Don’t rush into marriages, NGO advises children
Hope Plus Organisation has urged primary school learners in Mzimba North to resist early marriages.
The organisation’s executive director Samuel Gondwe said this on Friday at Jombo and Holera primary schools during end of the year closing ceremonies.
He said: “Don’t let anyone discourage you from pursuing your education. We believe in you and your potential to achieve greatness.
“Take care of yourselves during the school holidays and return for the next academic term with renewed determination to achieve your dreams.”
Gondwe said the organisation’s objectives include empowering primary and secondary school learners, particularly girls, to prioritise education over early marriages.
He said they offer an inspiring and supportive environment, led by girls mentors who have overcome their own challenges.
“Some of the mentors had previously dropped out of school but are now returning to pursue their studies posing as role models,” said Gondwe.
Mzimba North social welfare assistant officer Benjamin Gozalimo commended the organisation for its contribution to combating school dropouts, teenage pregnancies, early marriages and sexually transmitted infections among girls in Jombo and Enukweni.
“The organisation’s efforts through the safe space mentorship initiative are commendable and we appreciate their strides in tackling these challenges,” he said.
The organisation, with funding from Hidden Charity Foundation, is implementing a two-year project dubbed Adolescent Girls and Young Women Empowerment in Traditional Authority Mtwalo.
