Chikwawa Youth-Led NGO Fights Illiteracy through "Maphunziro" Initiative
Collaboration with local and international partners is seen as a promising path forward to achieve their noble goals.
CHIKWAWA, MALAWI - A youth-led non-governmental organization (NGO) based in Chikwawa, Circle for Community Empowerment (C4CE), is addressing the growing illiteracy levels in their community through the "Maphunziro" initiative, writes Mustafa Makumba.
Established in 2017 by concerned youth from Chikwawa district, the initiative aims to enhance the quality of education in the community by providing underprivileged children with basic school necessities.
Their support has resulted in over 60 students remaining in school despite hailing from underprivileged homes.
The "Maphunziro" initiative selects a group of primary school children and supplies them with school materials such as exercise books, mathematical sets, and school uniforms.
The positive impact of this initiative has garnered appreciation from parents and community leaders, who acknowledge its transformative effect on the lives of many.
Jessie Thole, the chairperson of a mother-group at Phingo Primary School in Traditional Authority (TA) Maseya, expressed her gratitude, stating, "The support from C4CE, along with career talks, is making significant strides in changing the narrative."
School materials are provided as incentives to the best-performing individuals in each class, motivating students to strive for success.
These items are also given to children from humble backgrounds, bridging the gap between the less privileged and the more affluent.
Margret Fredson, a Standard 8 pupil aspiring to become a nurse, shared her profound appreciation for the organization's efforts, noting that her educational journey had improved significantly due to the support.
The organization's impact extends even to junior primary level pupils. Ten-year-old Fynes Gerald, a Standard 5 learner, expressed his aspirations to become a teacher and hoped that C4CE's efforts would help him achieve his dream.
Christina Chirombo, a field officer based in Chikwawa, highlighted the challenges they face during their humanitarian work.
She emphasized the persistent issue of inadequate funding, particularly for community engagements in hard-to-reach areas.
The organization seeks to address these challenges through partnerships with local and international organizations.
In addition to improving education in the community, C4CE collaborates with local and international organizations to address various social issues.
A recent partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through the five-year (2022-2027) "Promoting Results and Outcomes through Policy and Economic Levers (PROPEL) Health" project provided essential training to youth leaders, empowering them to tackle social issues.
The one-week training equipped youth leaders with critical tools, including the vision journey, challenge action tree, leadership or empowerment map, gender balance tree, and cashflow, enhancing their ability to address social problems.
While C4CE and similar local NGOs face financial challenges, their commitment to making a positive impact in their communities remains unwavering.
Collaboration with local and international partners is seen as a promising path forward to achieve their noble goals.