Educating and empowering youth
As in many developing nations, larger cities and towns in Malawi have experienced significant economic growth and development this century even as rural areas remain largely dependent on subsistence agriculture, with few opportunities for self-improvement and continuing acceptance of cultural traditions including child marriage and having children work on family farms instead of attending school.
Crossroads’ partner group started work in one remote area by both building a small school and drilling a borehole so children could be released from collecting water from the river and have time to attend school. Since then, the NGO has continued to build classrooms, adding one grade level each year, finding teachers willing to work in the countryside, funding students’ education and establishing a vocational training facility teaching such subjects as agriculture, building trades, business & computer skills, soap making and tailoring.
Hundreds of their graduates are now gainfully employed or running their own businesses and have established a community fund to expand the reach of these projects.
This shipment will include school furniture, computer equipment, electrical and hand tools for the building skills workshops, crutches and wheelchairs for handicapped students, as well as stationery supplies and sports equipment.
Friends Magret, Esimie, and Agnes went from unemployed and unskilled to successful entrepreneurs after completing a tailoring and entrepreneurship course. With the help of a microloan, they purchased sewing machines and opened their own shop. Their wide range of services attracts customers from neighbouring areas, boosting the local economy. These women are now able to support their families and are seen as an inspiration in their community.
Chikondi Batson’s education would have finished at primary school level if our partners had not established a secondary school in his community. He deeply values the financial support he received, which allowed him to complete both secondary and tertiary studies, culminating in his recent Bachelor of Business Administration degree. But even more than that, he credits the extracurricular projects run by our partners as being truly transformative: “We learned to be reliable citizens and stand firm in making our community better. Voluntary work in primary schools and hospitals really helped me understand that I have a great role to play in my community.”
The new classrooms allow students to attend class year-round – even in the rainy season – but having desks and chairs will make life even more comfortable and convenient! This shipment will include a lot of classroom furniture and equipment.
Crossroads’ partners have the goal of fund-raising for materials and providing labour to construct at least one double classroom each year.
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