Some months ago, our Education Program surveyed all the primary and secondary schools in our catchment area. There were a total of 24 schools: 20 primary and four secondary schools. We are so happy to have successfully conducted the survey and analyzed the results from it, which have helped us to start implementation of some projects. Read our latest blog to learn more about this development.
The Orant Journal
Orant Student Sponsorship: An Investment in Malawian Communities
In Malawi, secondary school prepares students for trade school or university. The catch: it costs money. Many secondary students in Malawi struggle to pay tuition. Their families cannot afford it. John Nyirenda was no exception. “I was chased out of school for failure to pay school fees,” he said.
John grew up in a rural village. He was the last born in a family of five. He explained, “there were not many role models in the village.” But one stood out to him: a nurse at the health center. Seeing how this nurse served others inspired John. He felt called to work in health service. He feared that without an education, this dream would not come true.
At a loss, John talked to the Bowe Parish Priest in Kasungu, Malawi. He discussed the barriers to his education. The priest connected John with Orant Charities Africa.
Orant started paying for John’s tuition in his second year of secondary school. His sponsors continued to support him through college. It took discipline and hard work for John to succeed in his studies. “I was afraid of failure. I did not want to disappoint those paying for my school fees.”
John did not disappoint.
9 years after his sponsorship began, John chose to return to Orant. This time, he worked as a volunteer for Kasese Health Centre. He was still in school, waiting to write his final exams in nursing. After his exams, a position opened up at Orant. John applied, interviewed, and received an offer. Now, he is a Nurse and Midwife Technician. He is registered with the Nurses and Midwives Council of Malawi.
“Working with Orant is a dream come true,” he said. His coworkers make him feel at home. “I am happy that Orant takes care of both its employees and the surrounding community.”
John’s heart is tied to serving others. He wants to continue growing with Orant. Eventually, he hopes to further his education from a diploma to a degree. Then, he plans to pay it forward. “I want to use my resources to help others who are struggling with school fees.” Education, he believes, is a key. “It has transformed my life. It has given me hope and the opportunity to save others. With my salary, I am able to take care of myself and my siblings.”
John Nyirenda’s story exemplifies much of what we hope to do with our programs. John achieved personal success. He accomplished his dreams. But he also made new dreams. And his new dreams involve his community. He will continue to give back. Children will see him as a role model. Ultimately, he will contribute to Malawi’s self-sufficiency. This is Orant’s goal.
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Stories from the Field
Of 20 Orant sponsored students who sat for the Malawi School Certificate of Education Examination (MSCE) last year, 18 qualified for University, and we are thrilled to announce that 14 have secured places at public universities! Of the 14, two are boys and 12 are girls. Read our latest blog and learn more about what this means to Orant.
Some weeks ago, we opened our Orant Nyali Yanga Poetry Competition as a way of encouraging creative expression in Dowa Secondary School Students. We are excited to announce that the competition is still open and the deadline has been extended to July 15th! Read our latest article to learn more about the competition, what it means to us and how important it is to the schools and communities we work with.
Let your light shine with our new poetry competition for secondary school students in Dowa district!
On Saturday, April 27, we are holding a Spring Bingo fundraiser in support of education in rural Malawi. Read today’s blog article to learn more about how your support will help in promoting education in rural Malawi.
Congratulations to the Ulemu Scholarship Recipients! Orant’s Ulemu scholarship seeks to invest in the education of outstanding, hardworking and intelligent Malawian students by sponsoring them towards getting a diploma or bachelor’s degree. Read their bios here!
Meet Jonathan Chikaonda, our sponsored student who got the highest points in his Malawi School Certificate Examinations (MSCE). Read our latest blog to learn more about Jonathan’s journey.
For the first time in the school’s 26-year history, Ngala Community Day Secondary School has a laboratory with lab supplies and chemicals. Read this week’s blog post to feel the excitement Ngala students and teachers share due to this development!
Congratulations to our sponsored student, Alick Nathan. Alick recently graduated from Malawi University of Science and Technology with a Bachelor of Metallurgy and Materials Engineering Honors Degree. Read our latest blog to learn more about Alick’s journey!
Students in our Education Program build relationships with the donors who sponsor them and allow them to attend secondary school in Malawi.