George Amos of Mwalija Village in Chikwawa District stutters into silence when asked about the nightmare he suffered on March 20 2019.
Widespread poverty denies many young Malawians access to education.
This fired up some University of Livingstonia (Unilia) students to do something about the familiar setback.
They came together to help keep needy students in school until their dreams become a reality.
They call their initiative Tipatseni Tiwapatsa, a bridge for all gifts of the givers to reach those who need them most.
The students provide tuition fees, food vouchers, examinations dues and other essentials so that students can learn without worrying about their constraints.
The initiative was founded by concerned students at the Unilia, Ekwendeni Campus.
“Our initiative was built on divine purpose and a burning desire to support the less privileged in our society. We identified a gap and found ways to bring positive change,” says James Ziggy Moyo, a member of the group.
Having witnessed the struggles of needy students at risk of dropping out due to lack of the barest needs, they teamed up to close the gap.
The group believes that education is a trusted tool to lift constrained students from the vicious cycle of poverty in which their families are trapped.
“Our vision is to foster hope, equality and opportunities for all by addressing pressing issues that leave our peers behind,” Moyo states.
His group promotes Sustainable Development Goals to end all forms of poverty and ensure access to quality lifelong learning for all by 2030.
They work with Unilia staff at the campus to identify beneficiaries.
They also help students in communities surrounding their campus and beyond.
They have since reached out to communities in Salima and Nkhotakota districts.
“We are building a movement that values giving and it is gaining momentum,” says Tipatseni Tiwapatsa president Lusungu Sibale.
Her group contributes funds and goods in aid of the less privileged.
They also appeal for assistance from staff and fellow students.
“As a school-based movement, we meet different people in need, but we have no financial muscle to assist them all,” says Sibale. “We’ve to prioritise who to assist and the needs to focus on.”
They conduct fundraising sessions in main stores such as Shoprite Mall or Sana in Mzuzu. They also use social media platforms such as Facebook and X to appeal for assistance.
Second-year student Queen Mkumbwa, one of the beneficiaries, thanks everyone who contributes to the initiative.
“Before they reached out to me, I was facing many challenges. My family couldn’t afford school fees and basic needs. I was worried about my future, but Tipatseni Tikawapatsa Initiative gave me hope and a chance to succeed,” she says.
Mkumbwa says the benevolent students need more support to help more learners.
Concurring, Stefano Nkhoma said the student’s initiative solved his worst worry—school fees.
“When I was selected to Unilia, I didn’t know where my fees would come from. But the organisation came to my rescue,” he says.
The young man often goes to college with inadequate food, groceries and pocket money.
