Le Voyage: Kasungu!

                       How Can I Ever Forget Kasungu?

Kasungu, a humble district in Malawi, will forever hold a special place in my heart. It was there that I discovered my true calling. My first significant job brought me to this small town, where I spent most of my days immersed in rural communities, connecting with locals, and working toward something deeply fulfilling. Kasungu introduced me to my passion, and for that, I’ll always be grateful.

A Journey of Hope

When I first learned I’d gotten the job in Kasungu, I was overjoyed. The position was everything I had dreamed of; helping bring school dropouts back to class. My title? Out-of-School Child Specialist. What could be more rewarding than changing lives through education? For me, this job was pure gold.

Leaving Zomba, my serene home city in southern Malawi, felt like the children of Israel leaving Egypt for Canaan. I was moving on from work I didn’t love to embrace a mission I believed in wholeheartedly. I’d never been to Kasungu, and while I’d been warned about the difficulty of finding housing, I couldn’t let that dampen my excitement. A friend’s friend had offered to host me temporarily, so I set off with high hopes, a suitcase, and my dreams.

My First Night

I arrived at night after a long journey. Exhaustion masked my curiosity about my new surroundings. The cab ride to my host’s home was far longer than expected, almost 40 minutes and my first realization hit: commuting in Kasungu was going to be a challenge.

When we finally reached the house, I was greeted with warmth and kindness. My hosts had prepared a hearty meal of Nsima and chicken, cooked with that signature local touch. I slept in a room with two other family members, on a mattress, with no electricity to charge my phone or laptop. Despite these challenges, my heart was full of anticipation for my first day at work.

Village Life

Morning came with an unmistakable village wake-up call: the rooster’s persistent crowing outside my window. 'Cock-a-doodle-do!' If there were ever a sign that I was far from the comforts of the city, this was it.

My first bath was an experience in itself, a makeshift structure of plastic sheets with no roof, freezing water, and a drizzle of rain. It was a cold and quick affair, but I was eager to start my new job.

Settling In

Commuting became my first hurdle in Kasungu. The 50-minute bicycle taxi rides to work were long and bumpy. Determined to simplify my life, I began hunting for a house closer to my office. It took three frustrating weeks, but persistence paid off. My new home was just 10 minutes from work. It wasn’t perfect, sharing bathrooms with neighbors and dealing with messy communal spaces were challenges but it was close, and that was enough.

A Neighbor’s Story

Life in the compound gave me a glimpse into the struggles of others. My neighbor, a hardworking cleaner at a local hospital, juggled her job, raising three children, and dealing with a husband who stayed home, doing little to help. Every night, I heard their arguments, her voice filled with exhaustion and frustration. I often shared food or groceries with her, moved by her resilience. Her story reminded me of some rural women in Malawi who shoulder the weight of their families alone, a reality that deepened my passion for making a difference.

Adventures and Challenges

Work took me deep into Kasungu’s rural areas. Reaching these communities meant learning to ride a motorcycle, a skill I didn’t have when I arrived. My first solo ride was unforgettable. With my supervisor riding pillion, I lost control on a sandy path, and we both tumbled into the dust. We laughed it off, and in that moment, I knew this adventure was going to be as challenging as it was rewarding.

Meeting children in these communities was eye-opening. Many had dropped out of school for heartbreaking reasons. Girls lured into early marriages during tobacco season, boys forced to become breadwinners, and others simply unable to afford the basics of education. Witnessing their struggles lit a fire within me.

Finding My Passion

Kasungu was more than a place; it was a revelation. It was where I realized my life’s purpose: empowering children and bridging the gaps in education. I wanted to mentor, inspire, and create solutions for those who felt left behind.

Despite the long rides, sleepless nights, and endless challenges, Kasungu gave me something priceless. A vision for my future and a passion for uplifting communities.

How can I ever forget Kasungu? It’s where I found myself. 😊

THE GENESIS

 

After University, all I wanted was to work with and within rural communities. I found meaning in helping others and I wanted to spend the rest of my life helping people out of poverty. I believe that my background greatly inspired  this desire. Growing up in poverty, I did not see a future for myself. Growing up there was very little at my exposure.  I did not know much. Life was okay so long as Nsima (Malawian staple food) was provided for me and my siblings. The biggest challenge for my family was food: How and where to get food for the day. Nsima was a priority. We did not have a choice really. We did not have the privilege of choosing what to eat. Nsima and vegetables on a daily basis was a huge blessing.

When I was in primary school, I went to school every day not because anyone inspired me. No one in our neighborhood was educated. All girls aspired to be married. I went to school because my parents forced me to. My Dad especially. The more I went to school, the more I found meaning in education.

I failed my primary school leaving examaminations. Its not because I was unintelligent. In fact, I was the most intelligent student in class. I lacked informed guidance. I did not have anyone to prepare me for the exams. It was tough I must say. I wrote my exams without knowing what’s expected of me. All I knew was to get back from school, throw my books in my room and go play with my friends.

Talk of my room. It sounds fancy when am writing it this way. But it was quite a dump really. My three sisters and I shared a room. We slept on a locally woven mat, known as Nkeka. The blankets we used were old and ragged. The hit was felt during winter. No matter how much you tried to cuddle yourself up, it wasn’t warm enough.

Dad had already retired by the time I was in Primary 1.When time came for me to go to secondary school, he had secured a job with one private secondary school. They paid him enough to pay my school fees. But still the money wasn't good enough. Dad still struggled to balance between providing fully for the family and paying my school fees. 

I was sent to a private secondary school. It was a catholic school. The fees were not much but now and then I was sent back home because of school fees balance. My Dad tried his best to make sure I attained education. He knew what it meant for me and I could see it in his eyes every time he talked to me about school. Being sent home because of school fees disturbed my learning and at the same time motivated me to work hard to bail my family out of poverty, especially my little sister. I wanted her to be educated someday. While I wanted to become a Doctor.

At St Peters Secondary School, I was once more one of the most intelligent students at my school. I remember in 2006 while in form 4, I was selected to go to Scotland to represent my school alongside three other students and two teachers. We went on an education visit to St Michael's Academy. Going to Scotland was like a dream and it motivated me to work even harder. I had seen snow! I always wanted to see snow. It was a Dream come true. I went back home fully energized to work hard so that someday am able to fly on my own to foreign countries. I wanted to see more snow.

After getting back from Scotland I immidiately sat for my form 4 national exams. Unfortunately, I did not do so well. I lost concentration. I had fantasized a bit too much about Scotland. My grades were not good enough. They were not what I expected to get. I was disappointed! Nevertheless, with determination and persistence I was selected to the University of Malawi.  I did my four years at the University with a lot of Financial struggles. My Father sold his land and house to get me through the four years of my study. It wasn’t easy but at the end of it, I made it. I graduated with a Degree with credit. The journey then begun: The Genesis!