Thirteen-year-old Talandila Ayimi of Machinjiri Village in Balaka District, under Traditional Authority Mponda, has one simple dream to go to school, learn alongside her friends and build a better future.
However, for Talandila, pursuing that dream comes with a daily struggle that is becoming increasingly difficult for her family.
A Standard Two learner at Mponda Primary School, Talandila lost both her parents at a young age and is now being raised by her grandmother, Lilian Majawa.
Majawa is also caring for other orphaned children left behind by her late daughter. As an unmarried elderly woman, she relies on small businesses to provide food and other basic necessities for the family.
Talandila lives with a physical disability that prevents her from walking or crawling. She is also unable to speak, although she can hear and communicate through gestures.
Despite these challenges, Talandila remains determined to attend school and pursue her education.
Every school day, her elderly grandmother carries her on her back to and from Mponda Primary School, covering approximately 12 kilometres in total.
With schools now open, this responsibility has become increasingly difficult for Majawa, who must balance taking Talandila to school with running small businesses to support the family.
Talandila’s special needs teacher at Mponda Primary School, Christian Mindyera, says the young learner is performing impressively in class despite the challenges she faces.
“I can confirm that Talandila’s performance in class is very impressive. If a well-wisher can help her with a wheelchair, it will give her a chance to move around more easily, learn, make friends and have hope for a better future,” said Mindyera.
For Majawa, a wheelchair would provide much-needed relief while giving Talandila greater independence and a better opportunity to attend school consistently.
“I walk about 12 kilometres every day to take her to school and return home carrying her on my back. If people can help me with a wheelchair, it will make things much easier for me and, most importantly, it will help her continue going to school,” she said.
Project Officer for the African Institute of Corporate Citizenship (AICC), Dyana Mafupa, has also appealed to well-wishers to support Talandila and her grandmother.
Mafupa said providing Talandila with a wheelchair would not only ease the physical burden on her grandmother but would also give the young learner greater freedom to participate in school and interact with other children.
“Talandila’s disability should never become a barrier to her education or her dreams. With the right support, she can learn, participate and develop her abilities like any other child. A wheelchair may seem like a simple intervention, but for Talandila, it could open the door to independence, dignity and a brighter future,” said Mafupa.
For Talandila, a wheelchair would mean far more than simply having a means of mobility.
It would give her an opportunity to gain greater independence, preserve her dignity and pursue the education she values despite the challenges she faces.
At 13, Talandila should be focused on her lessons, friendships and dreams for the future not the physical challenge of getting to school.
A wheelchair could transform her daily life, allowing her to move from being carried to school every day to moving independently towards the future she dreams of.
However, for Talandila, pursuing that dream comes with a daily struggle that is becoming increasingly difficult for her family.
A Standard Two learner at Mponda Primary School, Talandila lost both her parents at a young age and is now being raised by her grandmother, Lilian Majawa.
Majawa is also caring for other orphaned children left behind by her late daughter. As an unmarried elderly woman, she relies on small businesses to provide food and other basic necessities for the family.
Talandila lives with a physical disability that prevents her from walking or crawling. She is also unable to speak, although she can hear and communicate through gestures.
Despite these challenges, Talandila remains determined to attend school and pursue her education.
Every school day, her elderly grandmother carries her on her back to and from Mponda Primary School, covering approximately 12 kilometres in total.
With schools now open, this responsibility has become increasingly difficult for Majawa, who must balance taking Talandila to school with running small businesses to support the family.
Talandila’s special needs teacher at Mponda Primary School, Christian Mindyera, says the young learner is performing impressively in class despite the challenges she faces.
“I can confirm that Talandila’s performance in class is very impressive. If a well-wisher can help her with a wheelchair, it will give her a chance to move around more easily, learn, make friends and have hope for a better future,” said Mindyera.
For Majawa, a wheelchair would provide much-needed relief while giving Talandila greater independence and a better opportunity to attend school consistently.
“I walk about 12 kilometres every day to take her to school and return home carrying her on my back. If people can help me with a wheelchair, it will make things much easier for me and, most importantly, it will help her continue going to school,” she said.
Project Officer for the African Institute of Corporate Citizenship (AICC), Dyana Mafupa, has also appealed to well-wishers to support Talandila and her grandmother.
Mafupa said providing Talandila with a wheelchair would not only ease the physical burden on her grandmother but would also give the young learner greater freedom to participate in school and interact with other children.
“Talandila’s disability should never become a barrier to her education or her dreams. With the right support, she can learn, participate and develop her abilities like any other child. A wheelchair may seem like a simple intervention, but for Talandila, it could open the door to independence, dignity and a brighter future,” said Mafupa.
For Talandila, a wheelchair would mean far more than simply having a means of mobility.
It would give her an opportunity to gain greater independence, preserve her dignity and pursue the education she values despite the challenges she faces.
At 13, Talandila should be focused on her lessons, friendships and dreams for the future not the physical challenge of getting to school.
A wheelchair could transform her daily life, allowing her to move from being carried to school every day to moving independently towards the future she dreams of.
