Malawi students face ‘cruel’ life in India: Appeal for help

Malawian students – two ladies and seven young men -who are pursuing various degree programs at Pune University in India under the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) Scholarship have come out of the cocoon and are complaining about appalling conditions and horrendous environment  they have been subjected to since they started their studies last year.

Chimimba: We are really suffering
Chimimba: We are really suffering

They are therefore appealing to well-wishers to come to their rescue saying they have stayed three months now without receiving their monthly stipend and “we are really suffering.”

The student’s representative, Sosten Chimimba told Nyasa Times that they arrived at the university mid 2014 fully aware that the scholarship was fully funded with a monthly stipend of 10000 rupees {approx. $160.)

“We were assured of full medical cover in case of an accident or an illness; we however later learnt that they only pay for about 17% of the entire hospital bill.Hospitals in India are extremely expensive. We have to pay for our stationery, examination fees, and annual college admission fees.”

He said for those who are doing Bsc they have to pay an additional 7000 rupees on their own.

“Besides this, the cost of living in Pune City is very expensive. We do not stay in hostels, rather we stay in private apartments which are so expensive and far from our respective college campuses, some as far as 15kms. Public transport like buses and trains is not a better option due to overcrowding and  not safe for foreigners especially girls. The only reliable option is the use of auto rickshaws also often expensive to foreigners,” he says.

Chimimba says they complained this to ICCR,but  were told  point blank that the institution  cannot raise the  stipend and instead advised the Malawian students to consult their government representatives.

“We contacted the High Commission in Delhi and this led to the visit by the Deputy High Commissioner Dr .L.Mbilizi  in February when we presented our petition to him.”

Chimimba says, in the petition, the students asked the government “to at least give us a supporting emergency assistance of $2,000as we had exhausted the little money that we had brought and that we were surviving on debts from our fellow African students who get little support from their governments. We also asked the government to arrange for us a periodic back up of about $250 every three months.”

According to Chimimba, two months later members of staff at the High Commission in Delhi sent them $400 to share.

“However, attached to it was a phrase saying that the money was not a grant but rather it was a loan and that we had to repay within a period of two weeks although we had never asked for a loan from the High Commission.

“It proved to be hard and we literally failed to repay. They gave us extreme pressure to the point of using strong language and threats. We were shocked and failing to understand that our own government officials who are meant to safeguard our welfare abroad are antagonizing us.

“Two weeks later the First Secretary sent us an email stating that the officials in Delhi held a management meeting and that they resolved not to give us any financial assistance because we had proved to be ungrateful and unreliable. We learnt this with bitterness but we had to swallow it,” says Chimimba.

He says the students are currently in dire need of at least $4,200 they believe would help them get out of the embarrassing and painful situation by settling the debts that are accumulating day by day and the $400 at High Commission.

“The money will also help us to buy basic necessities like stationery and food”.

He says anyone willing to assist them should contact them through the following email addresses:

([email protected]),  [email protected]., [email protected],

[email protected]   and [email protected]

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Kwangwagwa
Kwangwagwa
9 years ago

But you are too old to be in school. When and how long will the government of Malawi benefit from you. Zaulere ndi choncho. Yambani maganyu konko oseta nkhalamba. Foolish Fools.

Thobwa
Thobwa
9 years ago

If you read this message please answer the following questions… How did you get the scholarships? Was it announced?…you have given us only men email addresses…and not girls, why? In summary I should think the best help you need is to come back home…its R’s her coled thisdctime around you may buy a thick Jersey ija timati bulande…kwacha yagwa…but life goes on….we need you here at home … And we will help you from within fyou can go to local universities…. That’s all I can say…come back now….

Mapiri
Mapiri
9 years ago

One-sided story! Secondly, Malawian private univesities are of poor quality they are nowhere comparable to India.

Gas Machine Head
Gas Machine Head
9 years ago

How did you get the scholarships in the first place? Were they advertised in the local press? Could they be one of those that are awarded dubiously to relations of politicians? The amount of dollars you have mentioned could be enough for you to attend our own accredited private universities: Malawi Adventist University which is affiliated to the University of Eastern Africa in Kenya, Catholic University of Malawi, St John Baptist University in Mangochi, Blantyre International University just near CI and Mustang Sally. These universities are private and are accredited by the Malawi Government. They have well qualified staff with… Read more »

jacksy
jacksy
9 years ago

i feel sorry for you guys…turkey schoolarship how?? ngati munakanika mutibwezere zathu mwamva??

jackson mhango
jackson mhango
9 years ago

i feel sorry for you guys…

Nyaulembe
Nyaulembe
9 years ago

It’s a sad situation, I hope that Malawi government will meet the shortfalls in the funding of these guys.
India medical bills can rattle you down. I have a personal experience.

mwadoh
9 years ago

izi ndiye za manyi tamabwelani uko,ngati mumanyozedwa ndi mbuli zili mu ma shop izi ndiye kwawo mwakapeza ophunzila zedi osati nyasi zili kunozi what do u think mungapindule? munapita kaamba ka ndale! abale anu si awa akulowa muzindende munva kuwawa.ine lelo ndagona nditadya nsima ya mpilu koma palibe ndikuopa mawa ndimwela chinangwa koma sindidandaula,ana anga anazolowela,what goes around comes around.tikuonani

KAMBEWA CHISALE
9 years ago

Foseki Bingu MUTHALIKA got his first degree in India. Dpp GOVERNMENT PLEASE assist Ana athu .Do not let girls to FOR prostitution to get SCHOOL fees

nise
nise
9 years ago

s is not financially viable for malawi govt to use tax payers money to fund you with 4000 dollars or what so ever on the merit that u r a malawian citizen, because the govetrnment / tax payers are funding a universoity system here which is even cheaper . im trying to say iuf a malawian ciitizen accepts a foreingschoilaship, they read and sign on the doted line, please dont except the malawi govetnment to paty your rent, food, allowance, if the government has that kindness it should just load u ot the uni programm in malawi dont create internation… Read more »

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