Her Education Matters: Karonga, Mzinga Primary School

Mothers Group at Mzinga Primary School

Think Malawi is thrilled to be taking part in the Big Give week from 22nd June to 29th June! We are raising £4,000 for 1,000 school girls, our largest campaign since 2020.

Donate to Her Education: Karonga here.

Through the Her Education Matters campaign, we are raising £4,000 to support 1,000 schoolgirls across two schools in Karonga District, Northern Malawi. Thanks to successful match funding through Big Give, every donation could have twice the impact.

In Malawi, girls miss up to five days of school every month due to a lack of menstrual products, safe sanitation facilities, and private spaces to change. For 600 girls at Mzinga Primary School in Northern Malawi, Karonga, this is their reality.

Think Malawi and our Malawian partner Fountain of Hope, who have worked in the area since 2018, have designed this project alongside local students, mothers, and community leaders to address that directly.

Girls at Mzinga lack access to sanitary products, forcing many to stay home during their period, fall behind in class, and in too many cases, drop out altogether.

Our goal at Mzinga is to provide reusable sanitary pads and menstrual health management information to the 600 girls.

Think Malawi will provide 4 sewing machines to 10 mothers who are part of the local Mothers Group training them how to produce reusable sanitary pads. These sewing machines can last up to 15 years with the mothers also able to train others to help them produce the pads.

Bridget, the Fountain of Hope Programs Manager at Mzinga, highlighted that "this project offers a sustainable solution for girls to stay in school, improving their attendance, confidence and future opportunities".

Additionally, training will happen for both female and male students in sexual reproductive health alongside the community to ensure a wider change into perception of periods and menstrual hygiene management.

Girls at Mzinga Primary School

Think Malawi's goal strives towards ensuring that no girl should ever miss school simply because of her period.

Shora, Executive Director of the Fountain of Hope, "Success will mean that girls will attend school consistently, improved academic performance and the empowerment of mothers who can create uniforms and sanitary pads without the project."

Alongside the other school in Karonga, Lufilya Secondary School, these are the overall goals of the campaign:

• Access to Products: Ensure all 1000 girls have access to reusable sanitary pads and menstrual health information.

• Sustainability: Train mothers to produce pads and school uniforms, creating a lasting, community-owned supply as well as building private changing rooms.

• Reduce stigma: Break the silence and taboos surrounding menstruation through community-wide education.

• Increase attendance: Reduce girls' absenteeism caused by menstruation by 60% and increase overall retention rates by 70%.

• Reduce risk: Lower the rates of child marriage, unwanted pregnancies, and school dropouts.

• Community-level impact: Improve knowledge of Menstrual Health Management for students, local leaders and the surrounding community.

This project doesn't just protect a girl's right to an education: it promotes dignity, empowerment and long-term community growth. Your donation is an investment in their futures.

Donate and help 1,000 girls in Malawi access the education they deserve!

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