Chimbota’s “When a Mother Is a Child” Project Beats Odds Despite Hiccups

The When a Mother Is a Child project being implemented by Chimbota Community Development Organisation in Nkhata Bay is making steady progress in promoting girls’ education, despite facing financial and resource limitations.

Co-Director of the organisation, Kevin Troughton, said the project continues to register positive results by supporting teenage mothers to return to school after childbirth.

He disclosed that during the previous school term, about ten teenage mothers were successfully reintegrated into the education system — a development he described as encouraging in the fight against school dropouts.

Troughton made the remarks during a monitoring exercise of the project, noting that although the initiative is facing challenges, its impact on vulnerable girls remains visible and meaningful.

Brand Ambassador for Chimbota Community Development Organisation, Ireen Navicha, highlighted the gravity of the situation, revealing that four out of every ten girls in Malawi drop out of school due to early marriages, teenage pregnancies, and other related social pressures.

She warned that the trend continues to undermine national growth and development.

Navicha emphasized that keeping girls in school is critical to the country’s future, calling for collective efforts from stakeholders to address the root causes of school dropouts.

One of the beneficiaries, Rebecca Banda, expressed gratitude to the organisation for giving her a second chance to continue her education.

She said the support has renewed her hope and confidence for a brighter future.

The When a Mother Is a Child project focuses on ensuring that young mothers are supported to resume their education, helping to break cycles of poverty and early school dropouts in Nkhata Bay.