Girls at Chisu Community Day Secondary School (CDSS) in the area of Senior Chief Mkumbira now have a reason to dream bigger, thanks to a newly constructed 64-bed hostel aimed at promoting girls’ education and ending child marriages.
The facility, worth K112 million, was constructed by Plan International Malawi in partnership with Find Your Feet, under a four-year initiative called “Child Not Bride”. The project focuses on addressing child marriages and improving educational outcomes for girls in the district.
Speaking during the official handover ceremony, Minister of Basic and Secondary Education Madalitso Kambauwa Wirima described the project as a prime example of effective collaboration between the government and development partners.
Mwape Mulumbi, Country Director for Plan International Malawi, said the organisation constructed the hostel after identifying the long distances girls were walking to and from school, which posed a major barrier to education.
“We listened to the community. Constructing this hostel is a major step forward. We’re proud to see it completed, and we will continue supporting this school,” said Mulumbi.
Form Three student and President of Chisu CDSS, Enessi Kaunda, expressed heartfelt gratitude to Plan International and Find Your Feet on behalf of her fellow students.
“This facility has revived our hope. Beyond just a building, it has empowered us to speak up against abuse and protect ourselves. We are truly thankful,” said Kaunda.
Member of Parliament for Nkhata Bay Central, Symon Vuwa Kaunda, commended the two organisations for bringing the transformative project to the area.
Kaunda also applauded the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) for establishing a computer laboratory at the school, adding that such developments are instrumental in closing the rural-urban education gap.
The hostel was constructed with financial backing from Norwegian Broadcasting (TVA) and Reellnvest, both based in Norway.
The initiative is part of broader efforts to curb child marriages, prevent teenage pregnancies, and empower girls through access to quality education.
