When schools close for the long holiday, many children look forward to resting, playing with friends and spending time with their families. But for some children living in peri-urban communities, the long holiday can be a difficult time. With schools closed, some children may find themselves exposed to child labour, early marriages, abuse, negative peer pressure and other situations that can affect their well-being and future.
This is why, every year, Tingathe opens the doors of its Children’s Life Skills Programme, to give children a safe place to learn, interact with others and continue developing during the school break.
This year, children from communities around Njewa, Phereni, Nsanje, Muzu and Area 56 in Lilongwe came together for several weeks of learning, conversation, play and discovery. The programme gives children a safe space to spend part of their holiday while learning skills that support them both in school and in everyday life.
The children talked about health and well-being, self-awareness, communication, teamwork, problem-solving, career and goal setting, civic responsibility, environmental awareness and other life skills.
But some of the best moments were not found in the lessons themselves. They were found in the small changes we could see.
A child who was quiet at the beginning slowly started raising a hand. Another learned to listen to a different opinion. Children who did not know each other began working together, sharing ideas and encouraging one another.
Sometimes, development begins in these small moments.
A child does not only need knowledge. They also need confidence, people who listen to them and a place where they can discover what they are capable of.
Over the years, the programme has given children an opportunity to build confidence, learn from one another and develop skills that they can carry with them as they grow. Parents have also shared stories of children becoming more confident and showing positive changes in their school and everyday lives.
This year, 300 children completed the programme and celebrated their graduation at our Njewa and Area 56 centres in Lilongwe. As part of the celebration, the children also received Bags of Love containing exercise books, pens and reusable sanitary towels for female participants aged 12 to 17.
None of this happens because of one person.
Tingathe is grateful to the parents and guardians who trusted us with their children, the community leaders who continue to support our work, the young facilitators who gave their time and energy and our partners whose support makes programmes like this possible.
For Tingathe, working with communities means walking with people, listening to them and creating opportunities together.
Although the school holiday is not yet over, the programme has come to an end to give the children time to prepare for the next school term. Tingathe hopes the lessons and experiences they have gained will stay with them as they return to school.
Sometimes, a few weeks of learning can leave a child seeing themselves a little differently.
The programme has been part of Tingathe’s work with children since 2017 and has so far reached 2,132 children from communities including Kauma, Senti, Njewa, Mtandire, Area 50 and Mtsiliza in Lilongwe.