For many young people, completing secondary school is only half the journey.
The bigger challenge often comes after when dreams of tertiary education are put on hold due to lack of financial support.
This was the reality for Tendai Zulu, a determined young woman who completed her Grade 12 in 2024.
Like many vulnerable youths in Chipata, Tendai had the passion to further her education but did not have the financial means to pursue her dream course in Food Production and Beverages.
“I really wanted to continue with school, but at home we couldn’t manage to raise the tuition. I thought I would just have to stay home and look for piece work,” she recalls.
Her story took a different turn when she learned about the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) Skills Bursary offered through the Chipata City Council. Applying felt like a long shot but for Tendai, it became a dream come true.
Through CDF support, she was enrolled at Chipata Trades Training Institute, where she studied Food Production and Beverages.
The bursary covered her tuition fees amount to K27,000 and gave her a fair chance to compete and build practical skills in a professional learning environment.
During her training, Tendai developed strong culinary skills, discipline, and confidence. Her commitment and hard work soon began to pay off.
Today, Tendai is proudly employed in the kitchen section at Uncle Chipeta Lodge, located in Chipata Central.
What once seemed like an impossible dream has now become a sustainable career path.
“I am now able to support myself and contribute at home.
CDF changed my life,” she says with gratitude.
Tendai’s story is a clear testimony of how the Constituency Development Fund is not just a government program, but a lifeline for vulnerable youths.
By investing in skills development, CDF is empowering young people with practical education, restoring hope, and opening doors to employment opportunities.
Through initiatives like the Skills Bursary, the Chipata City Council continues to demonstrate its commitment to youth empowerment and community development.
Tendai Zulu’s journey proves that when opportunity meets determination, transformation is inevitable.
CDF is not just funding education, it is building futures.