ASPIRE TO INSPIRE

So many times I have said, you do not need to have a lot, in order to make a difference. Sometimes all you need is you, there is a part of you that somebody desires, somebody wishes for. Sometimes it is your experiences in life, maybe you went through what you did to help someone. I have grown to believe in the potential Malawians have to push other Malawians forward. Recently also, I have come to believe in the potential Malawian youth have to make a difference. Some of us have already started, with nothing, with just us, but already lives have been wildly transformed in all the small ways that mean so much more.

Some months back I had three young ladies who wanted to inspire Voices Awake girls. They came , talked to the girls, did a dress drive and dressed the girls up, it was amazing. Today, we were sharing stories on how our lives have changed since Voices Awake started. Surprisingly most of the girls shared how their lives have been transformed through interactions with people who came in to inspire them. One girl in particular shared this story:

It was a Voices Awake “Doll me up” event.  It was an event created by 3 Malawian young ladies, the masterminds of LOVING ARMS MALAWI. These ladies came to inspire us and dress us up. On this day, one particular 23 year old shared her story. She shared how her mother died when she was a few months old and her experiences in life as a Malawian girl. She said, “Despite the hardships I faced due to growing up without a mother and being raised by different people, I decided to work hard in school, I am now done with my education, I am working, I am able to provide for myself and other people.

Her story spoke to my heart. My mother and father separated when I was in grade 6. My mother left and we are being raised by my father who has no job, he barely raises money to support my siblings and I, the eldest two got married. It’s now my brother and I still in school, with support from well-wishers. I am 14 years old, the only girl at home, it was my mother who did all the household chores, but since she left I became the woman of the house. All her duties became mine. As a result, my performance in class went down.

I was invited to Voices Awake, by some of my friends who were a part of the program, and that is how I met these ladies. After I heard the story, I thought to myself- “I don’t live with my mum, but she is still alive. Why am I having low self-esteem? “I told myself I will not pity myself anymore, but I will rise.

My attitude towards school changed immediately. My performance in class improved, I work hard in science subjects especially Mathematics even though my peers say Girls do not do well in science subjects. I close my ears and work hard. I know where I want to be, and who I want to be like, so I continue working hard in class.

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Her name is Maggie, she has passed her Primary School leaving certificate Examinations with flying colours. She was selected to a government secondary school. She still needs support in her school fees, in case you want to sponsor her, email me at mwangalav@gmail.com ,or call on +265888191832