THE LIFE STORY OF YAMIKANI

On my behalf and behalf of my family in Dedza, I would like to express my story on the lifestyle that I’ve passed through all the way from my childhood till now and my gratitude on what the family of Jack van Uden through StandUp4Talent is doing to me. In the family of my g/mom, six children were born and among them was my mother who died whilst I was two months old. I was raised by my grandmother who is now in 70s. Out of the six children which my grandmother bore, only one who is my uncle is living but jobless. At home, I do stay with my g/mom and my niece who is in standard 5.

I was sent to St Joseph’s Primary school where I learned from standard 1 up to 8. I got selected to Bembeke community day secondary school in 2010 and I sat for my Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE) in 2014. But looking on the grades I obtained, it couldn’t take me to anywhere for further education. So, I was sent to Mtendere Secondary school in 2015 where I re-do from form 3 to form 4, and I got 31 points which took me to where I’m; here at The Catholic University of Malawi.

From my primary education, I had passed in hard life style since my grandmother did not afford to provide me with basic needs for my education. Luck enough, whilst I standard 6, a certain nongovernmental organization called Ambassadors Girls Scholarship Program (AGSP) from America under George Bush started helping me till I reached standard 8. That was when my life start changing for better than before. But that help stopped when I started secondary education since the organization aimed at uplifting primary pupils as to prevent them from school dropout. My worry some time, was when I was selected to that secondary since there was no one to pay me school fees.

Luck enough, come in Mr. Jack Van Uden under the Mirjam foundation and adopted me and start paying my education. That was in 2010 till 2016. Mr. Jack van Uden has been providing me and my entire family a lot of basics. I and my grandmother had no good house as we were staying in a small house. He used to bought my family fertilizers which contributed us to enough food than before meeting him. I appreciate a lot.

I’m very pleased that I’m here at Catholic University of Malawi doing Arts in Education in linguistics. I appreciate a lot for your help especially in fee payment, accommodation and food. There is no one who can assist me from my family as my uncle who is staying in Lilongwe is not working. I thank for Mr. Jack van Uden for having me a new foundation to pay me university fees.

My hobbies are playing handball and sometimes I like chatting with friends. My un forgettable moments in my life is that one of being adopted and helped with Mr. Jack and the StandUp4Talent Foundation. I was very pleased when I was taught that a new foundation will be paying me the university fees. Another luckiest moment is when I got enrolled with The Catholic University of Malawi. I was full of joy when I saw my name on the list among the student from this university. I remember that I danced with joy and refused to eat when asked by my g/mom.

I really appreciate for the support from Mr. Jack van Uden and the StandUp4Talent. May the Almighty God bless him together with all members from the board! Be blessed!