Caroline Kafumbwe, 24, of Lomoliwa Village in Phalombe, was a Pirimiti Community Day Secondary School star student.
However, her dream of becoming a nurse was battered by frequent cyclones, including Idai in 2019, Ana and Gombe in 2022, and Freddy last year.
The devastating tropical storms shattered homes, crops and schools in her village.
“We fled in our night clothes,” she recalls. “My family sought shelter at the overcrowded Migowi camp, where food and water were scarce.”
Like many children in affected areas, Caroline dropped out of school.
Megan Duncan, 22, from Mtota Village in Balaka, dropped out after Cyclone Ana.
The two represent millions of girls whose education is disrupted by disasters induced by climate change.
Unicef estimates that over 104 million children and young people in disaster-affected regions are out of school globally, more than one-third of the total out-of-school population.
In sub-Saharan Africa, where the climate crisis is worsening, about 28 million children are at risk of missing out on education.
But Caroline and Megan can now afford a smile. They are among 20 young women learning tailoring at the Development Aid from People to People (Dapp) Mikolongwe Vocational School in Chiradzulu.
They are learning to craft beautiful backpacks, doormats, tablemats and reusable sanitary pads from second-hand textiles.
These women see themselves becoming skilled tailors, transforming textiles into income-generating products.
“I never thought I’d have this chance again,” says Caroline, crafting a doormat while Megan sews a pillowcase.
A restored sense of purpose has replaced the despair that once loomed large.
“We teach them to make everything from backpacks to reusable sanitary materials from the remaining textiles from Dapp shops,” says instructor Deborah Suleman.
The college reuses rejects from Dapp shops as teaching tools.
“The initiative, launched in 2023, equips young women with skills to create products that are not only functional but also environmentally sustainable,” says Suleman.
Most secondhand clothing imports to Malawi are deemed suitable for re-use, with minimal rejection. Most Malawians do not see clothes as disposable waste, but a valuable resource that is used, re-used and even altered for new purposes.
Dapp Mikolongwe Vocational School principal Charles Salema says the programme aims to create a cadre of skilled tailors, entrepreneurs and environmental stewards.
“Reusing clothing and textiles not only conserves resources but also provides a unique economic opportunity,” he says. “Our goal is to transform these young people into change-makers. They’re learning to take charge of global innovations and help build resilience in their communities.”
Malawi, like many African countries, is grappling with the severe impacts of climate change, including disasters that have become more frequent and devastating.
The World Bank reports that flooding in the country has increased by 70 percent in the last three decades, while frequent droughts disrupt agriculture, the lifeblood of the ailing economy.
Studies show that about 80 percent of the country’s population depends on rain-fed agriculture, making them highly vulnerable to climate shifts.
For young people like Caroline and Megan, Dapp’s training represents a lifeline.
The skills acquired enable them to support themselves and contribute to environmental sustainability.
Since 1995, Dapp Malawi has implemented a series of projects to combat climate change, including sustainable agriculture and environmental conservation.
The Second-Hand Clothes and Shoes Project has created thousands of jobs and provides affordable clothing, shoes and accessories to the nation while funding critical community development programmes, including in health and education.
As Caroline and Megan fashion their latest offerings, their futures are no longer bound by the devastation of the past. They are learning to become change agents in their communities, ready to contribute to the global fight against climate change.
In a country where 60 percent of the population is aged below 25, empowering the youth with the skills and knowledge to tackle these challenges is not just essential. It is the key to a more sustainable future.
