SFK Malawi Inspires Change

By J.S. Brantley on 06.05.09

Destiny. It's a popular idea these days. We hear it all the time - "She was destined for stardom" or "He was destined to fail." Time and again we are told that our paths are determined by an alignment of stars and the circumstances of our birth. For a great many, this concept is less than comforting.

Success For Kids (SFK) acknowledges the challenges faced by children born into extreme poverty, and then teaches those same kids and their caretakers how to transform hardship into opportunity. Anyone familiar with the program can attest to its success. In some of the poorest regions in Malawi, children and caretakers are looking at their own lives through new eyes, thanks to SFK.

This past week, the SFK program reached another 382 kids at Mai Aisha Kachere Prison, Home Of Hope, Social Rehabilitation Centre, Mwalandiridwa Community Based Organization, and Chiwa Approved School.

Instructor Chimwemwe Masina's SFK class discussed stereotyping and preconceived ideas. The idea that "girls drop out of school and marry early" was supported by some of the students, including many of the girls themselves. But even a female student who believed the statement to be true agreed that stereotypes can be overcome with effort and certainty in one's own unique abilities.

A class at Chilwa Approved School is learning about cause and effect. A student called Samuel shared how stealing a panga knife had caused him a great deal of trouble. He'd intended to sell the knife to buy soap, but when his friends began to shun him, he rethought his decision. Having lost all peace of mind, Samuel realized that stealing wasn't worth the pain it caused, no matter the intention behind it. Another boy also applied the principle of cause and effect to his own history of theft. George once had a habit of stealing things, even though his Granny advised him against it. He never listened to her until it was too late. Finally caught in the act, an angry mob beat him and sent him to prison. Fortunately, he was reassigned to Chilwa Approved. Now, with the help of SFK, he is able to connect his actions to their consequences.

It's not just children reshaping their destinies in Malawi. Adults are applying the program's simple but deeply profound concepts to their own lives as well. Very often, caretakers who take SFK classes learn new ways to raise and teach the kids in their communities.

Facilitator training sessions at Consol Homes and Mpemba Reformatory School provided quite an education for SFK volunteers. Instructor Fainess reports that a woman at Consol Homes confessed that she'd never really appreciated her children, and had often spanked them. After considering the pain of those without children, she has promised not to mistreat her own. Another class discussed the importance of appreciating children, even the most difficult ones there at the reform school. The staff volunteered a number of ways they could do better by the kids, simply by listening to them, and being more available to help them when they need emotional and physical assistance.
As many SFK graduations as we've seen in just the few short years the program has been in Malawi, each one is still exciting and inspiring. Graduation at Hyphen Education Aid Foundation featured booth presentations, sketches, and songs. Plans for a June 6th ceremony at Mzando is currently underway. It's a great time to share with our supporters a letter of recommendation written for SFK by Lucy Chipeta Malitowe, Executive Director at Home of Hope Orphanage:

Let us first thank you for the wonderful teaching you have rendered to our organization. It is very important because we have already seen the impact this is having on the children, mothers, and staff, and this is very encouraging.

We have noticed some behavior changes after the curriculum. There is love or good relationship compared to the past. The kids have developed a spirit of sharing and helping one another. Their school performance has improved. The head teacher has realized there is a role here for SFK.

Parents and caregivers have said that they are not having the same problems they used to have such as stealing among the boys, or going out of campus without permission. There is unity among them now despite coming from different homes and backgrounds. The kids help. Teachers have reported more respect, and the children can be trusted now.

The children themselves report that they believe in themselves more. At first they felt that, being orphans, they don't have bright futures. Now they realize they have a role to play.

Lucy goes on to say that she would love to see the program grow in Malawi, with teachers throughout the country and courses taught in government agencies and in private schools.

A good indicator of any nation's destiny can be found within its classrooms. Unfortunately, too many of Malawi's children, especially its girls, are going without a comprehensive education. SFK is working to enhance and improve the lives of some of the world's most vulnerable children by teaching them to help themselves, and one another. There is a great deal of work yet to be done. But if the stories and smiles of SFK kids are any indication, the destiny of Malawi is a happy one indeed.