Foundation pledges to continue inspiring girls
Othakarhaka Charity Foundation’s Girls Arts Empowerment Camps has pledged to continue inspiring girls in Mulanje.
Hilary Thomas, daughter to Othakarhaka’s main donor Don Thomas from Switzerland, made the pledge on Monday during the third edition of the Girls Arts Empowerment Camp.
Speaking in an interview on Monday, Hilary said what started as a single time visit to Malawi has grown to be part of the foundation and it has contributed a lot to vulnerable girls’ education.
“When we first came to Malawi in 2017, we just wanted to appreciate what our dad was doing. We ended up crafting a training session for girls he funds through the charity. So, we came and taught them arts,” she said, adding that the lessons helped the girls in their education.
During the Arts Empowerment Camps, Hillary and her sister Jillien teach girls under Othakarhaka bursary some skills such as story writing and telling, poetry, martial arts, music and dancing.
One of the girls, Jesca Kapalamula, said martial arts lessons give her confidence and self-esteem and that she is able to defend herself from sexual harassment and other forms of violence. At least 51 girls participated in the 2019 Girls Arts Empowerment Camp and graduated with certificates of attendance
