JB’s three US scholarship awardees to study at Troy University
The three girls President Joyce Banda awarded to study in the United States (US) on Monday officially got their scholarships to study at Troy University in Alabama for four years.
The scholarships have been made possible with the support of 100X Development Foundation – a US organization founded by one, Lindy Blanchard.
Presenting the scholarships and letters of commitment from Troy University at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe on Monday, President Banda commended 100X Development Foundation for obtaining the scholarships for the girls saying Malawi needed such serious partners.
Said President Banda: “The Blanchard’s commitment to changing the lives of women and children in Malawi through their organization 100X Development Foundation is truly inspiring.
“I respect international partners who respect and understand us because this kind of partnership is what brings positive change.”
The president said she only met Blanchard in New York during the UN General Assembly in September, 2012 and that one of the things they discussed was to widen opportunities for Malawian youth to access tertiary education.
“When I called Lindy on Monday on my way from Mchinji where I had made my commitment to send those brilliant girls to the US, all she said was ‘I’ll get back to you’.
“I’m pleased that today we are witnessing an outcome of the discussions which we had in the US … and that is what friends are for.”
In her remarks, Blanchard, founder of 100X Development Foundation, said it was a great pleasure for her Foundation to be part of the process of developing girl child in Malawi.
“It is out of respect for the President that 100X Development Foundation have ventured into this and it is also because of the heart we have for Malawians that we are part of this,” said Blanchard.
She described Troy University as one the best universities in the US and that the three girls ought to be very proud to study at the university. Hence, she urged the girls to commit themselves to their studies.
Speaking on behalf of the three girls and their guardians, Fanny Lubale, mother to one of the girls, was at loss of words to express her gratitude on the development and she pleaded with the girls to put their efforts in their education once in the US.
The three girls are Vitumbiko Munthali, 16, from Ludzi Girls Secondary School; Martha Njolomole, 16, from St. Mary’s Secondary School and Sandra Lubale, 16 from St. Michaels Secondary School.
The three scored seven points each during the 2012 MSCE exams and they fell second during the Zodiak awarding of scholarships to three other girls who had scored six points each earning their ticket to study in Peoples Republic China.
President Joyce Banda had been moved by the three girls who had scored seven points and she had announced right away at the venue in Mchinji that she was going to offer them scholarships to the US.
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