15/05/2026
Why Attending Meetings Matters - My Story
My name is Sophie Butao from Chileka Youth Club, and I studied Business Management at Malawi College of Accountancy.
To tell the truth, taking part and going to meetings that the Chairperson, Mr. Feston Mbesa, calls is very important.
I remember this because going to meetings, especially on Saturdays or whenever he called, has benefited us greatly.
1. Shemma Scholarship Opportunity - 2022
In 2022, the Chair told us about International Youth Day. Each club was asked to send two people.
Chileka Youth Club chose us, Sophie Butao, and Hannah Chika.
When we went there, we found an opportunity from the Shemma Foundation — an organization that strongly supports young people. They were offering 100% scholarships for short courses in Nutritional Assessment and others.
My friend and I were offered the Nutrition Assessment course. We did it at Bunda for 3 weeks. They provided everything, including K200,000 for upkeep. After that, we came back with a Certificate in Nutrition Assessment.
2. Soybean Farming Project - 2022/2023 Season
After that, the Chair brought another message. They wanted young people to grow soybeans on loan. They would provide everything: land preparation, ploughing, planting, first and second weeding, harvesting, and threshing.
After harvest, we would give them the crops. They would sell and give us the remaining money.
We, the Chileka Youth Club, joined the agreement and signed a contract for the 2022-2023 season. After doing everything, many of us earned a lot of money. Most members of Chileka Youth made between K200,000 to K500,000.00.
This gave me motivation, and until now I still grow soybeans.
3. Soy Milk Processing Training - 2022
In the same year, 2022, the same Chair told us that people were coming who wanted many young people to learn how to make soy milk.
From each club, about 10 people went.
This time, we did the training at NRC and stayed for almost 1 week. We learned how to grow soybeans and what products we can make from soy — like milk, cooking oil, and many others.
Conclusion: My Encouragement to Fellow Youth
I bring this story to encourage my fellow youth: Let us not be lazy when the Chair or Committee calls us. Because those places are where we can find many opportunities and blessings.
Maybe we are people who lack things. Those meetings are where we can find what we need. Thank you.
– Sophie Butao
Chileka Youth Club