In a remarkable drive to empower youth and enhance educational opportunities, the Youth Empowerment through Supportive Education (YESE) project has disbursed over K50 million to support students in Msundwe and its surrounding communities.
The initiative, led by Sunhawk Energy International (SEI) in collaboration with We Are One, the Center for Concerned Youth in Development (CECOYD), and Child Legacy International, has granted full scholarships to 23 new university and college students. This latest cohort raises the total number of beneficiaries to 40, including 17 students continuing from previous years, with plans to recruit two more students shortly.
Loveness Kaomba, Project Coordinator, highlighted the project’s holistic approach: “Our mission is not only to provide education but also to empower young people to become future leaders. Beyond higher education, we have supported over 50 secondary school learners by covering tuition fees and providing essential learning materials.”
William Banda, Director of Operations at SEI, reiterated the long-term commitment of the project. “We are investing in Malawi’s future by supporting these students throughout their academic journeys. Our goal is to break the cycle of poverty in T/A Kalolo by ensuring these students have the resources to succeed.”
The YESE initiative also offers mentorship and skills development programs, preparing beneficiaries for life beyond academia. For nursing student Blessings Kapatuka of Daeyang Luke University, the scholarship has been transformative: “Before this support, I struggled to pay fees and had to sell fruits to survive. Now, I can fully focus on my nursing studies.”
Secondary school student Chancy Shadreck from Namitete expressed his gratitude, noting a positive change in his academic performance after receiving support.
Education officials have praised the initiative. Faida Yonamu, Principal Education Officer for Lilongwe Rural West, commended the project founder Mark Boling and urged other organizations to follow suit: “Opportunities like YESE are rare. Students must make the most of this chance, and we encourage more partnerships to expand such support.”
In just two months, YESE has invested over K50 million into tuition and educational materials for students attending Malawi’s top institutions, including the Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST), Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS), University of Malawi, Nalikule College of Education, Daeyang Luke University, and Malawi College of Accountancy (MCA).
YESE’s success showcases the power of partnership and commitment in transforming lives through education in Malawi.
EduTimes Africa, a product of Education Times Africa, is a magazine publication that aims to lend its support to close the yawning gap in Africa's educational development.
