Charity: I want to change the stories of young women from marginalized backgrounds

7 minute read

Our background must never limit our desires and ambitions

To be where I am today has taken years of determination. Growing up, I wanted to study accounting. But everything changed when I lost my father — my family was drained by poverty, and attending school suddenly became out of reach.

When I received support from CAMFED, it took away poverty as a thorn in my journey and gave me more reasons to work hard. CAMFED supported me with all the necessities to remain in school. 

At a leadership camp, CAMFED brought in role models and among them was a female human rights lawyer. After her presentation, I felt like I had found a perfect career that would help me protect other children from injustices. 

“When Susan Silika, Executive Director of CAMFED Malawi, asked me “what do you want to be in the future?” I told her, “I want to be a lawyer”

That camp was the beginning of my story, and that conversation set off an unbreakable driving force within me. 

There is nothing impossible for a young girl to achieve 

My desire to practice law has strengthened day by day. I worked hard and achieved 10 points (a Distinction) in my Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE), the national high school leaving examination. I was also awarded Best Student in the National Secondary Schools Category by the Shire Highlands Education Division.

Me as a young student

Aside from my interest in law, I also had a love for mathematics, so I pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Actuarial Sciences. I got a distinction and won a Dean’s List award from my university. 

That performance made me eligible to apply for law school. Among the 300+ shortlisted candidates, I was one of the 55 selected. I am now in my third year of law school and more excited than ever to continue with this journey. 

“I am looking forward to the day when I get to defend the voiceless and show the world that there is nothing impossible due to poverty.”

However, my journey was not without its challenges. I found the period of transition from secondary school to higher education particularly difficult. 

To help us navigate this, CAMFED organized a variety of camps where we could learn more about pursuing further education and how to look after our mental health.  

I see those camps, together with the continued financial support from CAMFED, as the most important things that have helped me achieve my dream. 

Standing for the marginalized 

Law has helped me understand Malawi’s systems better. I am always excited to read cases, statutes and articles because I learn so much beyond the classroom. The harder it seems, the more knowledge I acquire. 

“I believe my law degree will open more doors for my voice to be heard. In doing so, I can stand for the most marginalized and raise a voice for the voiceless.” 

My favorite subject is Human Rights because I have realized that if everyone could secure their fundamental rights enshrined by our laws, Malawi would be a better country for everyone and the world would have fewer marginalized people.  

I believe my legal career has the capability to change the stories of young women from marginalized backgrounds. My hope is that one day I will have no limit to helping young women either financially, mentally or legally. That hope is what keeps me going. 

Recently, I participated in the 2026 Nelson Mandela World Human Rights Moot Court competition, as part of the University of Malawi team. We qualified for the semi-final round! Standing as a role model in front of students from around the world is one of my proudest moments on my journey so far. 

Participating in the 2026 Nelson Mandela World Human Rights Moot Court competition

Guiding young women into their next chapter 

After completing high school, I volunteered as a Transition Guide — supporting recent school graduates in my community to start businesses, seek employment and access further education.

Looking at how education had shaped my decisions and career, I wanted to be a role model for young women and help them fulfil their potential. I encouraged them to believe in themselves and to pursue all the opportunities in front of them. 

“I believe that the girls I have mentored will create opportunities for future generations, and turn the tide of poverty.”

One of the students I mentored, Trinity, inspired me. She was devastated after failing to secure a place at a public university and thought of giving up on school. I encouraged her, and she remained determined to either repeat or apply to a private university. With limited resources to repeat, she applied to many institutions and was enrolled at Malawi Institute of Tourism. She is now in her second year, and I am always proud of her. Trinity’s story teaches me the power of determination. She stood firm on what she wanted, and now she is a testimony of having a role model. 

Seeing young women I have mentored progressing fuels my desire to mentor others. Their achievements are testament to how important it is to have a guide you can look up to. 

Being a Transition Guide has also shaped how I make my decisions and how I live personally. I will always cherish the opportunity to serve as a Transition Guide and I will continue to mentor young women whenever I can.  

Mentoring other young girls in my community

The sisterhood that feels like home 

Being a Transition Guide has shown me the power of having a role model, and I have many of my own in the CAMFED Association.

Everything feels possible when it comes to the CAMFED Association (CAMA) — Africa’s fastest growing network of women leaders, educated with CAMFED’s support. 

“The CAMFED Association feels like a family, where sisters celebrate each other’s achievements and inspire one another to achieve more.”

Me (third from left) with my CAMFED Association sisters during our CAMA Week of Service. (Photo Credit: Edna Salila/CAMFED)

When our victory in the Nelson Mandela Moot Court competition was reported, my CAMFED Association sisters were everywhere rooting for us and showing how proud they were. Their encouragement motivated me more. 

Seeing my sisters succeed in different professions and businesses makes the phrase “everything is possible” feel alive, while the peer support, skills-sharing and drive for financial independence keep us moving forward together. 

“CAMA (CAMFED Association) members are such a support system — the CAMFED Association feels like home.” 

My words to every young girl  

I will forever love the motto that says that “When you educate a girl child, you’ve educated the whole nation.” Girls’ education is the most efficient and effective way to give women the knowledge, confidence and opportunities to shape their own futures. 

We are witnesses of women becoming leaders, doctors, lawyers, engineers, bank managers, politicians, and at the root of all these successes is education. Girls’ education is the catalyst for change. 

“My words to every young girl are that our background must never limit our desires and ambitions. With hard work, determination and a supportive community  everything is possible. The sky is the limit.”