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FOCOLD sends teen mothers back to school 

Foundation for Community Livelihood and Development (Focold) has awarded 40-teen-mothers from Traditional Authorities Kapeni and Makata in Blantyre a scholarship worth K800 000 ($1428.57) to enable them continue with education.

Presenting the donation at Matindi Community Day Secondary School on Monday, FOCOLD executive director, Jones Mwalwanda, said the organisation decided to support those who could not afford to enroll back to school due to financial constraints.TEEN-MOM

He said FOCOLD is taking advantage of government’s readmission policy to support teen mothers through its sexual reproductive health project.

“These are the people whose parents have lost trust in, their parents are not ready to release funds for their education for fear that they might disappoint them again by coming back home pregnant.”

“But we are sponsoring them believing that they have learnt their lesson and will follow a different direction in life,” said Mwalwanda.

He said the sponsorship, which will carter for school fees, uniforms, will continue until they finish secondary school education.

“We are also working closely with parents and guardians of these teen mothers so that they encourage and assist them in caring for the babies to enable the young mothers concentrate on education,” Mwalwanda said.

Councillor for Matindi Ward, Pius Holeya advised the girls to show their appreciation by working hard in school.

“These girls must call themselves lucky because there are many others out there waiting for a chance like this one.  This is an area which has a 25 percent school drop-out due to poverty as many parents are unable to raise money for the school fees of their children,” said Holeya.

He thanked FOCOLD for the support, saying it will go a long way in ensuring that the area has educated women.

 

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