Meet the Students: A New Chapter in Malawi

A New Role and a New Opportunity

This September, I’ll be returning to Malawi, and I couldn’t be more excited!

This trip will be especially meaningful because I’ve stepped into a new role with Giving Basics  as the Student Sponsorship Coordinator for incoming freshmen and new students.

I’ll have the privilege of meeting this year’s incoming students, spending time with them, and hear their stories firsthand. 

Our team will also be meeting with the teachers, staff, and board members of St. Patricia's Secondary School, along with the Shine Malawi team, as we look back on our first school year together and prayerfully discuss ways to continue strengthening the school.

Like any new school, St. Patricia's first year wasn’t perfect. We faced challenges, learned valuable lessons, and made adjustments along the way. But through it all, God was faithful.

Students were learning, staff was investing, and lives were being changed. 

Watching God work through this school has been a beautiful reminder that He is always faithful to accomplish His purposes.

Meet This Year’s Students

As we prepare for another school year, I’d love to introduce you to this year’s incoming students!

To protect their privacy, I’ll only be sharing their first names publicly. 

Behind each name is a unique story that deserves to be told with dignity. 

These are not teenagers looking to be rescued. They are bright, hardworking young men and women who have overcome challenges and simply need the opportunity to continue the education they’ve worked so hard to pursue.

Meet each of these incredible students:

Aaron — Dreams of encouraging other children with disabilities to believe they can achieve their goals.

Asher — Dreams of continuing his education and building a better future.

Daniellah — Dreams of becoming a doctor.

Elizabeth — Dreams of becoming a lawyer.

Iness — Dreams of becoming a doctor.

Madalitso — Dreams of becoming financially independent and making a difference in the community.

Maria — Dreams of building a better future for her family and serving her community.

Martha — Dreams of continuing her education and reaching her full potential.

Nathan — Dreams of completing his education and supporting his family.

Nester — Dreams of becoming a doctor.

Nullah — Dreams of building a career while serving family and community.

Olivia — Dreams of continuing her education and reaching her goals.

Progress — Dreams of continuing her education and creating a better future.

Rebecca — Dreams of building a better future through education.

Stephano — Dreams of building a successful future and supporting his family.

Thandi — Dreams of completing her education and serving her community.

Trinity — Dreams of continuing her education and building a better future.

Yohane — Dreams of continuing his education and achieving his goals.

Although I’m only sharing their first names and aspirations here to protect their privacy, I’d be honored to share more of their story with anyone who feels led to learn more.

More than Education

Each of these students has faced challenges that could easily prevent them from continuing their education. 

Sponsorship does far more than cover school fees.

 It provides a safe place to live while attending school, nutritious meals each day, counseling, healthcare, transportation, school supplies, and personal support.

More than anything, it gives these teenagers the opportunity to stay in school and pursue the future God has placed before them.

One of the things I appreciate most about Giving Basics is our commitment to stewardship. 

Everyone serving with Giving Basics in the United States is a volunteer, which means 100% of every sponsorship dollar goes directly toward each student’s education and personal needs. 

When you sponsor a student, you can be confident your gift is going exactly where it’s intended.

How You Can Help

As I begin this new role, I’ll admit it feels a little overwhelming.

I don’t know hundreds of people looking to sponsor students, but I know the God who does. 

He has faithfully provided for this ministry long before I became part of it, and I trust He’ll continue to do so.

• If God places one of these students on your heart, would you consider sponsoring them? 

* visit Giving Basics, comment on this blog post, email, text, or call me for more information. 

• If sponsorship isn’t possible right now, would you help me by sharing this opportunity with your church, your small group, your family, or your friends? 

You never know how God might use one conversation, one shared post, or one act of generosity to change the course of someone’s life.

Above all else, I would love for you to pray.

A Prayer for These Students

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for every one of these students. You know each of them by name and have created them with purpose. I pray that You would provide every sponsor they need and remind them that their value is found first in You. Strengthen them as they continue their education, protect them, and continue the good work You have begun in their lives.

I also pray for everyone who reads these stories. Soften our hearts, fill us with compassion, and guide each of us in how You would have us respond.

Lord, as I prepare to return to Malawi and serve in this new role, keep my heart centered on You. Help me to listen well, love well, and remember that this ministry is Yours, not mine. May everything we do point people to Your faithfulness and Your grace.

In Jesus' name, Amen.

Thank you for praying, for sharing these students’ stories, and for partnering with us as God continues His work in Malawi.

If God places one of these students on your heart, I’d be honored to share more of their story with you and answer any questions you have about sponsorship.

• I would love to hear your thoughts and experiences, feel free to leave a comment below.

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