UK’s Against All Odds intensifies charity initiatives for Malawian women, needy students

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The United Kingdom-based charity, Against All Odds Still Standing (AOS) has intensified its initiative of helping needy students and empowering women economically.

AOS Chief executive officer Fikelephi Jackson, is in the country touring projects under the organisation.

Among other activities, AOS runs an economic empowerment initiative for women and a bursary program for needy students.

Jackson on Thursday, May 23, 2024 visited Urban Women Business Forum in Lilongwe’s Area 49 where 18 needy women are undergoing an economic empowerment training.

“We have been in Malawi for the past ten years. We paused during COVID-19 because of travel restrictions. We are reviving our charity work in Malawi. We want to give hope to the vulnerable by providing them with resources to start fishing towards their livelihoods.

“We expect to reach out many women and young girls with start pack packages to any business, farming one wants to venture into for daily income generating activities. We hope with this support, case of domestic violence might be also reduced,” assures Jackson.

AOS is also supporting 10 needy students, including five girls.

Mphatso Mathews, now a final year student at University of Malawi, disclosed in an interview that he has been a beneficiary of AOS since 2014.

Apart from school fees, Mathews has been getting a monthly allowance, clothes, shoes and other things including a laptop up to this day.

“I am currently in the final year studying Bachelor of Science in Mathematics. I’m very grateful for the support rendered to me for the years. I would like to assured Madam Jackson that the support offered wont be in vain,” lauds Mathews.

In her remarks, Living Waters Church evangelist Brenda Banda who is supporting AOS by training women on entrepreneurship and financial literacy expects the initiative beneficiaries to enhance their livelihoods.

AOS Chief Jackson, an evangelist is a survivor of many odds including domestic violence.

She has been through a season of a number of pain but her life was restored, “I realized that God gave me a second chance in life for nothing but go back and pick up needy women, girls, boys for my support”.

Jackson on her to Malawi, is accompanied by a passionate Congolese young lady Ester Elingo who wants to inspire Malawian youths in charity work.

Lloyd M’bwana

I’m a Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resource (LUANAR)’s Environmental Science graduate (Malawi) and UK’s ICM Journalism and Media studies scholar. Also University of Malawi (UNIMA) Library Science Scholar. I have been The Malawi Country Manager and duty editor for the Maravi Post since 2019. My duty editor’s job is to ensure that the news is covered properly, that it is delivered on time, and that it is created to the standards set out in the editorial guidelines of the Maravi Post.