Leadership and Development

Dear Reader,

Schools have closed. Students in examination classes are anxiously waiting for the results. Our experience informs us that those who performed well often have a sense of their success even before the official announcement, as true understanding precedes the test itself. Meanwhile, students who were in non-examination classes have progressed to the next level. However, it is possible that some students may be advancing with unsatisfactory results. This makes it crucial for parents to discuss with their children on what went wrong and how they plan to improve.

While it is easy to blame students, we also need to acknowledge that there could also be other factors that affect our children’s learning. For instance, the changes in climate might as well affect the performance of students. We should also consider looking at the school environment itself and its impact on teaching and learning processes.

We need to interrogate if the over-provision of certain things inadvertently hinders the concentration of students? Parents might wonder how "over-provision" could negatively affect a child's performance. Imagine a child with an excessive amount of food in their suitcase or who receives such things every Saturday. Instead of focusing in class, the child will be busy thinking of break time to teach the food or might be preoccupied with thoughts of snack time or the upcoming weekend visit. If a child is used to being visited every week and you miss a week for some reason, the child's concentration can be disrupted.

Therefore, as we reflect on the children's performance, let us seriously reflect on the matters of our own actions that might be contributing factors. We also have to spend time on monitoring what our children are doing in order to make an inference for schoolwork. Is it important to monitor the time our children spend on television or their phones? Do we need to know if our children are active on social media? Who do they interact with? Do you know their friends? What times of the day do they chat, and is there a specific pattern? What stories do they say about their friends? Are you able to pick some indicators from the conversations? It's disheartening that parents of today seem to have forgotten their own childhood and school experiences. Children need to be reminded that the path they trail today is not new; their parents have already walked it.

They need to understand that not everything the children say is new and should be adopted. We have been children ourselves and we know what our children are going through. We have been adolescents ourselves and we know what we were doing that was not right and how we managed. Additionally, please take time to share childhood stories. Let your children know the things that shaped you and discuss how they affected you, either positively or negatively.

For children, holidays are the best times to learn new things that are not academic. It's time to apply practical knowledge in various fields like agriculture. If your parents are farmers, go and farm with them, rearing cattle or growing vegetables. If your parents are in the business of selling Kaunjika (second-hand clothes), go and sell with them.

The school holiday is not a time to loiter aimlessly in town. Learn from the best teachers you have: your parents. Get into the productive work your parents are doing. Don't spend too much on television, sports activities; the right to play also requires good nutrition and economic empowerment.

The Malawi Government and UNICEF, with support from the Children's Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), have launched a project on ending child marriages targeting Mzimba, Phalombe, Lilongwe Rural, Mulanje, Thyolo, Chikwawa, Nsanje, Mangochi, Machinga, and Dedza districts. We are aware of the various cultural issues that are prevalent in these districts, particularly "Chinamwali" (a rite of passage that initiates young people into adulthood). While culture itself is not inherently bad, it is important that we do away with the harmful aspects. If children participate in cultural festivals, parents and community gatekeepers should ensure that the children are released before school resumes.

More importantly, let us give the children information in accordance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, ensuring it is accurate and age appropriate. In the event that children's rights are being violated, do not hesitate to call us on 116 or 5600, or email [email protected].

Have a wonderful August 2026

The August 2026 edition of the YONECO Voice Monthly Newsletter is out! 📰

Get highlights of our work in promoting the rights and welfare of youth, women, children and vulnerable communities.
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YONECO Voice Monthly Newsletter – August 2026 The YONECO Voice Monthly Newsletter for August 2026 Newsletter is now out! Click to access the YONECO Voice Monthly Newsletter - August 2026

YONECO's Machinjiri Early Childhood Development (ECD) Centre in Blantyre celebrated learners' achievements and progress during an end-of-term 3 closing ceremony that was held on 30 July 2026.

The ceremony brought together parents, guardians and caregivers who discussed the importance of early childhood education in academic, social and emotional development.

