Childhood poverty affects young people's aspirations and their access to education. They simply don’t have the opportunities of other children.
Children living in poverty have to fight harder, think smarter and be stronger to overcome life's challenges. They are the true BRAVE of this world.
Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the world, lingering in the bottom ten (World Bank).
We see the effects of this in rural areas, especially in schools.
Children miss out on learning inside classrooms, sitting at desks, reading books, writing on paper or even learning with a full belly.
By the time primary students reach standard 6 (at around ten to twelve years old) class sizes have almost halved. Enrollment numbers progressively decline with each consecutive year, finishing in standard 8.
The BRAVE children stay in school
We are nearly a decade in, empowering girls and boys to stay in school since 2015. And the feedback has been remarkable.
Last term the BRAVE workshop was in 4 primary schools for the third year running. We switched up our implementation strategy post-COVID.
We are so excited to start seeing the impact of consistency and commitment to pre-menstrual education in schools and how it is impacting enrollment.
For the first time, we are starting to hear younger years getting excited to take part in the training - it’s becoming a right of passage in schools.
We also had another teacher fully participate in the 12 weeks of teaching - telling us he has up-skilled and gained knowledge to use in his teaching.
Teachers have reported that standard 6 understand puberty and adolescent development, the students are able to answer questions confidently and correctly.
Huge changes!
Parents continue to report behaviour change at home - especially amongst boys, who now help with family chores and support their sisters. Parents, mothers mainly, have an air of marvel as they recount stories of their sons' willingness to help with chores and care for their sisters.
The point of the BRAVE project is to keep boys and girls in schools. If more students can finish their primary education, they have the tools and knowledge to get jobs or create local business.
Here are some photos from the schools who have just received BRAVE training (as well as cloth sanitary pads, underwear and soap).
BRAVE is not just a programme about girls getting reusable cloth pads and a smile. It’s about promoting equality, creating safe spaces to learn and dream about life.
✅10 weeks IN SCHOOL trainings that teach girls and boys about their bodies changing.
✅Snacks and drinks to keep young minds fresh for learning.
✅Discussions, dramas and creative games- to illustrate points, learn complex body systems and how to build a better world together - starting with school.
✅Examples of students and school year groups who have stepped up and made positive change happen.
And in Masuku School, BRAVE and getting to standard 6 is becoming a right of passage…
Esnat and Mark had excited standard 5s telling them they couldn’t wait to have their turn on the programme and a very pleased new cohort of standard 6 on the programme.
Esnat said “It was so encouraging, and the older classes have seen no dropouts. The students are so keen to do all they can to achieve their dreams in education.”
You can help keep us in the 12 schools we commit to each year, by setting up a monthly donation - £8 helps us buy a cloth sanitary pack. £28 covers a student's 10 week workshop attendance….
Regular giving is a gift for our capacity to plan. Here is the link to give monthly or a single donation.
Please drop us an email if you have any questions or you’d like more information.
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