The Big Interview

Rose Msipu: Educator, adviser and care giver

She is an educator, a care giver and an adviser who is more passionate about children and women’s development. She is the founder of Praise Nursery School—the only pre-education centre in Chiuzira, a semi-urban location in Area 23 in Lilongwe. She is also an entrepreneur and the co-founder of a village savings and loans initiative in her area.rose

May I know you?

My name is Rose Msipu. I am a 40-year-old woman who comes from Traditional Authority (T/A) Mwambo in Jali, Zomba. I was born in a Christian family of 10 children with me being the third born. I am married and have five children; four girls and a boy. I can call myself a care-giver, unskilled teacher, a tutor and an entrepreneur involved in small-enterprises such as charcoal business.

Tell me about your upbringing

We used to move a lot because my father was a Malawi Defense Force (MDF) officer. So, I have been to a lot of schools for my basic education. I started my primary school in Salima for my standard one to three. Then we transferred to Mzuzu. When I was in Standard Seven, we went to Mvera where I wrote my Primary School Leaving Certificate of Education (PSLCE). I did my secondary education at Mayaka in Zomba.

I learnt a lot about children and their welfare through helping my parents care for my siblings, cousins and other children who used to come to our home. After completing my secondary education, I got involved in a lot of projects and volunteered in initiatives that aimed at child rights and development; and community mobilisation in Zomba. However, I did not go far with this because I got married and moved to Lilongwe.  

Tell me about the children’s centre

I am very interested in children’s welfare, especially those who are vulnerable and underprivileged. When I came to Lilongwe, I became saddened with children’s well-being in my area and other semi-urban areas. I noticed that most children are unprepared for primary schools and when they are between eight and 11. They end up under-performing in class. I then noticed that there were no pre-school education programmes such as nursery schools for these children. I realised that most parents did not understand the importance of sending a little boy or girl to such trainings. I saw the need for a nursery school. I discussed this with my husband who works at the Ministry of Education and he was impressed. So I started the Praise Nursery School with less than 20 children. My target was children under the age six whose parents or guardians could not afford to pay for them in private nursery schools. After some time, the number grew to 30. After a year, I had to employ two teachers to help me with the children as the number started increasing daily.

However, I could not manage to run the school, pay the teachers and sometimes feed the children since they were now over 50. It was still difficult even after the children started paying K500 as fees. So, after running the school for over five years, I have temporarily closed it due lack of financial support. I cannot afford to pay the teachers and parents around here cannot afford to pay more than they have been paying. I have even rented out the school blocks and I save money to buy more resources needed. I am also currently looking for support and will re-open the school after having all resources needed. However, I still teach some children who are brought here sometimes.

What is your most valued lesson in life?

We did not have a privileged childhood as life was challenging sometimes. But I learned about sharing and volunteerism while I was still young from my parents.

You are the founder of a village savings and loans group in this area. Tell me about this?

There are 48 of us. We save money and take small loans from these savings. At the end of every six months, we share the contributions. Members can also take credit from the savings. We have been running this for two years. We just call it Bankinkhonde, similar to those other VSLs that are becoming popular across the country.

Firstly, you should know that I enjoy reading! I read newspapers, magazines and other books, especially about children and women’s development. So, I have come across various articles about women empowerment in communities through groupings such as the VSLs. I know from experience that it is difficult for women to succeed and achieve greater things without support from others, particularly fellow women. In VSLs, women support each other.  I also believed that the VSL is a sustainable initiative that results in women empowerment. A lot of women living in rural-urban areas have challenges in accessing capital to start businesses and many still rely on their husbands and relatives to meet their daily needs. I believed VSL was the starting point. So, I engaged other few women in my area and were impressed with the idea and together we formed the group.  We meet every Saturdays and make a considerable contribution every month. most of the women are involved in small-scale business such as selling merchandise or running coffin workshops and tailoring shops where they are also providing employment to other women.  I am a member of the steering committee of the group. Our vision is to help each other become independent and develop our families.

You are also a recognised adviser on children’s rights and girl empowerment. How do you do this?

As you can see, this is a semi-urban area where a lot of children and girls do not care about education. There are some parents who do not believe in the importance of early childhood development which includes enrolling children to pre-school education to prepare them before they start their primary education. It has been my responsibility to enlighten such parents and guardians on the importance of education and every child’s universal right to education. I did not go far with my education, but I do not want others, especially girls to miss education when they are many of opportunities nowadays. I want young women and boys in our communities to realise their potential while they are still young.  When we meet on Saturdays, we also discuss how we can reach out to fellow women and girls and encourage them to do businesses and work hard in school. Sometimes we call the women and have a chat with them. I also give talks on children’s rights and career development to girls at church and to those who visit me at home. I always tell girls to realise that education is the key to empowerment and success.

How has your family helped you become who you are?

I thank God for my family which has helped me a lot throughout my life. My husband, especially has played a big role in my life. He is the one who encouraged me to start a nursery school.

How do you spend your free time?

I love reading! I read a lot of newspapers, newsletters, magazines and books to know what happens in other areas and countries and what people are doing to develop their areas. I also like reading the Bible. I am a devoted Christian belonging to the Anglican Church. I also spend time with children who usually come to my house, especially in the afternoon and weekends. n

 

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