Sarah’s blog 11/10/22
We want to celebrate International Day of The Girl by showing you some of the amazing girls who we help support in rural northern Malawi. Through a variety of projects, we are supporting hundreds of vulnerable girls and boys. However, this post is about the girls and how their lives are improving through the projects in rural northern Malawi.
Because many families struggle to feed all their children, the teenage girls are at risk of being married off too young. Matching the most vulnerable with sponsors has ensured there is some food going into their homes each month to supplement their income and make things a little bit easier.
Matching girls with sponsors enables them to stay in school and have a chance at a brighter future. Better literacy and numeracy and, hopefully, a choice of career after finishing school. They are encouraged to use the library and have access to a variety of subjects of books.
The period poverty project enables girls to have access to education full time like the boys do. Previously, girls had to stay at home for a week every month feeling embarrassment and shame at what is a normal bodily function. We sent hand turn sewing machines, fabric and sewing supplies and some of the girls have been making reusable sanitary towels for those who need them. They have also been making drawstring bags and girls have received; a drawstring bag, 5 reusable sanitary towels, 3 pairs of pants, 2 bars of soap and a health information leaflet. This project is a relatively cheap way of empowering girls and making a big difference in their lives.
Young people are encouraged to learn life skills like agriculture, animal husbandry, basket weaving, knitting, sewing and cooking. As well as helping them prepare for the future, these activities are keeping the young people busy and helps prevent accidental pregnancies.
Girls are encouraged to play team games and keep fit and healthy. They enjoy netball, rugby and football and their self-confidence is growing as they learn new skills and spend time with their friends.
Thank you to all the sponsors who are helping support girls. There are many more girls who would benefit from being matched with a sponsor to enable them to have a brighter future. It’s only £25 per month and you can sponsor as an individual, a family, two friends sharing the cost, a business or a club. Email me if you would like to get involved and help support a vulnerable girl today contact_us@changinglivesmalawi.com
We should never forget that these girls are amazing and will have bright futures if they are nurtured and given opportunities. Despite the trauma of losing loved ones, being hungry and cold and whatever else life has thrown at them, these girls are survivors, and they will achieve great things. Thanks for reading, Sarah x
Margaret is now going to secondary school thanks to her sponsor. As you can see, she has been learning to sew on the hand turn sewing machines we sent.
