‘So far my classes are progressing very well’ remarks Joseph Manthalu, ‘we have completed three modules for the first year and we will now be going into the second year’.
In my role as a Youth Development Officer for the Malawi government, I work directly with youth organisations, youth clubs and other youth stakeholders. My academic training has helped me apply evidence based approaches in designing programs, facilitating youth led initiatives and addressing the diverse need of young people.
Balancing academic study and field work has allowed me to bridge theory and practice. I can now apply Child and Youth Care principles when planning child and youth outreach activities and coordinating with other stakeholders at the district level. The synergy between my studies and professional role has deepened my understanding of what it means to truly support and advocate for youth in holistic and sustainable ways.
I can now apply Child and Youth Care principles when planning child and youth outreach activities and coordinating with other stakeholders at the district level.
My name is Martha Chinsinga, and I work with Government of Malawi as a District Youth Officer Responsible for Blantyre City Council. Iam truly honored and excited to be part of the NIHR-GHRG scholarship, which has enabled me to pursue a Master of Social Science in Child and Youth Care; this is a long held dream of mine. This journey is being transformative, both professionally and personally. the modules have deepened my understanding of the challenges children and youth face, particularly in urban setting like Blantyre.
A major highlight has been learning how to engage with children and youth from diverse backgrounds, placing empathy and love at the centre of my work.
I am gaining valuable insights into development theories and practical tools for advocacy care and support. A major highlight has been learning how to engage with children and youth from diverse backgrounds, placing empathy and love at the centre of my work. This programme is not only shaping my career but also enhancing my ability to make meaningful, lasting change in the lives young people across Malawi.
Bridging Practice, Research, and Policy through Capacity Strengthening
These postgraduate journeys reflect the core ambition of the Capacity Strengthening & Training (Work Strand 1): to develop long-term, local research and leadership capacity in adolescent health and wellbeing. The MSc in Child and Youth Care Studies, delivered by the University of Strathclyde, offers a unique interdisciplinary lens that aligns closely with the NIHR-GHRG’s focus areas, from safeguarding and rights-based approaches to understanding risk and resilience, and supporting mental health in marginalised youth. The course’s emphasis on reflective practice, policy engagement, and evidence-based intervention design is enabling Joseph and Martha to connect frontline realities with wider systems change. Their lived experiences and applied learning are not only shaping their day-to-day roles but also strengthening the foundations for sustainable, context-specific research that will inform future policy and programming in Malawi.
