The National Youth Service programmes are up and running in the country with hundreds of students having enrolled while others are awaiting graduation despite lack of budgetary support.

Scores of National Youth Service students and graduates are currently engaged in various programmes across the country as the programme which seeks to instill discipline and a sense of nationalism among the country’s young people takes a different approach encompassing volunteering work.

National Youth Service Chief Training Officer Mr Jefferynos Mashanda says though they are facing a number of challenges as a result of lack of budgetary support, the enthusiasm amongst young people in participating in developmental programmes is what has kept the programme running.

Acting Deputy Director Polytechnic Education Mr Christopher Mudzingwa says the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development has come on board to assist National Youth Service students with practical training and to provide them with certificates which will enable them to fend for themselves after the programme.

In Tsholotsho, the graduates and students are involved in clearing of resettlement areas where flood victims will be settled once they are released from the Sipepa Camp where they are currently housed.

Several of these youths will also be engaged in the construction of new houses, roads, clinics and the rehabilitation of roads on a voluntary basis amid calls for government and development partners to come on board and ensure the provision of food and tools to be used in the projects.- agencies