WHEN the United Libala Youth Multipurpose Cooperative Society secured a K75,000 CDF loan in 2023 to set up a car wash in Libala, the aim was simple: create work for young people who had none. Two years on, Community Car Wash has employed eight youths. For those working there, the project has become less about entrepreneurship slogans and more about day-to-day survival, discipline and staying out of trouble. Ruth Sakala, 23, who works as a customer attendant at the car wash, says the opportunity has helped her and others avoid destructive paths common among idle youths. Sakala says employment under the project has shown her that alternatives exist. “I’m Ruth Sakala, I’m 23, and I work as a customer attendant...
