Felia Malola

For someone who made a mistake and got expelled from school, she did not relent or bow down to pressures of early marriage. Today, Felia Malola is a woman who has a lot of dependants that are widows, orphans, the elderly and the physically challenged. She shares her story with DUMASE ZGAMBO-MAPEMBA.

Who is Felia Malola?

I was born on December 6 1969 in Ngabu, Chikhwawa. I am the only child of Mr. and Mrs. Maguza. I am married to Lloyd and we have three children. I did my primary school at Makande Model School in Ngabu before being selected to Stella Maris Secondary School. I went to Blantyre Teachers’ Training College and obtained a teaching certificate. Then I did a diploma in Youth in Development Work with Bunda College of Agriculture in conjunction with Zimbabwe Open University. I am studying for an honours degree in childhood and youth studies with UK Open University.

Tell us about your family?

I was born in an average family and grew up in the village. My parents worked very hard for me to go to school. As a person who grew up in a village near a township, I admired my friends who were coming from well-to-do families. After I was selected to go to Stella Maris Secondary School I was expelled. However, because I wanted to be successful, I went to Makande Community Day Secondary School. I passed the Junior Certificate (JC) examinations and I was the only girl who did very well. I was selected to go to Stella Maris Secondary School again. Unfortunately, I was not allowed to continue with my education there since I had been expelled the first time. So, I went back to the community day secondary school before going to Radson Private School. Then I went to Blantyre Teachers’ College and thereafter taught for 10 years.

What dreams did you have while growing up?

I wanted to fight for girls’ rights. I didn’t want girls to be denied education. I think that’s why I am a member of Malawi Girl Guides Association. Another dream was to share whatever I had with those who have nothing. I hated to see children in the streets begging and people taking advantage of them by assaulting or raping them, among others. It is still my dream to see all street children and other vulnerable children being sent to school.

Take us through the highs and lows of your career journey.

I loved to be a teacher. One of the exciting moments was when I realised that in each school I taught both teachers and children liked me. I remember while transferring from one school to another, my former pupils cried for me. There was one physically challenged pupil who cried aloud and wanted to go with me. I cried too. It was a sign that I was a good teacher and I thank God for that. I disliked seeing a fellow teacher administering corporal punishment. I didn’t like seeing vulnerable children being ignored by teachers and their peers.

When did you establish Pashello Charitable Trust and why?

Since I got married, my husband and I have been helping our relations, mostly mine. Then it was the whole village. As a family we realised we had a job to do. Almost every one needed our help. That’s when we thought of registering an NGO. Of course, it was finally registered in 2011. Our three children inspired us. They also like supporting less privileged children. And that’s why we thought of calling it Pashello Charitable Trust. Pashello stands for our children Patrick, Sheilla and Lloyd. I quit teaching to concentrate on the trust.

What motivated you to start helping others?

It took me time to realise I was the only child as there were a lot of people in our home who were mainly orphans. My parents taught me to take care of the less priviledged whether I have the resources or not. It was the same with my husband. They were 12 children in their family but they still lived with a lot of vulnerable children. I remember at one time there were about 30 people in their house and it was really a challenge especially how they had to be fed and where they had to sleep. Their house wasn’t that big. My husband and I have the same background.

What exactly does the trust do?

It helps orphans and other vulnerable children, widows, school dropouts, elderly, people living with HIV and Aids, physically challenged and the visually impaired students and parents.

How many people have so far benefitted from the Trust?

Pashello is assisting over 1000 people with over 500 at our head office in Ngabu and others in Lilongwe and other CBOs. Our vision is to reach out to people national wide.

How is it funded?

Our main donor is Debbie Banda Ministries International (DBMI). We also ask for help locally. My husband is another big donor. We mostly have big fundraising functions once a month. We donate clothes, blankets and food items to beneficiaries I have mentioned above. We are also paying school fees for children at Makande Model School. On September 29 we are visiting old people aged 70 to 100 in Ndirande, Blantyre. We are asking for well-wishers to help.

As a founder, what does your work involve?

This trust takes up almost all of my time. The biggest challenge is how I will accomplish our mission. How do I make the poor smile? God is doing it in a wonderful way.

What big sacrifices have you made in life?

To leave my professional job was a big sacrifice. I couldn’t manage to combine the two. I chose to work for the less privileged.

Tell us about your involvement with DBMI.

Apostle Debbie Banda–Viggs (the founder of DBMI) who is in America decided to partner with Pashello Charitable Trust. They send us money every month to help with our activities. With DBMI, through their outreach ministry known as Women of Purpose Foundation, we are going to build a wellness centre or clinic in Malawi where women and children can get free medical treatment. We are also promoting orphans or vulnerable girls’ education from primary to university level, among others.

Do you have time for your family?

It’s not easy to balance family and work time. I am usually tired after doing the Trust’s work but at the same time I need to cook for my family, hahaha! I am trying.

What do you do in your free time?

I usually meet youths from my church since I am their matron. I encourage them to grow up fearing the Lord so that they become responsible citizens. I encourage girls to work hard in school to become independent women. I encourage them to share the little they have with their friends who don’t have.

Who is your role model?

Apostle Debbie Banda-Viggs. She is a God-fearing woman who wants to promote the lives of the less priviledged. She almost gives everything she has to the poor. I wish all women were like her. I believe God Himself inspired me to do what I am doing and also how my parents brought me up played a part.

How do you plan to sustain the trust?

We would like to introduce empowerment programmes to our beneficiaries such as income generating activities and long term support rather than just donating to them. We would like to teach them how to fish rather than giving them fish.