A new spring in his step…
spark-459 • February 19, 2021
In the first term of academic year 2020/2021 we noticed that YOHANE was not attending classes frequently. On further investigation and a home visit, we realised this was due to lack of basic needs at his home such as a pair of shoes and clothes. He would only attend on the days his clothes were clean as he had just one outfit. While his mother washed his other clothes and they were wet, he would be forced to wait at home. He had outgrown his shoes and was walking 9 minutes to Sparkle barefoot. We have now provided him with clothes and shoes and he is back attending Sparkle every day. He is such a delightful boy aged 5 and is about to graduate to Primary School.
For years, Malawi has relied heavily on external aid and a single commodity, tobacco, to sustain its economy. This dependence has left the country vulnerable to the fluctuations of global markets and external shocks. Now, with USAID withdrawing its support, the urgency for economic diversification and self-sufficiency has never been greater. A Nation at a Crossroads USAID has long been a key partner in supporting Malawi’s healthcare, education, agriculture and economic development. Its departure creates a significant gap, not just in funding, but in the infrastructure and systems it helped support. The impact goes beyond numbers; it is a wake-up call. Yet, the truth is that Malawi has the potential to thrive beyond aid. We are blessed with fertile land, a young and energetic population, and a growing spirit of entrepreneurship. The challenge lies in how we harness these strengths to shape a future built on our own capabilities, not external dependency.
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