Growing up in the rural areas of Kasungu district is tough. Especially if you are a child who really wants to go to school. Even with the free primary education which the government of Malawi introduced way back in 1994, children (especially in rural areas) still find it is not always easy to access quality education. Especially if you are a girl.
    
For many girls education means a gateway to fulfilling their dreams because without a good education no one can pull themselves out of poverty and create a better life for themselves. Mphatso Mwale is a shining example of a girl who has seen value in getting educated, and has been able to pursue this thanks to the Join My Village project, which is providing her and over 300 other girls with scholarships to enable her to be in secondary school.

“I feel it from deep down in my heart that if it were not for my Join My Village scholarship, I would have been home and married by now like many of my primary school friends who succumbed to the pressure of the people in the community and got married at as young as 13 years old.” Mphatso explains how staying in school and finishing her education not only provides her with more opportunities for the future, but also helps her avoid traditional societal pressures such as early marriage.

An educated girl has a voice, can make sound decisions and can also stand on her own and support her family and relatives. “I am very thankful to Join My Village because of this scholarship” added Mphatso.

Education is one of the powerful tools these girls have been given and it is no doubt that these girls will not only be successful women, but also responsible mothers, and better equipped to  protect themselves from being exploited sexually which also reduces the chances of them being infected with HIV and AIDS.