Rebuild the Lives of 70 Imprisoned Eswatini Youth

Implementation Site

Nkilongo Inkhundla, Lubombo Region, Eswatini

Intervention and Support

On January 28, 2025, five of the targeted youth were enrolled at Ngihlomise Youth Skills Academy for vocational and life skills training. The training programs offered include:

• Plumbing
• Welding
• Domestic Electrical Installation

In addition, agriculture and financial literacy modules were incorporated to provide alternative livelihood options through small-scale enterprises or subsistence farming for those unable to secure formal employment.This holistic approach aims to reduce recidivism by equipping youth offenders with practical, lawful income-generating skills.

By October 2025, the trained youth were placed in local companies for a three-month internship program to gain hands-on experience and improve employability. Upon completion, participants are expected to either gain employment within these companies, seek other job opportunities, or start their own small businesses.

Funding Needs

Despite notable progress, additional funding is required to achieve the project’s objectives fully. The following needs have been identified:

1. Enrollment of the remaining 65 youth offenders into vocational training programs.
2. Provision of mentorship and business development support to help beneficiaries establish and manage their own enterprises upon completion of training.
3. Facilitation of internship placements for all trainees to gain practical work experience.
4. Procurement of start-up toolkits and equipment to enable graduates to launch small trades or agriculture-based projects.

Conclusion

Empowering disadvantaged youth offenders through vocational training, life skills education, and entrepreneurship support directly addresses barriers to formal employment. The project offers these young people a pathway to rehabilitation and economic independence, promoting social reintegration and reducing the likelihood of reoffending. Ultimately, the initiative contributes to community development, strengthens rehabilitation efforts, and supports Eswatini’s broader goals of inclusive and sustainable youth empowerment.