Dester is a 20-year-old young woman from Phalombe District who grew up in a family of six under the care of her single mother. Like many households in rural Malawi, her family faced persistent financial challenges, making access to quality education uncertain beyond primary school.
In 2019, Dester was enrolled in the Othakarhaka (Passing On The Kindness) Scholarship Program and supported from Form One at Phalombe Secondary School. With consistent educational support, she successfully completed her secondary education and is now in her first year at Phalombe Teachers Training College. She is the only child in her family to progress through secondary school and into higher education.
For many girls in rural communities, the journey to education is shaped by significant obstacles. Poverty, domestic responsibilities, early marriage, and limited access to learning facilities continue to prevent thousands of girls from completing their studies. In communities like Dester’s, very few young people advance beyond secondary school, and the barriers are often greater for girls.
Othakarhaka’s scholarship program was established to respond to these realities. The program supports learners across multiple educational pathways, including secondary education, teacher training colleges, vocational institutions, and other higher learning facilities. By investing in diverse forms of education, the program aims to equip young people with practical skills, professional qualifications, and sustainable opportunities for the future.
Dester aspires to become a qualified teacher, support her family financially, and one day help other vulnerable students in her community access education. Her story reflects how targeted educational support can create long-term change, not only for individual students, but for families and communities as a whole.
This initiative is implemented in partnership with I Demand Access (IDA).
