The organization’s spokesperson Bright Kapalepale told Zodiak Online that most learners have expressed concern with going to school on empty stomachs and in some situations, they find nothing to eat when they go back home.

He expressed fear that the situation will be worse in coming lean period.

“We recently visited seventeen schools in Chambe Education Zone in Mulanje district to appreciate challenges the learners are facing in their daily lives and most learners mentioned hunger as their major problem,” said Kapalepale.

He also said other problems the learners mentioned were writing materials (pens and exercise books), school uniforms and soap.

Assistant Primary Education Advisor for Chambe Primary Education Zone Blessings Sam agreed with Kapalepale adding that poverty remains the contributing factor to all these challenges.

“We have also noted that schools are far apart in this zone and children walk long distances to schools and this is another challenge,” said Sam.    

Meanwhile, Kapalepale said they have identified fifty one boys from various primary schools in the zone to be among the organization’s education support.

Among the schools are Nansato, Pasani, Nkanda, Chiwambo, Sapitwa, Mthuruwe, and Nolo.

“For a start, next academic year we will support the boys with exercise books, pens, uniforms and school bags while looking into other areas raised by learners and we call upon individuals and organizations of good will to partner with us in this boys’ education initiative,” said Kapalepale.

He also said soon they will organize a cycling activity to fundraise for the boys’ education support. The organization is in Traditional Authorities Nkanda and Mabuka in Mulanje district.

Mnyamata Education Organization was established in 2019 by a group of men and women in Mulanje and its core objective is to provide basic scholastic needs to vulnerable school boys after realizing that most organizations are channeling their support towards girls leaving out boys.