The unassuming project transforming the hopes of young people

How drama and creative arts groups in Malawi are bringing hope and confidence to the lives of teens.

A group of five girls and six boys are dancing, showing off their best moves. But this is not the scene from a British nightclub, this is in Malawi’s second largest city, Blantyre and we’re sitting on the ground in the sunshine, outside the home of one of the boys. 

It’s a poor area and unemployment is rife. Youngsters like these leave school and find little work to go into. So many work in what’s called the informal sector. That means scraping a living selling things by the side of the road, or doing piecework.

According to a report in 2013 by the International Labour Organisation, 70 per cent of young Malawians aged between 15 and 29 are employed in this way.

Unemployment rates 

Malawi therefore has one of the highest rates of working poverty in the world. Today 60 per cent of the population lives on just $2 a day.

It’s into that context that the Bible Society of Malawi has launched a scheme to get young people running their own drama and creative arts groups. Ten groups have already been established, thanks to our supporters.

60 per cent of the population lives on just $2 a day

‘It’s an exciting, inspiring project,’ says Wilfred Ngalawa, Regional Manager for Central Region for Bible Society. He knows these youngsters well and is keen to encourage them, shaping a generation for the future.

‘The whole aim is to encourage them,’ he says. ‘The focus is on their talent. We need to tell them that they have a talent that they can use for their future.’

Tackling tough issues 

This group call themselves The Chosen Ones. Today, after the dancing, which is a bit of a warm-up, they are practicing for a performance at a school the next day. Nerves are jangling.

They’ve written their own drama about sexual abuse within the home. In it, a father sexually abuses his daughter. Her mother discovers the shocking truth. The father is at first outcast, but later begs forgiveness and is, remarkably, forgiven by his family. 

We want to teach the word of God

‘We all know so many people in this situation,’ says 18-year-old Peace Makheusera. ‘It’s not right.’ So the group is taking its play to local schools to get this message across.

They meet every day to rehearse. 

‘We want to teach the word of God,’ says Peace. ‘We cannot do anything without God’s word. So we gather, pray and read the Bible and maybe we can challenge some other youths.’ Through their drama, these young people are bringing the Bible to life in their communities. 

The challenge ahead 

But they are all aware of the problems that face them. 

‘It’s impossible for us all to get jobs,’ says 16-year-old Sydney Seke. ‘We are going to have to be self-employed. It would be great to have our own theatre.’

‘We are trying to do something better with our lives,’ adds Jabulani Juwawo (18).

We use the Bibles we won every day

The youngsters took part in a nationwide drama competition run by the Bible Society of Malawi in 2015. As prizes, they were given their own Bible. It sounds simple, but they say that’s been hugely positive for them.

‘We use the Bibles that we won through the competition every day,’ says Jabulani. ‘We couldn’t have afforded to buy one as we need the money for our school fees. We still remember that God is on our side. This is a great opportunity.’