Having failed to get a Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE), she abandoned her hopes of becoming a journalist. Encouraged by some family members including her parents, she accepted a marriage proposal. She was eloped but within two weeks of her marriage, the parents-in-law rejected her marriage to their son claiming she was too old for him. They stood their ground and she had no choice but quit the marriage.
Her father was infuriated and decided to disregard her. With no MSCE, no marriage and no parental support, she became hopeless. This is the story of Wongani (not her real name) in Rumphi where she now enrolled in Form 3 at Mphompha Community Day Secondary to pursue her life dream. At 22, she says she is determined to work hard in school and not consider marriage till at the appropriate time.
Wongani was found in a village near a small farm in the North Viphya Plateau of Mphompha in Rumphi. She had heard that at the farm, there was some tree-planting work going on. While the job was largely meant for men as it involved digging holes and moving through some grass and trees, she braved herself and approached the farm manager to ask for a piece work.
“I am looking for money to go and pay school fees. I was kicked out of school in second week of the second term because I had not paid the fees which is K8,500.00. Can I join your men please so that I do some digging for your trees and raise the money?”
The farm manager, Mr Mleya Panja was immediately moved by such a passionate request. He had never met any young lady wanting to do such a hard and dirty job on a farm to raise money for school fees. He reasoned with his working team and they decided to give her the task of moving seedlings to the sites where they were to be planted.
Before work could begin however, the farm manager wanted to be sure his engaging her has the endorsement of her ward. He asked who and where she actually stays. Her response cleared off any mistrust.
“I stay with my aunt, NyaMzembe and she has encouraged me to come and ask for ganyu (piece work). In fact she will also be coming if I tell her you have engaged me.”
The following day, NyaMzembe indeed turned up at the farm first to appreciate the farm manager for engaging Wongani. “Niza kuti nimuongani chomene pakumpasa ntchito Wongani. Naneso makopala nilije kuti nimpase mwana uyu kuti wakalipire fizi (I have to come say to thank you for engaging Wongani. I also do not have money for her school fees).
As if that was not enough, NyaMzembe came to the farm to find out if she could also work to supplement Wongani’s fees. She came ready with her hoe and working gear. Both needed money within three days so that Wongani could go back to school the following Monday.
“My aunt paid the fees during my first term. But now she has failed as she has many demands on her. She has four children three of whom are in secondary school and she is a subsistence farmer.” Explained Wongani.
Wongani comes from a family of six children among whom she is the first born and one of the four girls. While her biological parents are alive and working at someone’s estate in Rumphi West, she said that her father told her he is tired of paying school fees.
“My father paid the fees for me when I was in Forms 1 and 2 at Bolero Community Day Secondary School (in Rumphi) in and then he stopped. Now he says he is tired since he already paid for me earlier when I did up to Form 4 and wrote MSCE where I did not do well. But even he was paying, it was erratic. I could also do some piece works to supplement my school finances.”
Her aunt NyaMzembe said she decided to get Wongani from her biological family so that she could possibly create a better school family environment for her. “This is a daughter to my own brother and I know him very well. Apart from having financial problems, I know he drinks a lot, does not take care of his family and he feels frustrated that his daughter Wongani was kicked out of marriage. I thought she can come and stay with us here and pursue her life dreams.”
With her husband, NyaMzembe said they see that Wongani really wants to do well in school. While she was disturbed having not done well last time largely due to the financial challenges regarding her education, they think she has demonstrated resolve to be educated.
“I want to be a journalist. I get fascinated to follow global events especially as I listen to and watch BBC News. I admire Sophie Ikenye as she presents the news and I just wish I could do the same in time to come.” Explained Wongani with a smile having learnt this interviewer is a journalist.
Asked if there are any other challenges at the secondary school, she said that they learn well though she feels their class periods are short and that “sometimes teachers don’t turn up.”
For the work done in three days, Wongani and her aunt raised K13,000.00 for which the aunt was extremely grateful. By the time, this story was compiled, Wongani had paid the fees (K8,500.00) and was back in class.
&&&&
Update:
Wongani phoned me last week to thank the people that had sent her the money. Two people has sent (through me) K25,900.00 which she had received and she was to pay for her third term fees in advance. She was very appreciative.
After some inquiries on her identity, some of her relatives are organising themselves to help her. I got several requests on who real she is.
I had hoped this story was to be published in one of the newspapers last month.
