Martha gonthi: turned her pain into hope for others

She was defiled at the age of eight, but gradually got up her feet and decided to fight the evil that robbed her of her childhood with all vigour and determination. Running an organisation that fights child abuse since the age of 19, she is an inspiration. Her name is Martha Gonthi, founder and managing director of Young Givers Foundation. She shares her story with Precious Kumbani.

Tell us more about yourself;

I was born on 4 November 23 years ago in a family of four girls and two boys, I am the last but one. My dad passed on three years ago and I am staying with my mother and brother. I did my primary and secondary education in Blantyre. I went to our Lady of Wisdom and North Park Secondary schools. I am currently studying online with IATA International Travel and Tourism doing my diploma two. Soon after finishing my diploma one, I went to Mozambique in 2013 where I worked with Quinta Essencia as a travel agent for one year. I plan to further my studies to degree level as soon as I am done with diploma two.

How did the Young Givers Foundation organisation start?

I founded the organisation in 2011 when I was 19. Actually, my own story inspired me. I was raped at the age of eight. It was a horrible experience and worse still, I never told anyone about it, not even my parents and it was eating me inside. I was traumatised and that affected me psychologically as I lived in fear and was always having nightmares. When I was in Form Three, I became tired of the pressure within, it was too much. I started drinking and smoking, trying to forget everything. I gave up on life and at times wanted to commit suicide but I thank God for the people that supported me and put me on my feet. Growing up, I started to understand the situation I was in and felt the need to talk to someone about it. The first person I talked to was my dad. He encouraged me and helped me to open up. I also thank this friend of mine Anita Moses who helped me take out the fear by encouraging me to talk things out, took me for an HIV test and counselling. That is when I felt the need to help others who have gone through the same experience on how to pick up pieces of their lives and those who have not gone through it to be careful.

Why did you decide to keep it to yourself?

I was terrified and did not understand the whole issue. The monster showed me a knife and threatened to kill me if I dared to reveal the ordeal to anyone. For years, I spent most of my days indoors; I never went out to play. I eventually became so sensitive to male individuals starting from my father, brothers or even male teachers.

How many young people have benefited from the foundation?

Young Givers foundation has reached out to many people since its inception. I can say up to 25 thousand young people across the country in schools and villages   I also provide financial support to the less privileged. For instance, I have a special case of a 14-year-old-girl who was raped and impregnated. She just gave birth to a baby boy and I plan to send her back to school. I have been supporting her psychologically and financially and as I am talking now the rapist is in police custody. I also support a nine -year-old-boy who I came across at one of the schools we visited. He was not concentrating in school because of various challenges he was facing at home. We went to see his place and I personally decided to take him as my responsibility. The organisation now wants to empower his mother by giving her business capital to enable her support the family.

I also do volunteer work like teaching in orphanages and childcare centres and sometimes I give myself special time with sick children in hospitals. I have a lot of feedback, especially on my Facebook page where people write, explaining what they are going through and I have always supported them

Who funds Young Givers Foundation?

There is no permanent donor although I have written proposals for funding since there’s really need to reach out to more people. I am indebted to my dad who right after I shared my plans with him supported me beginning with the registration of the organisation. I started the organisation with the little savings I had and my dad could always provide me with resources whenever I was going out on a mission. At first I did not need so much money because all I was doing was book appointments with schools and have a talk with the children may be during break time or after lessons. Some schools could organise events and invite me for a motivational talk. Today the organisation is big and the need for proper funding is huge.

At the moment we are only three, working on voluntary basis. We share an office with Legal Care in room 203 Vanmali building in Blantyre. The organisation understands what we do and they just provided us with an office for free.

I hear you are organising a fun run on November 28, tell us more about this?

Yes the fun run is on. All preparations are almost over. We are trying to raise awareness on child rights issues and also raise some funds and boost our activities. The fun run will start from Blantyre Old Town Hall to Kamuzu Upper Stadium.

What are the future plans for both your life and organisation?

The future looks promising. All I think of is Young Givers Foundation. I want this organisation to grow, I want to reach out to as many children as possible in all corners of Malawi and beyond.

The world needs to understand that child abuse is real, people need to open their eyes and see what is really happening on the ground. It’s an issue that needs holistic approach, children are suffering out there and we need to help them. Children also need to understand these things; know how to protect themselves and who to talk to.

On the other hand, I look forward to having my own family and children. The day I will hold my first child will be the best day of my life.

Whose foot steps do you want to follow?

Marie Da Silva, of Jacaranda Foundation, that woman is an angel on earth, was blessed to serve and save others and she does it the best way. I salute her, I want to be like her.

Any last word?

I wish government, NGOs and the civil society could do more in fighting child abuse. I want these monsters that defile children and rape women to be given a life sentence.

And I think it’s high time we start teaching our boys to respect women. We need to talk to them while they are young. They need to know at an early age about evils of abusing girls and women. I believe if they start respecting girls at a tender age, in future we will not have men looking down on women as sex objects. I must also indicate that there are boys out there being molested and suffering. They too must be protected.