Mponela charity empowers girls through education initiative
Mponela charity GCC supports underprivileged girls to stay in school.
Mponela, Malawi — Girl Child Concern (GCC), a charity organisation based in Mponela, is making significant strides in supporting and motivating underprivileged girls to stay in school, writes Happy Valirani.
Their initiative, named 'Aphunzire Initiative,' has been operational since 2022 and has already benefited 100 needy girls at Chikwete Primary School in the Chitete community of Dowa district.
The initiative focuses on providing essential school supplies such as exercise books, school uniforms, ballpoint pens, soap, and sanitary pads to the top-performing girls in the end-of-term examinations.
Chikumbutso Kamphinga, the founder and director of Girl Child Concern, expressed the organization's commitment to equipping hardworking female learners with the necessary educational and hygiene materials.
"Aphunzire Initiative recognises and rewards the best-performing girls in our school term examinations," Kamphinga explained.
Glory Kachingala, a student in Standard 6 at Chikwete Primary School, is one of the beneficiaries of the initiative.
She shared her gratitude, saying, "I have been a recipient of this initiative three times, and its arrival has greatly improved my education. I strive to work hard in class to be among the top ten and receive these gifts."
Kamphinga highlighted the positive impact of the initiative, stating that it has garnered tremendous feedback from community members.
The initiative fosters a culture of hard work among the girls, serving as a yardstick for academic performance and creating healthy competition among the students.
James Kachingala, Glory's father, expressed his joy at his daughter's academic progress since the intervention of GCC in the area.
As a parent, he acknowledged the challenges faced by girls, particularly those from less privileged backgrounds.
"Sometimes, they are unable to continue their education due to the lack of basic amenities such as soap and uniforms. The Aphunzire Initiative has motivated the girls to work harder because they are inspired by the school materials they receive from GCC. As a parent, I am grateful for the Aphunzire Initiative," Kachingala shared.
Luka Bwanamdoko, the Senior Group Village Headman of Chitete, praised the impact of Girl Child Concern's presence in the community, stating that it has inspired girls to strive for excellence.
He emphasised that the Aphunzire Initiative plays a vital role in reducing cases of child marriages, child labour, early pregnancies, and child prostitution that are prevalent in the district.
In addition to providing essential gifts, the organisation organises sports days where students come together to engage in various sports activities, promoting fitness and fostering stronger relationships among peers.
While relying on contributions from well-wishers, corporate institutions, and members of the organisation, Kamphinga acknowledged the financial challenges faced by Girl Child Concern.
Nevertheless, he expressed the organization's determination to expand its reach to support more vulnerable girls in Dowa district and beyond.
Through the 'Aphunzire Initiative,' Girl Child Concern (GCC) continues to empower and uplift underprivileged girls, creating a brighter future for them and enabling them to overcome barriers to education.