117 university students get Ntila scholarships

He headed his family when he was 14 years  after losing his mother. To him life was over as he had to look after his four younger siblings.

“I remember my neighbour telling me that I am no longer 14 years old, but 30 and should take up the role of a father and mother to look after my siblings,” recalls Frances Nkhoma, a student of Polytechnic whose life has change after receiving the Edith Ntila bursary.

Dorothy Tembo is an orphan who also benefited from the bursary scheme. She graduated from Bunda College in 2006 and won a scholarship to study Master’s Degree at Makelele University.

Tembo said her life has changed as she is now able to support herself and relatives.

President Joyce Banda introduced the bursary scheme in to help under privileged students who do not go to school because of lack of school fees.

Speaking at Sanjika Palace in Blantyre when she was awarding scholarships to 117 students to study at the University of Malawi, Banda said she is passionate about education and loves the work of giving to others.

She says the scholarship is in honor of her late mother, Edith Ntila.

“I thought it wise to honor my mother as she knew the importance of education though she was not educated. She did her very best to send me and my siblings to school because she realized we can be whatever we want with education,” Said the Malawi leader.

Banda said she will continue to educate the children of Malawi through her many programs as one way of investing in them.

In her touching speech, Banda has urged the corporate world, individuals and organizations to support needy student.

“We all can make a difference if we help one student through secondary to University. We have the capacity many of us but we live it to government only, government requires support as well,” said Banda.

Banda further appealed to donors to consider helping tertiary education and not just primary education.

Managing Director of Joyce Banda International, Edith Akridge commended the president for the generosity and left everyone with food for thought wondering how Malawi would be like if there were 100 Joyce Banda’s.

Edith Ntila foundation has given K5 million to the University of Malawi to sponsor 200 students through different constituents of the University of Malawi.

President Banda has always had a passion about helping people. She has founded many organizations that have seen women being empowered and self-reliant.

President Banda with awardees
Nkhoma, one of the pioneer beneficiary of Ntila scholarships
University of Malawi members pose with awardees and Joyce Banda Foundation Director

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