TNM sets up scholarship fund for underprivileged girls

Telekom Networks Malawi (TNM) has set up a four-year scholarship fund for underprivileged secondary school girls in the country and the company will be providing K7 million every year.

Nyirenda, Kabwazi with the beneficiaries
Nyirenda, Kabwazi with the beneficiaries

TNM, the country’s premier mobile phone company, announced the commitment on Wednesday in Blantyre where it also launched the scholarship fund.

Speaking when he presented a cheque for 2015 scholarships, TNM’s Head of Blantyre Region David Nyirenda said the sponsorship was the fulfillment of TNM’s commitment to promoting access to quality basic education for underprivileged girls in the country.

Nyirenda said they providing K7 million annually in scholarships to 20 girl students across the country.

This scholarship fund will be administered by Advancing Girl’s Education in Africa( Age Africa), an organization that works to help accelerate access to education for the underprivileged girls, according to Nyirenda.

“Through the initiative, TNM is keeping its promises of contributing towards the girl child education. This will ensure that the girl child, irrespective of her background is given access to education. TNM, itself being a Malawian company wants to see to it that girls’ access to basic quality educated is not affected by whatever circumstances,” said Nyirenda.

Nyirenda said lack of financial support has remained a great challenge for most girls in the country to complete education resulting into early marriages.

The scholarship covers school fees, uniforms, school supplies, books, boarding supplies (blankets, suitcase, dish wares) at boarding schools.

“In Malawi and across Africa girls fail to complete secondary school education due to various barriers ranging from poverty, gender inequality, and traditional stereotypes as a result they are forced into early marriage,” he said.

Age Africa Country Director Gertrude Kabwazi commended TNM for showing passion in promoting education among girls.

“Age Africa’s vision is that all girls in Africa should have equal access to education. What TNM has done today is not providing Malawian girls with education but also empowering them economically and shaping them into becoming responsible citizens will contribute positively to the socio-economic development of their country,” she said.

Kabwazi said support from TNM was the first for the organisation to receive locally.

“Age Africa started in 2005 and since then the organisation has been relying on international support and the coming of TNM is very commendable and with this support will now be able to support 190 girls,” she said.

One of Age Africa beneficiary a 19 year old Nitah Wisbon who has been selected to pursue Bachelor of Education Science at Chancellor College encouraged her fellow girls to always remain focused.

“ When I was selected to Providence Secondary School my parents who are uneducated could not afford to pay my school fees but when Age Africa came forward to assist I remained focused and I scored 19 points and I believe everything is possible if girls work hard’” said Wisbon

TNM also supports 20 other students from 11 public secondary schools across Malawi and another 20 secondary school girls with visual disabilities by providing them with tuition fees and upkeep allowances.

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LIZULU
LIZULU
8 years ago

KODI MABUNGWE MUKUNGOTI GIRLS WHAT ABOUT BOYS OVUTIKA?KNOW THAT FOR EVERY GIRL YOU ASSIST YOU ARE ALSO CREATING A THIEF IN THE BOY YOU DONT ASSIST. LOOK BOTH SIDES OTHERWISE YOU ARE ARCHTECTS OF FUTURE GENDER INBALANCE WHERE WOMEN WILL BE MORE EDUCATED THAN MEN AND A CAUSE FOR CONFLICTS.

Thom Paul Duncan Nkalodzwa
Thom Paul Duncan Nkalodzwa
8 years ago

Good development not the Dr. Ben Phiri fake qualifications.

chibwatiko mbekamachuni
chibwatiko mbekamachuni
8 years ago

Everyone is for girls, girls and more girls. Who will take care of the boys?

ma magwira
8 years ago

A privilage for town people, not for kids at old maula in chintheche nkhatabay.
Kamuzi meant to give real opportunity to all. A student would benefit from makiyoni-salima and as far as mpherembe somewhere in the north.
Tikukuonani

Chakufwa Mulopwana
Chakufwa Mulopwana
8 years ago

TNM YOU WANT US TO BELIEVE THAT 7 MILLION KWACHA IS ALOT WHILE IT IS 10% OF CHIKAONDAS SALARY EXCLUDING ALLOWANCES I DON’T LIKE YOUR PROMOTIONS MACHENDE NDI NYINI ZANU THE WHOLE TNM…..

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