people out there to enrol with. In the near future, I feel of owning my own piggery and employ other youths to show them that, a youth no matter how detrimental your situation may be, there are well-wishers out there such as NACRO who can help you get out of poverty.
Chabota Vocational Skills Training Centre has the potential to build more capacity to be a leading provider of skills and development training services. The centre has experienced significant growth over the past four years, with a steady increase in the number of enrolments and courses offered. However, the institution faces challenges such as insufficient infrastructure to absorb all the vulnerable youths. Additionally, the institution lacks a library to support research. With adequate accommodation facilities, the institution can enrol more youths. We therefore urge all well-wishers who can support the institution in any little way to step up render any support.