Channels of Hope Helps Two Brothers Return to School After Hunger Pushed Them Out

When the household  of two brothers Evans and Stazio from Chiradzulu in Malawi was severely affected by hunger, the duo dropped out of school. Evans, 15, says the situation at home became unbearable, as they lacked the energy to attend school or study, leading to their absence for three months.

“I would go to school without eating and return to a hunger-stricken home. I could not concentrate in class, and my performance kept dropping,” says Evans.

Stazio adds that the lack of learning materials such as textbooks, pens, and other school supplies also contributed to their time away from school.

“It was hard for my mother to buy new notebooks when the old ones were full. When my pair of shorts and shirt no longer fit me, I stayed home while my friends continued learning,” says Stazio.

After the two brothers dropped out of school, they stayed home to help their mother with piecework as a way of earning a living and surviving.

However, Evans and Stazio are now back in school, in Standard Five and Standard Three respectively, thanks to World Vision’s Channels of Hope (COH) Initiative.

The COH initiative engaged pastors and sheikhs from various churches and mosques to improve the wellbeing of children in the area. These religious leaders later formed Congregation Hope Action Teams (CHAT), made up of five to ten members who serve as child protection counsellors in their communities.

Sheikh Rahim Chinyama of Mpumira Mosque says the training challenged them to ensure that children in their area enjoy their rights for sustainable development.

“After the training, I immediately visited the boys’ mother because I already knew they had dropped out of school. We talked, and we also involved the boys’ grandfather to help the single mother provide basic needs such as food so the boys could remain in school,” says Chinyama.

During his visit, Chinyama also emphasized to the mother the importance of education for the family’s future.

“They needed to understand that education is the key to success. Their poverty could be reduced once the boys finish school and secure good jobs,” says Chinyama.

Following the visit, the boys’ mother, Ivy, felt encouraged and pushed herself to motivate her sons to return to class.

“There is no excuse. I will work harder through piecework so that my children stay in school and become productive citizens,” says Ivy.

Evans dreams of becoming a soldier, while Stazio hopes to become a medical doctor.