Plan International Malawi has embarked on a project to construct two girls’ hostels at Kanjaluni Community Day Secondary School (CDSS) in Kasungu North.
The move, to cost K36 million ($64285), follows demonstrated desire by communities in Chisemphere and Chatoloma to help promote education in the area.
Among others, the communities constructed a girls’ hostel with local resources to house students living far from the school.
Speaking when she laid a foundation stone for the hostel project, Plan Malawi country director Lily Ormondi hailed the commitment by the community, saying their action moved her organisation to assist.
“It is really difficult to help someone who doesn’t even know they need help. But the people here have always been vigilant towards our programmes most of which are designed to improve the area’s socio-economic lives,” said Ormondi.
“They have always demanded development projects and supported the same throughout their implementation. We just could not find a better partner for this project.”
She said the two hostels, which are part of Plan Malawi’s Keeping Girls in School 18+ project, will each house 40 students.
Minister of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare Patricia Kaliati said most girls lacked role models to inspire them to stay in school.
She warned the students against complacency, stressing that the world rarely entertains lame excuses from failures. n
