Street-connected child-cum-musician DYSON BILLIAT made headlines after producing his hit song Mchikumbe Walira. He was rescued from the street and sent back to school by the Kaphuka family. After graduating from the University of Malawi in Social Sciences (Gender Studies) in 2021, Billiat has also graduated from India’s Kerala University with a Master in Sociology. Our Staff Writer PATRICK LUNDA engaged him to find out more about his unprecedented achievement. Excerpts:
As a street-connected child, how did you make it to the University?
My life is a reminder of the power of resilience, determination and kindness. Born into adversity, I lived as a street child between 2004 and 2008. However, my fate changed when the Kaphuka family, my foster mum Stella, wife to Jackson Kaphuka, generously sponsored my education from primary to secondary school. In 2014, I passed the Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE) with 15 points. This achievement paved the way for my admission to the University of Malawi’s Chancellor College, where I studied Social Science (Gender Studies) and graduated with a credit in 2021.
How did you find your way to study in India? A
My academic pursuits continued with a scholarship from the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) in 2022. I completed my Master’s degree in Sociology at the University of Kerala, India this year, and have also qualified for PhD studies, which I plan to pursue later.
How, exactly, did you find yourself in the Kaphuka family?
In my biological family, there are three boys, and I am the first-born. My parents died and together with my siblings we were raised by our grandmother. Due to poverty, I dropped out of school and started playing music using a locally-made guitar (banjo), singing at market places and in other areas. Since I was just moving up and down, I found myself in Limbe, Blantyre, where I was singing and people were paying me K10 per song. I was spotted by the Kaphuka family. After seeing that I was young, they asked me if I were interested to go back to school and since school required more resources, they opted to take me to their home where they raised me.
Now that you have made such a great achievement in academics, what is in store for you in music?
Beyond academics, music is an integral part of my being. In 2006, I produced the popular song Mchikumbe Walira. I intend to recreate this iconic track with a contemporary musician, blending traditional Malawian songs with modern styles.
Are you still connected with your fellows on the street you lived? How?
God’s grace, I am the founder and executive director of Help Street Children Foundation (HeSC) founded in 2021. HeSC is a local charity, and through it, I am committed to empowering street and street-connected children through education. With donations from well-wishers, we provide school fees to under-privileged children. One notable success story of these efforts is Boaz Kambale, who scored 12 points in his 2024 MSCE examinations and I am optimistic that he will join the university next year.
What have you learnt from life, losing parents, becoming a street-connected child, adopted and raised by foster parents and graduated from Unima and Kerela in India?
At 30 years of age, I have come full circle. My experiences have taught me that true fulfilment lies in giving back to society. I am eager to return home and contribute to Malawi’s development and look forward to exploring job opportunities. I am ready to work. I am able to take care of my siblings now, although I am not fully-employed. Whatever I find, I share with them. I trust God will bless me more to do more also.n
