Elube Chikofa (not real name), a 16-year-old student at Nkanda Primary School in Chambe zone, Mulanje district, experienced a significant disruption in her education journey when she became pregnant and subsequently dropped out of school in 2023. Despite her strong focus on her studies, the challenges she faced threatened to derail her educational aspirations.
Elube’s parents, lead farmers in Chemalilo village, relied on their income to support their family. Reflecting on her experience, Elube shared, “I dropped out of school when I was in standard 7 after a certain man promised to marry me. I was just staying at home without doing anything until the Mother Group from Nkanda Primary School visited me and encouraged me to go back to school.”
The turning point in Elube's story came when the Mother Group at Nkanda Primary School, trained in Psychosocial Support (PSS) by the Creative Centre for Community Mobilization (CRECCOM) under the Girls Get Equal project funded by Norad through Plan International, intervened. This training aimed to equip Mother Groups with the skills to address the various challenges that students face, including absenteeism, early marriages, and pregnancies, by providing necessary psychosocial support.
Elube recounted how the Mother Group's visit changed her perspective: "The Mother Group provided psychosocial support by telling me that I should not get worried and that my hope of continuing with my education was not over. They assured me I had a high chance of continuing with my studies."
Additionally, the Mother Group worked closely with Elube’s mother to ensure ongoing support at home.
“The Mother Group even asked my mother to provide me with psychosocial support on their behalf, advising her to always remind me of the positive outcomes of getting educated,” Elube explained.
The intervention didn’t stop there. The headteacher and teachers at Nkanda Primary School also played a crucial role in Elube’s return to school. They visited her home to understand the reasons behind her dropout and provided continuous encouragement and psychosocial support. They reassured her that despite any potential mockery or teasing from other students, her dedication to her education was paramount.
Elube is now back in school, continuing her education in standard 8. She credits the psychosocial support she received for her resilience and renewed focus. “Thanks to the support from the Mother Group and my teachers, I’m now able to cope with my education. I’m determined to work hard and achieve my goals,” she said.
Elube’s story is just one example of the positive impact that targeted psychosocial support can have on students facing personal challenges. The training provided by CRECCOM has empowered Mother Groups and educators to create a supportive and resilient school environment, enabling students like Elube to overcome obstacles and pursue their dreams.
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