The Salvation Army has urged survivors of child marriages and other girls in Traditional Authority Khombedza in Salima District to work hard in school to achieve their goals.
Speaking on Monday duri ng awareness and distribution of learning materials under the Strengthening Governance to End Child Marriages Project, Salvation Army head of development and services Mathews Tulombolombo said they are supporting the girls to end child marriages.
He said they supported 20 primary and 22 secondary school girls with notebooks, backpacks, shoes, uniforms and sanitary pads.
“Our support will encourage student s to advance with their education. We want to address issues that affect girls’ education such as early marriages and poverty,” said Tulombolombo.
Matenje Se conda r y School Form One student Reyina Isaki commended the Salvation Army for the assistance.
“I am pleased to receive these items as they will help me to remain in school,” she said.
Another beneficiary, Stawa Fretcher, said she will use the materials responsibly.
“The support will motivate me to work hard in school,” she said.
Speaking on behalf of parents, Judith Chalemba said poverty was fuelling child marriages in the area.
“Since we depend on farming for our livelihood, we are constantly facing problems when rain fails. As a result, we cannot support our children’s education,” she said.
Chalemba said they selected beneficiaries based on their academic performance.
She also cited cultural practices and failure by traditional leaders to enforce laws that protect children f rom abuse as reasons contributing towards early marriages.
