Monica Sande,now 20 from Chilonga Village of Traditional Authority Namabvi, is the first born in a family of 5 children (2 girls and 3 boys). She had successfully completed her Malawi School Certificate of Education level in the year 2021 and has been active in her community’s youth SRHR initiatives that she serves as a Vice Chairperson to Fowo Zonal Youth Network that oversees the work of almost 30 youth SRHR and girls clubs in her area.
Visiting her traditionally grass-thatched home,one is amazed at the sight of healthy goats feeding near her house. She explains how, at 17 years, as a needy Form 3 girl student and at risk of teen pregnancy and child marriage from the Lungwena Community Day Secondary School,she was identified to benefit from the CYECE’s girls’ education support livestock pass on scheme.
My parents could not afford to pay my fees as well as other school related materials, but when I was given these goats everything changed; says Monica. Before this opportunity was presented to her, she was on the verge of dropping out of school as the family, just from their farming proceeds were not able to carter for her education and that of her other two siblings that were by then in Form 1 and Standard 8. She managed to write her MSCE in 2021 and the other siblings are being supported through their education as well.
After repaying some goats to the next beneficiary at her previous school,Monica is now a proud owner of a total eight healthy goats. Supported by her family and a Veterinary Officer in her area,the goats are reproducing every year and she generates capital from goat selling to boost her small scale businesses such as zitenje(women’s wrappers), washing powdered soap, kanyenya (fried fish) and rice selling. I am now an independent woman and my dream is to be successful in business. I would like to encourage fellow girls not to look down upon themselves because everyone has their potential if given appropriate support; saysMonica.
Mrs Sande,Monica’s mother was all thanks to CYECE for giving her family the opportunity to educate their girl-child and improve their household economic status. She explains; “as a parents, we were called for a five days training at Namalaka centre on how we can rear goats, support girls education needs and prevent child marriage, and given goats” says Monica’s mother. Mrs Sande understood what this intervention was all about; educating a girl child. She did not take it lightly but she made sure that she supported her daughter and helped in rearing the goats accordingly.
This intervention did not help Monica only but the whole family as they are able to have day to day basic needs and educate the other two siblings. Monica, now educated, empowered, not yet married and as a youth leader, inspires her fellow girls in her community as a role model. She encourages other girls who are in their youth network and she is benefiting from different organization as she is being recognized as an agent of change.
Monica’s story demonstrates how economically empowered women can be crucial for supporting girls’ SRHR and education needs and the empowerment that is realized in the supported girls to prevent unplanned pregnancies and child marriages while meaningfully participating in decision making processes in their communities.
Rise Up, Speak Out and Act Against Child Marriage is a CYECE’s five-year project (2019 -2023) that is being funded by IM Swedish Development Partner targeting both in and out-of-school young people aged between 13 and 23 in two Traditional Authorities of Namabvi and Nankumba in Mangochi district with a primary goal to ensure that girls in the district complete their education and lead healthy and empowered lives.