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Tabitha kasongo: queens hub forum founder & agricultural economist  

At only 23 years old, Tabitha Kasongo has contributed so much to her community. Currently serving as a CorpsAfrica volunteer, the young Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics graduate is an insightful program coordinator with two years of social-economic development leadership experience.

She is the founder of the Queens Hub Forum, an organisation which consists of ladies who have chosen to be exceptional, agents of change, and be a voice for young vulnerable girls. The forum aims to empower ladies into becoming exceptional Queens.

It brings together ladies from all over Malawi, and other African countries. So far, the forum has over 314 members. Under the Forum, Tabitha has overseen reach out programmes, motivational talks to young girls in schools and local communities, as well as facilitated online entrepreneurship seminars.

“Queens Hub Forum was founded by me and my Partner Joy Nachipo, after doing research on issues that women face in rural society. As Queens Hub ladies, we try to address those issues, because we believe that women are stronger together” said Tabitha.

“It’s easier when women give each other helping hands, because at least you know you have someone who can relate to your situation. When a woman realizes that she’s not alone, it makes all the difference!” she added.

Tabitha remains inspired with the application of economics to the production and distribution of food products with a motive to influence food policy, agriculture policy and environmental policy in the agrarian economy of Malawi and beyond.

As an agricultural economist, Tabitha helps find the necessary interventions to help agricultural process systems using economics. Which is one of the reasons why she chose to do a tree distribution exercise in her community using micro grant project funding that she got from being a volunteer under CorpsAfrica.

The tree planting exercise was funded by CorpsAfrica under an initiative called CorpsAfrica green. The project was chosen because of the climatic changes that Malawi is currently experiencing which has started to affect the Malawian economy due to less agriculture produce.

The project was conducted under a participatory approach so that the community members would learn the importance of taking care of trees. It was conducted in  Traditional Authority Nsakambewa in Dowa District. The forests trees and fruit trees were distributed to each household. She also distributed 100 tree seedlings to Ndunje Primary School, because she wanted the students to learn about the responsibilities of taking care of the environment. She used the motto, “My tree, my responsibility.”

Besides that, she also facilitated the construction of a classroom block project. As a CorpsAfrica volunteer, the project was being funded by MasterCard foundation and the main objective was to improve standard of education at Ndunje primary school.

“The decision was prioritised after I had a series of meetings with the community members and analysed the poor performance due to poor learning infrastructure. The project has benefited 180 students directly as they were learning under trees” she said.

Tabitha also conducted a Covid-19 awareness campaign, with a grant that she won under CorpsAfrica. The awareness was done at Ndunje Primary School, and Group Village head Jumbe community, which comprises of 13 villages. The awareness was conducted to remove the myths that people had towards Covid-19, and to learn the proper use of face masks.

“The awareness campaign involved distribution of face masks and handwashing buckets in public places. The initiative was successful as community members started wearing face masks correctly and there was an increase in the number of vaccinated people” said Tabitha.

“Being a volunteer under CorpsAfrica has exposed me to different working environments and it has pushed me out of my comfort zone. I am able to handle different projects and deliver excellently, I am able to work with all kinds of people and I am also and bring hope to women, children and other vulnerable groups as well” she adds.

During her final year in university, Tabitha joined a programme called the ‘Hatch Incubation Programme’ which was set up to help early-stage and idea-stage entrepreneurs establish viable, sustainable, and socially conscious business models.

“The programme was aimed at training young entrepreneurs to start and maintain a profitable firm. Professional development, guidance, and mentoring were provided through various capacity building trainings, as well as seed capital grants. Joining this program was good for me as I was able to start piggery farming which became a successful business.

“I started this business not only for my personal gain but to also create employment for others. I can boldly say that I have employed youths who support their families through my livestock business. It is important to me because as much as I am helping them support their families, I am also contributing to the country’s GDP” she adds.

To Tabitha, community development is important, because rural areas are one of the few places where there is development.

“It brings me joy to be one the catalyst of development in rural areas. Community development empowers community members and creates stronger and more connected communities” said Tabitha.

Tabitha was also named as young Sub-Saharan leader for Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Innovation (Stemi) makers, Africa. She joined Stemi makers as a young Sub-Saharan leader when she was in university, under a project called Kuongoza Mentoring Programme.

“My time under the Kuongoza mentorship programme was successful as I was assigned with a great mentor. To be honest I can say that the mentorship program really helped me realize myself and my goals. Fifty percent of what is happening in my life right now is the fruits of the Kuongoza mentorship programme” said Tabitha.

Tabitha Kasongo is from Zomba, and was born in a family of six, with her being the last born. She recently graduate from the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

What inspires her about what she does is being able to interact and learn with people of all age groups. But what she likes least is when people see her for the first time, and underrate her due to her age.

“The main challenge that I faced in the beginning was my age. The community members expected someone who was in their mid-30’s. A lot of them thought that the work was too big for me, but with time they accepted me and became a role model in my community” said Tabitha.

Despite some of these challenges, Tabitha still thrived and has a lot that she is proud of.

“Seeing my work change people’s lives as well as being a catalyst for positive change in my community is something that I am very proud of” said Tabitha.

When asked what she is motivated by, Tabitha expresses that her father is the main motivating factor for all that she has done and continues to do.

“My father motivates me in everything that I do, and in everything that I have done and will continue to do, I do to make him proud” said Tabitha.

Her advice to young girls is to start wherever they.

“What you have is all you need in your journey to success. Believe in yourself that you can do it” said Tabitha.

During her free time, Tabitha likes to bake, cook and travel.

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