African Medical and Research Foundation (AMREF) and Shaping Our Future Foundation (SOFF) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which will see the former partnering with SOFF in bringing support in advancing education for Malawian children, and community-based health care activities.

The signing of the MoU took place on Monday, August 22, 2022, at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe.

Speaking during the signing ceremony, the First Lady of the Republic of Malawi, Madame Monica Chakwera said she is confident that the partnership between the two organizations will help marginalized girls stay in school with improved learning outcomes and engage communities to change social norms that devalue girls and their education.

She said: “This partnership will enable AMREF to bring in the missing element of support to link community-based health care activities and workers to the girls and boys we are supporting in the schools and also that health services and important health information are linked to our students, thereby guaranteeing that boys and girls have information about sexual and reproductive health issues.”

Madam Chakwera further said, she is sure that the signed agreement will greatly contribute to the goal of ensuring access, retention, and completion of secondary school education while thanking AMREF for joining hands with SOFF in supporting the government’s efforts in advancing education for children of Malawi.

But Chakwera said it is sad to note that close to 50% of Malawian girls get into marriage before the age of 18, with 9% getting married before the age of 15, emphasizing the need to protect, educate, empower and on good faith, girls of Malawi if the country is to realize the sustainable goals, adding that this is why SOFF exists.

In his speech, Group Chief Executive Officer for AMREF Githinji Gitahi said his organisation is committed to working with SOFF and Malawi’s First Lady in many areas of need, including capacity building for the team at SOFF, and grant development training for girl nurses and midwives.

African Medical and Research Foundation is the largest health development non-governmental international organisation based in Africa, committed to improving health, and it has its headquarters in Kenya. It is currently having its programs in over 35 countries in 35 countries across Africa.

Article first published on https://www.247malawi.com/amref-partners-soff-in-supporting-child-education-and-health-care-activities-in-malawi/