Cecilia, 19, is the first girl from a public high school in Neno district (a remote and poor district in the south of Malawi) to be accepted to university. Families struggle to help their children reach high school, let alone university. But she worked hard and was supported by a PIH program to help pay for her schooling. Attending Mzuzu University will lead to a good job and financial stability for Cecilia, and she will set an example for other girls in her community.
In Neno, Malawi, poverty impacts most families, and parents are often forced to withdraw their children from school. In PIH's view, this is a devastating outcome for poor families who, without education, face worsening job prospects and have little hope of improving their situation. Without the money to live safely and comfortably with adequate housing and nutrition, their health will inevitably suffer. PIH's social assistance program, POSER, helped Cecilia stay--and thrive--in school.
The opportunity to attend university will change Cecilia's life, enabling her to find a good job and also support her family. Amidst the excitement, there is the hope that her story will become more common. Members of her community who have faced the same challenges are now hopeful for other students. "I would like to encourage more girls to follow her example," said Reuben, the district education manager.
Younger girls in Cecilia's community have already approached her for advice on reaching college. Not only will a University education impact Cecilia and her family's long-term financial stability and health, but it will also ignite hope among children who face a lifetime of poverty. With support from PIH's POSER program, they have a chance to complete high school. With support to attend university, children and teens like Cecilia can help lift their community out of poverty.