Effie Namwali Foundation board chairperson Jeremy Namwali has cautioned parents in Thyolo District against encouraging their children to go into early marriages as the practice is contributing to poverty in the district.
He said on Sunday at January Primary School in the district when he met girls who returned to school after giving birth at a young age as well as other primary and secondary school girls supported by the organisation.
“This is not the time to force children into marriages. We need to encourage them to go to school because education can help them have a better future,” said Namwali.
He said the organisation will also continue supporting girls in different ways to ensure that those who drop out of school can continue with their education.
Maureen Namwali (Democratic Progressive
Party) singing with beneficiaries. | Ted Likombola
A beneficiary, Tendai Mungomo, thanked the organisation for supporting the education of girls in Thyolo.
Mungomo, who is now in Form One at Addolorata Community Day Secondary School, said the support encouraged her to continue with her education despite becoming a mother at a young age.
January Primary School head teacher Hostings Chole said he was pleased that more girls were developing an interest in education through the support provided by the organisation.
Effie Namwali Foundation is implementing programmes in the district and focusing on the readmission of girls who drop out of school, environmental conservation and adult literacy.
