By Rosalia Kapiri

Lilongwe, October 25, Mana: First Lady Madame Monica Chakwera, through Shaping Our Future Foundation received support from the Chinese Embassy at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe on Friday at an event where a cheque worth MK47.535 million and relief items were presented aimed at supporting vulnerable communities in Malawi.

The event highlights the ongoing collaboration between the Chinese government and the Shaping Our Future Foundation (SOFF), which focuses on the holistic development of village girls and street children through education.

Speaking at the event, the First Lady said she was excited about the delegation's visit and the positive impact of their support.

“The help makes a lot of difference to the girls, as many more things are accomplished through this initiative," she said.

The support from China includes assistance for 75 students who will receive tuition fees for the academic year, a gesture that aligns with Malawi's aspirations outlined in the 2063 agenda.

“This gesture means that China is helping Malawi to attain some of the goals stipulated in the 2063 agenda by keeping girls in school. These interventions go a long way in improving the development of the country at large," Chakwera emphasized.

she expressed gratitude for the relief items which she said will help families affected by disasters.

“This will go a long way in assisting the families affected by these challenges. As a Foundation, we are always delighted to have a helping hand, and this gives us a good landing for our operations," she added.

Wang Hao, a representative from the Chinese Embassy, praised the First Lady for her commitment to charitable causes in Malawi.

“The First Lady has always been committed to the development of Malawian charitable causes and safeguarding the rights and interests of Malawian children,” he noted.

He also thanked her for fostering a strong relationship between Malawi and the Chinese Embassy.

Since 2021, the Chinese embassy has been a significant supporter of education initiatives in Malawi through SOFF. This year, the embassy has increased funding to SOFF from K32.78 million to K47.535 million to help more girls continue wi their studies.

“China and Africa share the same dreams of advancing education for girls and women in the world,” Hao stated.

He said China provides government scholarships to Malawian university students annually to support further their studies in China.

The embassy also announced plans to donate maize flour and beans worth K70.7 million to Nkhotakota District through SOFF to alleviate food insecurity among local communities.

Dr. Michael Mkandawire, Chief Executive Officer for SOFF and advisor to the First Lady, expressed gratitude for the continuous support from China.

“We are thankful to China for the help they have been providing over the years, ensuring that girls in need in Malawi are kept in school.

“In 2023 alone, SOFF provided scholarships to 1,108 students, with 64 percent being girls. China has been instrumental in making sure that these girls remain in school,” he added.

The collaboration between Malawi and China continues to demonstrate the significant impact of international partnerships in promoting education and supporting vulnerable populations.