In January 2024, walkers taking part in our ‘50 miles in 30 days’ challenge raised £6,449 to support a project in Malawi helping vulnerable girls with their education. Thank you so much to everyone who took part – and please read on to see how you have been changing lives this year!
15-year-old *Asale had only just started her secondary education when she was forced to leave school for non-payment of fees.
She was living with her elderly grandmother, after her parents’ marriage broke down and her new stepmother rejected her. School was one of the only things in her life which gave her hope.
“I could not ask fees from my dad who does not want me, and my granny could not afford it,” she recalls. “It was hard for me because I thought my dream of becoming a nurse has ended. I used to cry every day because I wanted to be in school, but I didn’t know how.”
Thankfully, a deputy headteacher at Asale’s school shared her plight with our partners in Malawi, Muthange, and they were happy to step in. In early 2024, Asale came back to school. Her fees are paid, and she is also being supplied with schoolbooks and other essentials. “It was my happiest moment ever,” says Asale, excitedly.
Our partners Muthange say: “When we went to meet Asale, she was just smiling telling us that now it will be possible for her dream to come true. She is so thankful and encouraged us to keep on doing the good work we are doing even to others. She promises to work hard so that she can make Muthange and granny proud.
Asale’s grandmother said she was praying for God to provide for her grandchild, and she feels God has answered her prayer. “It was hard for me to help with all she needed but now the burden is eased,” she said.
Asale is one of 50 marginalised students being supported through hardship by Muthange, up from 30 in 2023.
While Muthange focus most of their resources on girls, they also support some boys. This year, this included 18-year-old *Matthew, who became responsible for his three younger siblings when his older brother left home, their parents having abandoned them years ago. He was struggling to complete his education, but now knows he will be able to graduate high school. “Muthange came at the right time, when I didn’t know what to do,” he says. “Muthange is like an angel to me, which has brought much joy to my life.” Matthew wants to become a lecturer.
More, more, more…
However, Muthange’s work is not just about supporting individuals in crisis. They also want to encourage and motivate girls, challenging cultural practices which turn a blind eye to school dropout, early marriage and fail to keep children safe.
This year this has included:
- running mentoring programmes in two secondary schools, including offering 1-1 counselling which uncovered safeguarding issues and stories of hardship which they were able to raise with the school, families and other authorities.
- a special day for 130 girls from both schools called ‘The Enemies of Success’, where they discussed habits to be cultivated and habits to be dropped if they want to succeed at school, and Bible teaching on sexual purity. They gave all participants schoolbooks, pens and reusable sanitary pads.
- distributing 250 bible study guides to secondary students and giving schools 38 bibles thanks to a new partnership with Scripture Union Malawi.
- giving solar lamps to children without lighting at home – students said they struggled to progress for reasons including lack of opportunity for homework due to long commutes to and from school, the need to do chores, and lack of light after nightfall. Muthange distributed 40 solar lamps to support learning at home.
- safeguarding training. At one primary school, the team reported: “The most encouraging thing was that the group was eager to learn and admitted that they have never had such a training and many were not aware of child rights. The chief said the training was an eye opener to them and he promised he is going to call for a meeting for his community to share what they have learnt.”