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“Motivation and education: my contribution to making the Commonwealth fairer”

April 14th, 2018

chimwemwe-manyozoChimwemwe Manyozo, 28 is, Commonwealth Correspondent from Lilongwe, Malawai and co-founder of Maphunziro265, a youth development reflects on its contribution to making the Commonwealth fairer, more secure, more sustainable and more prosperous. 

As we are drawing close to the Commonwealth Heads of Government and Commonwealth Youth Forum, I have been battling with the Question ‘How have I contributed to making the Commonwealth fairer, more secure, more sustainable and more prosperous?’ Am I making the commonwealth better or worse? This reflection has made to develop this blog that I will share with you today.  In this blog, I focus on Maphunziro265’s work in contributing to the realization of the Sustainable Development Goal 4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

In one of my numerous trips to provide motivation sessions in Secondary Schools in Malawi, I came across a brilliant young man who asked to have a talk with me privately. The young man told me that he is on the verge of dropping out of school because he cannot afford to pay school fees. When I asked the young man about the cost of his school fees he said he only needed MK6500($8-9) per term.

I co-founded Maphunziro265 to provide a platform that allows individuals and organizations to setup scholarships for students who have dropped out of school and to help those who are on the verge of dropping out. Over 30 scholarships have been created by local celebrities, small and medium businesses and ordinary Malawians. These scholarships have helped people like Idess Bonzo, a teen mother who is now back in school. Or people like Frank Kamwendo who was about to drop out of Zingwangwa Secondary school. Through a Maphunziro265 scholarship, Frank is back in school and was recently recognised with an award for being the best Physics student at his school. Since 2016, over 40 students with stories similar to that of Frank and Idess have returned to school or remained in school due to the Maphunziro265 scholarships.

Beyond the scholarships, currently Maphunziro265 is working on a work and study programme with Mhub, Lilongwe Malawi. This program is aims to help students to work in order to be able to pay for their tuition and upkeep. The programme has started with 15 students from various universities and colleges in Malawi. In January this year, the students were trained in advanced excel skills.  

Work and study programme with Mhub

 Motivation Talks

Maphunziro265 is currently conducting motivation sessions in secondary schools in all the three regions in Malawi. The motivation sessions have so far reached over 5000 students in schools. The sessions have focused on life after secondary school, goal setting and career options. People from different professions, from arts to sciences, are invited to provide more information about their career, and what one has to do to join their chosen career. So far, the sessions have been engaging and quite interactive.

Chimwemwe Manyozo facilitating a standout talk at Malawi Assemblies of God University

 

Maphunziro265 also recognised the need for helping students with the resumes, the writing of cover letters and personal statements, as well as the need for training for job interviews. It has been holding job-related skills training dubbed ‘Standout Talks. ‘The ‘Standout talks’ that have reached over 1000 youth in tertiary institutions and fresh graduates with skills to increase their prospects on the job market. Since February 2017, 17 sessions have been conducted in Blantyre, Lilongwe and Mzuzu in partnership with YALI Fellows, GHC Fellows, Chevening Alumni and the British High Commission. Participants are now able to develop polished application documents.

Motivation Talk at Michiru View Secondary School-Blantyre

About me: I am a Malawian, working to foster human-centred development through research, training and transformational leadership.

I am the co-founder of maphunziro265, a platform created to bridge the information gap between needy students, and scholarship-providing individuals and organizations in Malawi.

I am a 2015/2016 Chevening Scholar studying for an MA Development Studies at the University of Sussex, in Brighton, United Kingdom. I earned my BA Media for Development from University of Malawi, Chancellor College.

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Opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the Commonwealth Youth Programme. Articles are published in a spirit of dialogue, respect and understanding. If you disagree, why not submit a response?
To learn more about becoming a Commonwealth Correspondent please visit: http://www.yourcommonwealth.org/submit-articles/

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chimwemwe-manyozoChimwemwe Manyozo, 28 is, Commonwealth Correspondent from Lilongwe, Malawai and co-founder of Maphunziro265, a youth development reflects on its contribution to making the Commonwealth fairer, more secure, more sustainable and more prosperous. 

As we are drawing close to the Commonwealth Heads of Government and Commonwealth Youth Forum, I have been battling with the Question ‘How have I contributed to making the Commonwealth fairer, more secure, more sustainable and more prosperous?’ Am I making the commonwealth better or worse? This reflection has made to develop this blog that I will share with you today.  In this blog, I focus on Maphunziro265’s work in contributing to the realization of the Sustainable Development Goal 4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

In one of my numerous trips to provide motivation sessions in Secondary Schools in Malawi, I came across a brilliant young man who asked to have a talk with me privately. The young man told me that he is on the verge of dropping out of school because he cannot afford to pay school fees. When I asked the young man about the cost of his school fees he said he only needed MK6500($8-9) per term.

I co-founded Maphunziro265 to provide a platform that allows individuals and organizations to setup scholarships for students who have dropped out of school and to help those who are on the verge of dropping out. Over 30 scholarships have been created by local celebrities, small and medium businesses and ordinary Malawians. These scholarships have helped people like Idess Bonzo, a teen mother who is now back in school. Or people like Frank Kamwendo who was about to drop out of Zingwangwa Secondary school. Through a Maphunziro265 scholarship, Frank is back in school and was recently recognised with an award for being the best Physics student at his school. Since 2016, over 40 students with stories similar to that of Frank and Idess have returned to school or remained in school due to the Maphunziro265 scholarships.

Beyond the scholarships, currently Maphunziro265 is working on a work and study programme with Mhub, Lilongwe Malawi. This program is aims to help students to work in order to be able to pay for their tuition and upkeep. The programme has started with 15 students from various universities and colleges in Malawi. In January this year, the students were trained in advanced excel skills.  

Work and study programme with Mhub

 Motivation Talks

Maphunziro265 is currently conducting motivation sessions in secondary schools in all the three regions in Malawi. The motivation sessions have so far reached over 5000 students in schools. The sessions have focused on life after secondary school, goal setting and career options. People from different professions, from arts to sciences, are invited to provide more information about their career, and what one has to do to join their chosen career. So far, the sessions have been engaging and quite interactive.

Chimwemwe Manyozo facilitating a standout talk at Malawi Assemblies of God University

 

Maphunziro265 also recognised the need for helping students with the resumes, the writing of cover letters and personal statements, as well as the need for training for job interviews. It has been holding job-related skills training dubbed ‘Standout Talks. ‘The ‘Standout talks’ that have reached over 1000 youth in tertiary institutions and fresh graduates with skills to increase their prospects on the job market. Since February 2017, 17 sessions have been conducted in Blantyre, Lilongwe and Mzuzu in partnership with YALI Fellows, GHC Fellows, Chevening Alumni and the British High Commission. Participants are now able to develop polished application documents.

Motivation Talk at Michiru View Secondary School-Blantyre

About me: I am a Malawian, working to foster human-centred development through research, training and transformational leadership.

I am the co-founder of maphunziro265, a platform created to bridge the information gap between needy students, and scholarship-providing individuals and organizations in Malawi.

I am a 2015/2016 Chevening Scholar studying for an MA Development Studies at the University of Sussex, in Brighton, United Kingdom. I earned my BA Media for Development from University of Malawi, Chancellor College.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the Commonwealth Youth Programme. Articles are published in a spirit of dialogue, respect and understanding. If you disagree, why not submit a response?
To learn more about becoming a Commonwealth Correspondent please visit: http://www.yourcommonwealth.org/submit-articles/

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………