Empower Girls in Malawi with Life Skills Education

Throughout the winter AGE Africa has continued to grow our CHATS' Girls Club membership and our network of scholars. This continued growth is only possible because of our incredible community of supporters who bring their passion to empowering others.

It has not been an easy winter, and in March 2023, Cyclone Freddy battered Malawi's southern region for five days, causing unprecedented flooding and loss of life. AGE Africa Scholars and their families living in the areas hit hardest by the storm now live in temporary camps. Schools are closed and severely damaged. Since schools were shut down and many of our community members have been impacted by the flooding, our current priority is to support them through this time and give our girls a sense of hope and normalcy.

For our members, CHATS' Girls Clubs increase their likelihood of completing secondary school from 7% nationally to 90%. Our Let's CHATS Radio program, which launched in 2020 because of the pandemic, has ensured we can continue disseminating its life-changing curriculum, even in national emergencies like this. Radio programming from district radio stations reaches 4 million girls and helps to maintain their support network when other resources are unavailable.

Even in adversity, or community continues to thrive. We're excited to announce that two AGE Africa CHATS program alumnae have been settling into their new roles as full-time team members. Both alumnae were part of the first cohort introduced to AGE Africa's CHATS life skills program. They credit the CHATS curriculum and after-school clubs for increasing their confidence, developing leadership qualities, and setting and achieving their goals. They are the first women in their families and villages to complete secondary school and university.