WHISPERS OF HOPE

 

UNDER THE MANGO TREE

THE RETURN

Even though I left Kasungu some time ago, my heart remains tethered to it. The experiences and lessons I gained there continue to guide me in every aspect of my work. Kasungu shaped my career, and every time I return, it feels like reconnecting with an old friend., I had the opportunity to work in Kasungu again for a few days. The organization I now work with focuses on menstrual hygiene interventions to reduce school absenteeism among girls. By distributing menstrual health kits and providing education on menstrual health, we aim to tackle one of the key barriers to girls’ school attendance—poverty and menstruation. 

As I stepped into rural schools once again, memories of my early days in Kasungu came flooding back. The warmth of the communities, the vibrant traditional dances, the comforting Nsima and local chicken, and, most poignantly, the infectious smiles of the children.

The Girls Under the Mango Tree

On one of our project days, a group of four teenage girls caught my eye. Unlike their peers who were neatly dressed in school uniforms, these girls had adorned themselves to stand out. One had braided hair with bright red lipstick, another wore heavy makeup on her strikingly fair face, while the other two had glitter sprinkled across their short, natural hairstyles. They walked confidently, heads held high, shoulders back, and arms swinging purposefully.

Their presence was magnetic, and I felt a pull toward them. Perhaps it was my passion for girls’ education and development drawing me closer. It was clear they hadn’t come to attend the event; they were merely curious onlookers. Their wide, inquisitive eyes revealed their desire to know what was happening.

I invited them to sit with me, slightly away from the crowd, under the shade of a sprawling mango tree. The breeze under its branches was cool, a welcome relief from the sun’s intensity.

I broke the ice with a simple question: “Do you go to school?” Their response was unexpected—they burst into laughter, loud and unrestrained. I was taken aback, unsure of what was so amusing.

“Sukulu tidasiyanikale ife,” one of them boldly declared, meaning, “We dropped out of school long ago.” Their audacity, coupled with their laughter, only made me more curious.

“What are your ambitions in life?” I asked, directing the question to the quietest girl in the group. She shrugged, smiled faintly, and said, “Aaaaaa, palibe te!”—“Absolutely nothing.”

Nothing. The word lingered in the air, heavy with resignation.

 Dreams Deferred

I rephrased my question, hoping to spark a glimmer of aspiration. “What do you wish for in life? Is there something you don’t have now that you dream of having someday?”

But still, nothing.

When I turned to the others, one replied with a dismissive snap: “We walk around the community for fun. That’s pretty much what we love to do.”

The conversation eventually revealed a sad truth. The girls had dropped out of school because their families couldn’t afford the basics—uniforms, notebooks, or even food. One girl said she left school because she believed she wasn’t intelligent. “Ine ndine mbuli,” she said, meaning, “I am ignorant.” She explained that failing in class repeatedly made her feel humiliated and hopeless, and school lost all meaning.

As I listened, my heart bled. These girls’ futures were being quietly and systematically destroyed. Without education or a platform to nurture their skills and talents, their potential was slipping through the cracks.

The situation isn’t unique to these girls. Across Malawi and much of Africa, many children face the same barriers—limited access to education, gender inequality, and a lack of resources. The question remains: where is the gap, and what must we do to bridge it?

A Vision for Change

Whenever I encounter stories like these, my dream for a better world becomes sharper. I envision a world that is:

• Free from early and forced marriages: A world where girls are empowered to realize their potential and pursue their passions.

• Free from discrimination in access to opportunities: A world where every child is valued equally and given a chance to succeed.

• Free from gender inequalities: A world where educating a girl is as important as educating a boy.

When we uplift girls and women, uphold their rights, and create equal opportunities for all, we pave the way for the Africa we envision—a continent that benefits everyone, leaving no one behind.

The story of those girls under the mango tree is a call to action. It challenges us to reflect on our roles in creating change.