Pilirani Siyani secures spot at Mzuzu University
In June 2015, a story of 16-year-old girl, Grace(not real name), sparked a life-changing initiative that continues to transform the lives of many girls in Malawi. Grace lost her father while in Form One. Her mother could not keep her in school, but turn her into a mandazi (Fat-cooks) seller. Every day at 10am, Grace would be seated at the main entrance of Mulunguzi Community Day Secondary School (CDSS) in Blantyre, with a basin of mandazi, waiting for customers who included her former classmates.
One Friday morning while driving past the school, Centre for Education and Development (CFED) co-founder, Albert Sharra, saw Grace seated next to her basket. Upon engaging her, he learnt of the sad story that was keeping Grace out of school. The widow could not afford to pay MWK10 000 (approximately $5) as her tuition fees per term at the school. This story led to the creation of CFED-Malawi, first as Chilomoni Foundation for Education and Development, targeting school dropouts within Chilomoni Township in Blantyre. Later, it rebranded and scaled up its activities to cover 19 of the 28 districts of Malawi. Apart from paying fees to needy girls in CDSS, CFED-Malawi promotes reading culture in schools through provision of free print newspapers. It also brings together young girls in primary and secondary schools to interact with role models. The beneficiaries also receive free reusable sanitary pads.
On 30th August, CFED-Malawi celebrated its 10th anniversary, a decade that has seen more than 100 girls from impoverished families completing High School and obtaining the Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE). This year’s anniversary is special as the organisation also celebrates the success of one of its beneficiaries, Pilirani Siyani, who is the first to make it to a public university.
Born on December 23, 2005, Pilirani who comes from Chiseu Village in Mulanje District has become the organisation’s first beneficiary to make it to a public university. She will be reading a Bachelor of Science in Renewable Energy Systems Engineering at Mzuzu University.
Pilirani: Defied the odds to make it to university
The fourth-born in a family of seven is also the first in her clan to go to college. She has been raised by both parents. They are smallholder farmers whose farming barely produce enough for a year. Poverty in her family is written all over the home. They live in a traditional house and the family struggles to have three meals a day like most poor Malawians.
“Growing up together with my siblings has been a special thing to me. I still remember the stories we shared on our play grounds. We all had dreams but the poverty in our family has been limiting on what each of us can each achieve. Since primary school days, I was fascinated by school. I loved the way the teachers would stand in-front of the class with a chalk and chalkboard ruler and introducing us to new ideas. I wanted to be like them one day not just to teach, but also to inspire others. I knew this entails rising above my challenges and work hard to create a better future for myself and my family” she said in an interview.
If wishes were horses, every needy child would be in school. Pilirani recalls: “School fees, uniforms, books and even food were hard to get. I remember walking to school barefooted and with an empty stomach. There were days I nearly gave up not because I didn’t want school, but because life made it hard for me to continue with my education.”
She was a top student. From Standard One to Seven, she was on first position. Although she hoped to go to a district or national boarding secondary school after scoring an A, B and three Cs, Pilirani was among the few at her school to be selected to Muloza CDSS, one of the best performing CDSS in Malawi during the last decade.
“When I joined the school, the challenge was tuition fees, clothes and learning materials. There were days when I missed classes because I couldn’t afford to pay school fees on time. I remember clearly one time when I was in Form Three. I told myself to work extra harder. I had developed a strong routine, which included helping parents with domestic chores at home, attending school with focus, and making the most of every opportunity to study hard. That year, I emerged third in Form 3 and first among all girls in my class. Beyond that, I was the first female student to secure a third position in a traditionally male-dominant school,”
Every person has a sparking moment in life and if well-exploited it becomes a game changer. This is the school term that changed Pilarini’s life.
“My headteacher, Mr Peter Benard Manje, a man I deeply respect and will forever be grateful to, was so impressed with my performance and he reached out to his contacts which included CFED-Malawi which was implementing Tiwerenge project in the school. He explained my situation and how I had achieved such a performance despite lacking basic needs. He asked them if they could help me with my tuition fees. Fortunately, they responded positively committing to pay my tuition and examination fees for the remaining period of my schooling,” she recalls.
Her hard work paid off. She passed her MSCE examinations with 18 points and good scores in sciences, opening her doors to Mzuzu University. She is a product of faith and hardworking spirit.
Pilirani: There were days I nearly gave up
However, these smiles were short-lived as her parents cannot afford both the tuition fees and upkeep. CFED only sponsors secondary education.
In an interview, Sharra said it is his wish to see the girl completing her studies and he will provide advisory support to help her secure government loan or international scholarships.
“If we had resources, nothing would have stopped us from supporting her because she comes from a very poor family. She is intelligent and ambitious and deserves everyone’s support. We will keep an eye on her,” said Sharra.
When the Malawi Higher Education Students’ Loans & Grants Board (HESLGB0 released the list of beneficiaries of the university loans this year, Pilirani was in all smiles. She has been awarded a full loan covering tuition fees and upkeep. In an interview she said: “I thank God and the board for understanding my story and supporting me.”
Sharra said: “This is one example that can be used as evidence that loans board really go through the applications. There is no way Pilirani could go to college even with a partial loan. We hope they will support her throughout her university education. CFED will help her with the basic materials that she needs to start university life.”
Pilirani’s success story is a story of grace. As she embarks on this journey, we look at her past as a mirror the shines hope to the hopeless. We believe her story will inspire many other girls who are recipients of CFED support. It will also motivate individuals who support the organisations with funds that keep the girls in school.
Do you want to support our girls in CDSS? Contact us through info@cfedmw.org.
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