The Chinese government through its embassy in Malawi has given the First Lady Gertrude Mutharika’s Beautify Malawi (BEAM) Trust funds amounting to K21 million to be used for paying schools fees for needy girls across the country.
Over 150 needy girls across the country will benefit from the sponsorship.
In her speech after receiving the cheque at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe, Mutharika commended the Chinese Ambassador for the sponsorship saying it brings hope for a bright future for the Malawian girl child.
“The MK21 million that you have handed over today under the ‘Chinese Ambassador’s School Sponsorship’ towards the support of girls’ education is a huge boost to Malawi’s quest to empower women by ensuring that more girls complete their education,” said Mutharika.
“Under this sponsorship over 150 girls are expected to have their school fees and other school expenses fully paid for four years,” explained Madam Mutharika.
She explained that 50 of the beneficiaries will be girls that fell pregnant and dropped out of school or have been withdrawn from early marriages and they are being taken back to school.
“Through this grant families of these 50 girls will also be provided with a modest start-up capital to operate small scale business to be able to support babies of these girls who will be left in their care,” she added.
Speaking at the same function, Chinese Ambassador Wang hailed the passion that the Malawi First Lady has in the education of girls as a means to eradicate poverty and empower women in the country.
Wang added that as a true friend and sincere partner, the Chinese government always attaches great importance to the well-being of Malawian people and cherishes the good work that the First Lady through the Beautify Malawi (BEAM) Trust is doing by taking care of the environment and promoting girls’ education.
Apart from paying school fees the money will also be used in Girl’s Career Guidance Workshops to interact with girls, and to encourage and assist them to study hard and pursuit for a better future.
