By Brian Augustus Kanyenda
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Smiley faces and joyful atmosphere described the moment when the Youth Empowerment through Supportive Education (YESE) project awarded scholarships to over 23 students from various universities and colleges to pursue their tertiary education.
The project is implemented by Sunhawk Energy International (SEI), We Are One, Center for Concerned Youth in Development (CECOYD), and Child Legacy International.
This brings the total number of beneficiaries to 40, including 17 students from previous cohorts, with two more expected to be recruited soon according to Loveness Kaomba, the Project Coordinator.
She further said that beyond tertiary education, the YESE project is also making a tangible difference in secondary schools by covering school fees and providing essential learning materials to over 50 learners.
Speaking on the impact of the project, SEI Director of Operations William Banda assured the beneficiaries of continued support throughout their academic journey.
“I want to assure them that we will continue supporting them until they finish their studies. We are providing them with everything they need to eradicate poverty in the Traditional Authority Kalolo area,” said Banda.
He further said that the project includes mentorship and skills development programs for the students.
One of the students, Blessings Kapatuka, a Nursing and Midwifery student at Daeyang Luke University thanked SEI for the scholarship, which rescued her from potential dropout due to financial constraints.
“They have lifted a heavy burden off my shoulders. It was incredibly difficult for my parents to afford my school fees. I used to sell bananas, cucumbers, and oranges just to try and pay, but it was never enough,” she shared.
Another beneficiary, Chancy Shadreck, a student at Namitete Secondary School, said there is an enormous improvement in his academic performance thanks to the project’s support, allowing him to focus on his studies without the previous financial worries.
On her part, Principal Education Officer for the Lilongwe Rural West Education District, Faida Yonamu, commended Mark Boling, the founder of the project for the initiative. She urged the beneficiaries to dedicate themselves to their studies to honor the opportunity provided by the scholarships.
She emphasized the scarcity of such opportunities for many deserving students.
Yonamu also called upon other organizations and companies to follow SEI’s example and partner with the government in supporting students facing financial barriers to education.
“The government is working tirelessly to increase school retention rates. This project has made a positive impact, and we encourage more organizations to come forward and support students in need of school fees and learning materials,” she said.
The for the past two months YESE project has invested at least MK50 million in school fees and learning materials for students in different secondary schools and from higher learning institutions such as MUST, MUBAS, the University of Malawi, Nalikule College of Education, Daeyang Luke University, and MCA, among others.
