By Zenak Matekenya

Dedza, August 19, Mana: Group Village Headman Chikololere in the area of Senior Chief Kachindamoto, Dedza has hailed the Malawi Girl Guide Association (MAGGA) for retaining girls in school through the UN-Joint Programme on Girls Education.

He made the remarks Saturday at Chikololere Admarc Ground during a K750,000 MAGGA Knock Out Football Bonanza aimed at bringing the organization’s messages to the communities.

Group Village Headman Chikololere said, in the past, the area witnessed rampant school dropouts due to early pregnancies and marriages including poverty that prompted some girls to venture into small-scale businesses.

“Through creation of different groups for girls, teachers, parents and others, today most girls are in school. Girls that stopped going to school due to pregnancy and various problems including menstruation issues, are back to school,” he said.

Councilor for Golomoti Ward, Martin Dengu, said girls in the area have gained knowledge and access to sexual reproductive health solutions leading to a reduction in unwanted pregnancies and early marriages.

Deputy Head Teacher at Tapezana Primary School, Etiace Katengeza, said through the project most girls have managed to report different abuses they face in the community.

One of the girls participating in the project aged 16, (name withheld) said three years ago she reported her parents to authorities for forcing her to get married while in standard five.

“I thank MAGGA because I was guided on how to address the problem.  Today, I am in Standard 8 and my dream is to become a nurse,” she said.

MAGGA Chief Commissioner, Getrude Binali Ndhlovu, said collaboration of different stakeholders has contributed to the success of the programme.

“We are involving each and everybody for this girl child to go back to school, not to get early pregnancy and not to go into early marriage,” she said.

Chikololere Admarc FC won the Bonanza and went away with K250,000 while Goshen Select became second and went away with K120,000.