Meet 27-year-old Dorothy Daka, a shining beacon of hope in Malawi’s quest for girls’ education.
With a compassion heart and a spirit that refuses to be silenced, she has dedicated her life to empowering girls break free from the shackles of poverty and ignorance.
As such in May 2023, she founded an organisation called Kukaya Kwithu to create a safe space for girls in her community.
Through her tireless charity work, Dorothy has inspired countless young minds to pursue their dreams, providing them with educational resources, mentorship and a safe space to grow.
Her mantra is simple, yet powerful: “Educate a girl, empower a nation.”
Dorothy’s passion for empowering girls through education is inspired by her own experiences.
Growing up in a community where girls were often denied education, she saw firsthand the devastating impact it had on their lives.
She recalls girls as young as 13 years being forced into early marriages, others becoming pregnant and many more being relegated to domestic chores.
These experiences ignited a fire within Deborah, driving her to create change.
“After moving to one of Blantyre’s high-density area in Nsika Wa Njala, Chemusa Township, I noticed a significant number of low-income households,” she says.
Dorothy says many children lacked proper clothing and were often sent home because of unpaid development fund balances or simply stayed at home due to lack of motivation.
To address this, she started free weekend tutoring services for children who couldn’t afford part-time lessons,
The 27-year-old also introduced a feeding programme, offering meals after classes to motivate attendance and learning.
This initiative quickly grew, attracting over 150 children to her house every weekend within just two weeks.
Kukaya kwithu is now home to 12 girls with the youngest being three years old.
Dorothy raises them as her own, sending them back to school.
She is now a proud mother to intelligent and smart young girls.
“Some of my daughters were school dropouts, some lacked motivation and some had never stepped foot in a classroom at the age of 10. When I took them in, they all failed examinations, but I did not give up on them,” she narrates.
A year later, Dorothy says they children have adapted well with four attaining first positions in a class of over 100.
Some of them got positions 3, 5 and 7. One is in secondary school others are still in kindergarten.
As Dorothy’s work gained momentum, she noticed a profound shift in the girls she is helping.
They were no longer timid and shy, but became confident and outspoken, with a renewed sense of purpose and determination.
Stories of her children fuel Dorothy’s passion, reminding her that empowering girls through education is not just a moral imperative, but a powerful catalyst for transformation.
While she enjoys caring for her children, she faces challenges.
“Sometimes people in my community disapprove of my commitment to raising girls alone because social norms equate raising children with a husband,” she laments.
Financial support is also taking a toll on her profound passion.
“Money distracts my desire to give my girls a better life, but I am working towards my financial muscle to be better,” she says.
A graduate of Mzuzu University with a bachelor’s in Tourism, Dorothy never imagined she would be do something contrary to her profession.
She intends to open a learning centre for underprivileged children to access education just like any child.
As Dorothy walks the streets every day, she feels the urge to do more because more girls are being eliminated from formal education due to reasons beyond their control.
She believes that making an impact in a community does not mean starting huge, but small and grow slowly.
She believes support comes eventually from people surrounding a just cause.
Dorothy remembers how the faces of her girls shined when a renowned musician Onesimus visited them.
“They were inspired by his kind words and encouragement, with my youngest deciding to become a singer when she grows up,” she says.
Despite these challenges, Dorothy remains committed to her charity work and to raising her children to be compassionate, educated and empowered individuals.
As she navigates the complexities of balancing her passions and responsibilities, her story serves as a powerful reminder that even the smallest actions can have a profound impact on the lives of others.
Through her tireless efforts, Dorothy is not only transforming the lives of girls and women in Malawi, but also inspiring a new generation of leaders and change-makers – starting with her own children.
