Catherine: I identify children facing challenges and step in

7 minute read

Every learner deserves encouragement, guidance, and someone to walk the journey with them. I use my story to inspire those around me to pursue their goals and believe in their potential.

I am the third born child from a family of seven, and grew up in a village in Mwanza district, Malawi. My parents depended on farming to provide for our day-to-day needs. We faced persistent financial difficulties, meaning mine and my siblings’ education was far from secure.

From a young age, I lacked basic items such as writing materials and a decent school uniform. I remember sometimes I could not go to school because my uniform was in bad shape. It made me feel discouraged and sad, and often I was too uncomfortable to play with my friends. I tried stitching it together but eventually could no longer mend it.

I stayed home for a week hoping my parents could buy me a new school uniform but knowing deep down that they couldn’t afford it. Then, my classroom teacher stepped in and bought me a new one using money she made from selling vegetables grown in the school garden.

A growing network of community support

In spite of the challenges, I worked hard and was selected to a national girls’ secondary school. The news about my selection to this school was good, but it also brought fear and uncertainty. I knew my parents couldn’t pay the school fees. 

But when my primary school headteacher and the village leader learned of my situation, they provided recommendation letters for me to give to the social welfare office in my district, asking that I be considered for a bursary. That’s when I was referred to CAMFED for support.

At secondary school, CAMFED supported me with essential items to help me thrive. I remember having enough notebooks for each learning subject, a full set of school uniform — including shoes, socks, a jersey, skirt and two blouses — as well as washing powder, bathing soap and blankets. I was so excited and motivated to focus in class, do my assignments and work with my fellow students during group discussions and study time.

I also gained the support of a CAMFED Teacher Mentor (a government teacher with additional training in supporting vulnerable children) called Madam Kazako. She helped me get settled and used to a boarding school life. She was always there for me, guiding me and encouraging me to work hard in my academics.

After completing my secondary education, I joined the CAMFED Association — the sisterhood of women leaders educated with CAMFED support. I chose to train and volunteer as a Learner Guide (peer mentor) to give back to my community and support other learners.

The CAMFED Association is all about inspiring hope. Here I am (on the right) celebrating our founding sister and CAMFED’s CEO, Angeline Murimirwa (center), when her leadership for girls’ education was recognized on TIME100.

Creating a supportive learning environment

Being a Learner Guide has been a rewarding opportunity for me to develop my leadership skills and deepen my understanding of education, while fostering a sense of community among learners. As part of the program, I delivered My Better World life skills and self-development sessions, conducted home visits, and offered guidance and counseling. These activities encouraged children to stay engaged and motivated at school.

I also offered personalized assistance by conducting study circles, with help from the Teacher Mentor and class teachers, to improve students’ understanding of various subjects. Together, these efforts create a more supportive learning environment that nurtures academic success.

Beyond my official capacity, I was able to identify children facing challenges and step in to buy school materials like pens and notebooks.

Taking my education to new heights

I have consistently performed well academically — often being at the top of my class — so always believed I could make it to university. The support I received from CAMFED reinforced this belief, assuring me that I had the potential to pursue higher education. Encouragement from my CAMFED Association sisters also helped me solidify my aspirations and strive for success.

When I became pregnant and faced the difficult decision to leave my four-month-old child with my parents, I felt a weight of uncertainty particularly burdensome for young women. Unlike young men, who often do not confront the same societal pressures and challenges when balancing family and education, I found myself at a crossroads where my ambitions and responsibilities clashed.

In that moment of vulnerability, my parents and relatives did everything possible to care for my child, despite our financial challenges. My CAMFED Association sisters also offered unwavering encouragement and understanding, helping me navigate my fears. They reminded me of the importance of my further studies and provided practical advice on balancing motherhood and education.

This sisterhood support model enables us all to navigate the unique hurdles we face. It creates a network of strength that allows us to pursue our dreams while overcoming the societal challenges that threaten to hold us back. It ensures that no one is left behind — carrying each member along the journey of life and breaking down barriers to the education for disadvantaged girls and young women.

I held onto my place at Mzuzu University to pursue a degree in Education. Having understood the significant impact a supportive teacher can have on a student’s life, and the overall importance of education for girls and communities, I wanted to fuel greater transformation. I believe that through education I can help others realize their potential, just as I did.

My degree course further reinforced my belief in educational equity, motivating me to champion the rights of marginalized groups. Additionally, I gained a deep understanding of various teaching strategies and how to adapt them to meet diverse learning needs, enabling me to create inclusive learning environments.

I am a proud member of the CAMFED Association Development Team, who gathered from across Africa at this leadership Summit held in Malawi in August 2025. (I am standing on the far left.)

Collective action for inclusive education

After my studies I started work for CAMFED Malawi, assisting District Programs operations by managing entitlements for our clients. During a distribution exercise, I noticed that some items had been returned from a certain school. I followed up with the headteacher and learned that the student assigned those returned entitlements was not coming to school regularly.

The main cause was that his parents often had to travel in search of jobs so that they could earn a living. They could seldom find work in order to support their child to go to school. Also, in their absence he rarely had enough food to eat or the encouragement to attend classes.

I was so moved after hearing this story that I reached out to the CAMFED Association Cluster Chairperson to explain the issue to her.

The boy started attending classes again after finding a second family and source of strength in the CAMFED Association. I’m so proud that we can go the extra mile, extending the reach of CAMFED and other support structures. It warms my heart so much to know that the CAMFED Association is a light and a beacon of hope to the most disadvantaged children in this world.

Igniting the power of an African sisterhood

In 2025, I was excited to join the CAMFED Association Development team. In my role, I work to highlight the impact of CAMFED Association members by documenting their success stories, as well as supporting activities that strengthen the network, helping to foster connections and collaboration among members.

In the same year I had the opportunity to support preparations for the CAMFED Association Summit, which we hosted in Malawi. It was wonderful to meet my fellow sisters from Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. During the five-day gathering we engaged in valuable discussion, networking, and practical sessions about leadership, financial planning and more.

The most rewarding aspect of my work is witnessing the transformative impact of educated young women taking collective action with and for their communities. By sharing resources, knowledge, and experiences, we help each other to overcome obstacles. Together we advocate for girls’ rights, support one another in pursuing education, and create opportunities for leadership — paving the way for future generations to thrive.