District Commissioner for Mulanje Stallichi Mwambiwa speaking on Thursday during the 2022 graduation ceremony for the trainees said implementation of skills they have acquired the past ten months will transform their lives and not certificates issued to them.

“I’m sure the instructors have given you all the required skills and what you need is to utilize the knowledge gained when you go back home and become the shining stars,” said Mwambiwa.

On challenges facing the institution such as lack of fence, unreliable water sources and shortage of staff houses, the DC said the district council and Capitol Hill will lobby other partners to assist in addressing these challenges.

In an interview with Zodiak Online, President of the outgoing trainees James Namame said he will apply the skills he gained at the school to boost his farm produce business.

“We are going home changed people and I believe everyone will use his or her skills gained here to start different businesses in our respective communities,” said Namame.

The school’s Principal Instructor Davies Kamwani said the management recommended 50 trainees this year but due to financial challenges 15 did not turn up.

“After our assessments, we recommended 50 people and we expected them all to enroll at this school but only 35 came and others failed to raise money for transport from their respective homes to come here,” said Kamwani.

Agriculture, HIV and AIDS management, orientation and mobility, brail literacy, computer literacy and art and craft are some of the courses offered at Mulanje Vocational School for the Blind.

The school was opened in 1958.