The learners organized various performances, including songs, poems, dances and educational presentations. The performances showcased the children's creativity, confidence and skills acquired at the centre.

"My child has improved tremendously. She is more confident, communicates better, and has developed strong problem-solving skills," said Mary Maida, one of the parents who attended the event.

YONECO is currently supporting a five-day training session for Children Corner Facilitators in Ntcheu district aimed to strengthen community-based child protection services under the UNICEF-supported Social Protection for Gender Empowerment and Resilience (SP-GEAR) Project.

The training which has targeted 30 facilitators from the areas of Traditional Authority (T/A) Masasa and Chakhumbira, brought together facilitators who will be equipped with practical skills to create safe, supportive, and inclusive spaces for children.

Participants are being actively engaged in interactive learning activities, including group discussions, role plays, practical exercises, and case studies focusing is on psychosocial support, child safeguarding, and inclusive approaches to working with vulnerable children.

The training is designed to enhance the capacity of facilitators to effectively manage Children Corners and provide children with environments that promote protection, participation, learning, and overall well-being.

"This initiative will strengthen community efforts to safeguard children by ensuring that the facilitators are well-equipped to respond to the diverse needs of children, particularly those facing vulnerability," explained one Village Head from T/A Masasa.

The SP-GEAR Project seeks to empower vulnerable women and girls to escape extreme poverty, enhance community resilience, and address gender inequalities through targeted economic and social support.

Today, our team in Mangochi District participated in a march supporting the Judiciary's campaign to promote access to justice. The march also helped to raise awareness of people's right to fair, equal, and timely access to justice.

On 28 July 2026, YONECO conducted a sensitization meeting with health workers at Milepa Health Centre in Chiradzulu district in a bid to strengthen the provision of quality and stigma-free health services for High-Risk Populations (HRP).

The session was aimed at promoting the delivery of respectful, confidential, and non-discriminatory HIV prevention, testing, treatment, and care services which are very critical for populations at increased risk of HIV infection.

During the sessions, the facilitators and participants also discussed the crucial role of peer educators in connecting clients to health services.

"As healthcare workers, we have a responsibility to provide quality and non-discriminatory care to every client, thereby helping Malawi achieve an HIV-free generation by 2030," explained one participant.

The meeting was held with support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The project seeks to improve access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and HIV services for populations at increased risk of HIV infection.

In total, the meeting brought together 31 health workers (18 males and 13 females).

On 24 July 2026, YONCO conducted a life skills session at Chitipa Model Primary School in Chitipa district preparing learning for a productive school holiday.

The session emphasized the importance of remaining committed to education, building self-confidence and making positive choices.

Learners were encouraged to remain resilient regardless of their examination results. Additionally, the learners were also urged use the school holiday productively by engaging in positive activities, avoid risky behaviours and return to school prepared for the next academic term.

YONECO equipped learners with knowledge of child rights through an outreach session that was conducted at Lilongwe L.E.A. Primary School on 21 July 2026, aimed to empower children to recognize, protect, and advocate for their rights.

The learners were educated on their fundamental rights as provided for under various national and international child protection frameworks, including the Constitution of the Republic of Malawi, the Child Care, Protection and Justice Act (CCPJA), and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).

The learners were further urged to continuously protect and respect the rights of children with disabilities, who are often sidelined in various activities both at school and in the community.

"This session has equipped us with skills to become 'peer protectors,' promoting inclusion and speaking out against abuse of our fellow children, including those with disabilities," explained Humphrey Moyo, Standard 7 learner.

The learners were also introduced to YONECO's toll-free Child Helpline (116), an alternative reporting mechanism for child rights abuses that operates 24 hours a day.

Stakeholders in Mangochi district have reaffirmed their commitment to improving public safety by strengthening community policing structures. The stakeholders have also agreed to continuously encourage community members to report crime and violence without fear.