Hasina Shines in Home Schooling Initiative

Hasina,9,  is one of many children benefiting from a home-schooling programme run by World Vision Malawi in the Traditional Authority Mposa area. Before the programme, Hasina struggled to read even simple words. Books were difficult for her and learning in class often felt out of reach.

“I used to sit in class and just pretend I understood but I could not read anything on my own,” says Hasina.

For Hasina, not knowing how to read meant she could not follow lessons properly in school. She often depended on others and at times felt left behind. She knew that in urban areas, many girls her age were already reading fluently, writing confidently and progressing smoothly in their education. That difference made her feel like her dreams of progressing in education were slipping further away.

But everything began to change through the home-schooling lessons. With consistent support, Hasina slowly learned to recognise words, form sentences, and read with confidence.

“Now I can read well. I hope they bring this programme to other children in different areas too, “says Hasina.

Today, reading is no longer a barrier for her. It has become a bridge , one that is opening her understanding of school lessons and strengthening her dream of continuing her education without struggle. She now believes she can compete with other children,  including those in urban areas and pursue her ambitions with confidence.

Miriam Laisi, a parent involved in the home-schooling programme says many parents did not realise they were expected to support their children’s learning at home.

“World Vision gave us the skills we needed. Since 2023, I have been teaching my two children. One was in Standard One and the other in Standard Two. Before the programme, my children had trouble with reading, writing and basic math. Now, they can read, write and even recognize colours. They have become top pupils in their classes,” says Miriam.

Miriam believes the skills shared with parents will help the programme continue for a long time.

Mary Right, a volunteer teacher with the programme says  many children repeated classes because they could not read.

“Some children even dropped out because reading was too difficult for them. Since we began the lessons, things have improved a lot,” says Mary.

Mary started teaching just four children. Now she teaches 18 as more pupils join the lessons. She adds that the programme has also helped reduce early marriages and school dropouts in the area while also improving access to basic learning materials through trained teachers, volunteers and parents.

“We might be sad that World Vision is closing its work in our area, but we are happy they trained us with skills to carry on the programme ourselves,” says Mary.