For many children, going to school is something they take for granted but for 15-year-old Emelia Banda, becoming a pupil at boarding school is a dream she once feared might never come true.
Emelia, a Form One pupil at Petauke Boarding Secondary School, has faced many challenges growing up. After her parents’ marriage ended, life became even more difficult for her and her mother. With no formal employment, Emelia’s mother depends on small-scale farming to support the family, a task that has often been challenging due to limited resources.
Despite working tirelessly in the fields, providing for school requirements was never easy. Paying for school fees seemed almost impossible and Emelia worried that her dream of continuing her education might fade away.
However, hope came through the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) bursary, which has now made it possible for Emelia to attend school without the heavy burden of boarding fees.
The bursary has not only lifted financial pressure from her family but has also opened a new chapter in Emelia’s life.
This is my first time to be in boarding school, and I am really enjoying it,” Emelia said with a smile.
Being at a boarding school has given her the opportunity to focus on her studies, make new friends and experience a learning environment she had only imagined before. Away from the daily struggles at home, she now has the space and time to concentrate on building her future.
Emelia says she is deeply grateful for the support she has received through the CDF bursary, as it has given her a chance that many children in similar situations often miss.
Her story is a reminder of the power of educational support programs in transforming lives. For young learners like Emelia, the bursary is more than just financial assistance, it is a bridge to opportunity, hope and a brighter future.
With determination in her heart and support behind her, Emelia Banda is now focused on working hard in school so that one day she can uplift her family and inspire other young girls facing similar challenges.