Communities under Traditional Authorities Ndamera and Tengani in Nsanje have commended the Churches Aid for Relief and Development (CARD) organisation for giving girls a second chance at education after dropping out of school due to early marriages.
One such girl is 18-year-old Catherine Friday, from Kalikokha Village, Traditional Authority Ndamera. Friday got married just weeks before sitting for her 2025 Primary School Leaving Certificate Examinations.
“Marriage was very hard for me. Despite being young, my husband’s family expected me to manage a household and be a wife. I felt completely trapped. I am glad the Group Village Headman came to my rescue and that I was able to sit for my exams,” Catherine laments.
Another one is Magret Chipendo, from Chitengu Village in the same area of Traditional Authority Ndamera. She worries about her wellbeing as her parents can no longer provide for her and her child due to poverty.
Group Village Headman Kalikokha says the fight against early marriages is far from smooth.
He narrates that families on both sides connive to marry off their children as they see as a poverty escape plan, lured by the dowry offered by the groom’s side.
“As a village, we designed by-laws. Parents who marry off their children must pay two chickens to the Group Village Head, one goat to the Senior Group and two goats to the Traditional Authority,” Kalikokha explains.
But removing children from early marriages is only a part of the battle. Ensuring they remain in school requires significant support.
This is why volunteers, under CARD, are running a project through its faith-based approach to Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR). They have stepped in by providing exercise books, pens, school uniforms and sometimes even fees for extra classes.
Pastor Ellena Petro Ndamera of Crazmatic Redeemed Ministry International (CRMI) at Chindiyo Village in Nsanje District is one of the volunteers. Driven by her faith, she felt compelled to support children under the project as a way of spreading love while curbing early marriages.
“As faith leaders, we must take the lead. We should ensure children do not drop out of school due to early pregnancies and marriages. We must give them preventive information and support where needed,” Ndamera says.
Jemima Phiri, CARD project officer, acknowledges the gap.
“We agree financial aid is important. Unfortunately, our current funding does not allow it. However, we work closely with the district’s social welfare office to provide support where possible,” she explained.
Phiri has since urged organisations to assist them financially to complement CARD’s work in areas like Nsanje.
This faith-based approach to SRHR, implemented by CARD in partnership with Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) and DanChurch Aid (DCA), is funded by the Royal Norwegian Embassy (RNE).
By Precious Kadwala, Nsanje
#MBCDigital
#Manthu
