Chakwera Donates K120 Million to Needy Students
Chakwera donates K120M to 427 needy students in Malawi, writes Esther Banda.
LILONGWE, Malawi — President Lazarus Chakwera donated K120 million on Wednesday to 427 needy students from six public universities in Malawi, writes Esther Banda.
The donation, which was made through the Presidential Charity Initiative Committee, will go towards paying the students' fee arrears, accommodation, and upkeep.
Speaking at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe, Chakwera said he made the donation because he believes that education is the key to Malawi's development.
"Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world," he said.
"That is why I am committed to ensuring that every Malawian child has access to quality education."
Chakwera also commended the leadership of the Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST) for establishing an endowment fund to support needy students.
"MUST is leading the way in ensuring that no student is denied an education because of financial constraints," he said.
The Minister of Education, Willima Kambauwa, said the government is working on a plan to ensure that all public universities have their own endowment funds.
"We are committed to ensuring that every Malawian child has access to quality education, regardless of their financial background," she said.
The chairperson of the Presidential Charity Initiative Committee, Vizenge Kumwenda, said the committee will be holding a fundraising golf tournament on October 7 to raise more funds for needy students.
"We are confident that we will be able to raise more funds than we did last year," he said.
The donation by President Chakwera has been welcomed by students and education stakeholders.
"This is a huge relief to many of us who have been struggling to pay our fees," said Patrick Savala, who represented the needy students.
"We are grateful to President Chakwera for his support."
Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST) Vice Chancellor Address Malata has called for the sustainability of the donation by President Chakwera to needy students.
Malata said the donation is a good gesture, but it is important to find a sustainable way to support needy students.
“This is a good gesture by the president, but we need to find a way to make this sustainable,” Malata said.
“We need to find a way to ensure that no student is denied an education because of financial constraints.”
Malata said MUST has established an endowment fund to support needy students, but the fund is still small.
The donation is a sign of the government's commitment to ensuring that every Malawian child has access to quality education.