Kwera SCC celebrates their final-year students.

The Kwera University of Malawi Student Climbers Community (SCC) organized a farewell party for their final-year members, blended with a get-together for all the Student Climbers, on 11th May 2024, at the Mwambo Lecture Theatre. The function was graced by Mr. Martin Matululu, the Registrar of the University of Malawi, Mr. Emmanuel W. Banda, the Learning and Development Manager at Kwera and Mr Thanks Elia Mwalwanda, President of the Students’ Representative Council (SRC). The event incorporated a motivational talk titled “Goal Setting and Achievements,” delivered by Mr Matululu. The event’s principal purpose was to provide practical tips on setting and achieving academic goals, emphasizing the importance of perseverance for both continuing and final-year students.

The president of Kwera-UNIMA SCC, Mr. Lloyd Laudan, a fourth-year student enrolled in the Bachelor of Education (Physics) programme, joined Kwera in October 2021. He explained that Kwera is an education fund established in Malawi in 2017, owned by a Danish social enterprise. it finances education for African students studying at local universities while simultaneously developing their personal and entrepreneurial skills, helping them achieve their dreams. Laudan further stated that he has been pursuing his education without any financial stress due to the Kwera programme, which has been supporting him ever since he joined UNIMA.

“Kwera provides assistance to its beneficiaries in various ways, including tuition fees, a laptop computer, and monthly data bundles, and it finances your education until the very end of your studies, eliminating the need to reapply time and again,” he said. “Presently, Kwera is financing over one thousand students across all the public universities in Malawi, two hundred and twenty (220) of whom are studying at the University of Malawi. Kwera has also established university-based communities, which aim to enhance the welfare of students in their respective universities within their academic and social lives, as well as promote mental health and women’s empowerment.”

Ms Catherine Matope, a third-year student enrolled in the Bachelor of Social Science in Social Work programme, also expressed her gratitude to Kwera for the financial aid provided for her studies. “I never had hope the day I heard that I had been selected at the University of Malawi to pursue my Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, since my parents couldn’t afford to pay for my tuition fees. By the grace of God, I was enrolled by Kwera, an organization that is now covering my tuition fees. This has made my life at university much easier, knowing that Kwera is supporting me financially.” She further urged fellow students who are financially disadvantaged to apply for Kwera so they can continue their academic journey without stress.

As a guest speaker at the event, Mr. Matululu shared his life experiences with the students. He also highlighted several key points in his speech, including providing practical tips to continuing students on how to cope with university life and maintain their academic goals amidst the dynamic community with numerous social demands. He emphasized the importance of perseverance to the final-year students and encouraged them to maintain a positive mindset towards their pursuits, whether related to their study fields, business endeavors, or work.

“As students, have a vision and mission, and also be clear: define your objectives and learn more about goal setting,” he said, continuing to advise them to network wisely and strategically, and to manage their time well by limiting their use of social media.

The event was spiced with various activities, including interactive games, drama performances, and songs.