Salima Youth Spearhead Literacy Program to Aid Struggling Students
In 2025, the group plans to expand the program to two neighbouring schools and support students who cannot afford their termly examination fees.
SALIMA, Malawi— A group of dedicated young people in Salima are transforming their community by championing children's literacy through an impactful grassroots program, writes Thuso Kaphamtengo.
The "Early Education for Community Transformation" project, launched by the Friends of Salima collective in 2021, aims to equip students in grades two through five with vital reading and writing skills.
"We started mobilising resources through social media to purchase exercise books for summer class children, needy learners, and as rewards for academic excellence," said Stephen Piyo Macheso, the program's founder and a Mgoza Primary School alumnus.
Recognising a broader need for literacy support, Macheso and his friends recruited and trained literate youth volunteers to provide targeted instruction with guidance from local primary school teachers.
The program's merit-based approach rewards the top 10 students in each grade to incentivise better performance.
"When we learned about the initiative, we immediately saw its potential," said Mgoza Primary School's head teacher, Jonathan Saulosi, who also conducted a three-day training for the volunteer teachers.
One community member, Miriam Phiri, attested to the initiative's impact, noting a "remarkable improvement" in her children's exam results since joining the program.
The Friends of Salima's efforts have become a beacon of hope, demonstrating that grassroots initiatives can create lasting change in children's education and transform their future.
In 2025, the group plans to expand the program to two neighbouring schools and support students who cannot afford their termly examination fees.