Chikankata District, Zambia — A total of 59 students have graduated with diverse vocational skills from the Riverside Farm Institute, marking yet another milestone in the institution’s mission to empower communities through practical and faith-based education.
Speaking during the graduation ceremony, Chikankata Member of Parliament Jackline Sabao—in a speech delivered on her behalf by Kafue MP Mirriam Chonya—called on communities to embrace agriculture not merely as a subsistence activity but as a viable business and source of employment.
Ms. Sabao noted that the graduates now possess skills that can enable them to become self-reliant, adding that the ceremony’s significance is heightened by the fact that many trainees were sponsored under the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) skills training component.
“This initiative demonstrates government’s commitment to empowering communities with practical and sustainable skills,” she said. She applauded Riverside Farm Institute for its long-standing contribution to both the moral and economic development of the nation.
The MP described the institute as a model of faith-based education, praising its commitment to developing “the head, the hand, and the heart”—an approach she said reflects true holistic learning. She encouraged the graduates to apply their new abilities to create opportunities for themselves and others.
“Farming should no longer be viewed as that laborious task we once ran away from as children,” Ms. Sabao emphasized. She urged the graduates to leverage their training to contribute to local industries, noting that skills acquired at the institute could enable them to produce items such as dust coats and PPE safety wear for companies within their own communities.
She further highlighted the importance of evangelism, especially in the face of rising social challenges, saying faith-based leaders play a key role in maintaining the moral fabric of society.
Ms. Sabao commended the New Dawn government for integrating skills training into the CDF, describing it as “a profound act of faith in the potential of our youths.” She added that the program has empowered thousands across constituencies, fostered employment creation, and stimulated economic growth.
“If two constituencies can speak of 2,000 trainees, imagine multiplying that across all 156 constituencies—this is a revolution in skills development,” she said.
Addressing the graduates directly, she encouraged them to work with “excellence and humility,” continue learning, and serve as agents of positive change. “Let your education be seen not only in your skills but also in your conduct,” she urged.
Meanwhile, the Director of Adult Education at Riverside Farm Institute praised the students for their resilience, stating that they were equipped with both technical abilities and moral grounding, preparing them to contribute meaningfully to national development.
Delivering a vote of thanks, graduate Alex Kapingila pledged that the class would put their newly acquired skills to practical use and work to uplift their communities.
The ceremony concluded with renewed calls for strengthened community involvement in skills training and continued government support for grassroots development initiatives.
By Samuel Mbewe
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