Education: The Greatest Gift
As Thanksgiving and Giving Tuesday approach, we find ourselves reflecting on the profound impact of compassion and generosity. Among the many inspiring stories we encounter, one from Malawi shines as a beautiful reminder of how a single act of kindness can change a life forever. It’s the story of Pemphero, a determined young student whose return to education embodies the heart of buildOn’s mission and the transformative power of giving.
Mobility Challenges
Born with limited mobility, Pemphero was forced to crawl to get around his hometown of Mbongozi. Despite his brilliant mind and natural talent for engineering—he loves crafting toys and repairing small gadgets—he had to drop out of school in 2021 while in the fourth grade. Living with his elderly grandmother and aunt, Lyness, the daily challenges of mobility and the constant need for replacement clothes made continuing his education impossible.
A Glimmer of Hope
buildOn has been a cornerstone of progress in Mbongozi for years, helping to transform education in the community. In 2020, we replaced crumbling school structures with two sturdy, modern school blocks, providing a safe and supportive environment for children to learn. By 2022, Mbongozi became home to buildOn’s first secondary school in Malawi, establishing the village as an educational hub for the district. However, as Pemphero’s story reminds us, inadequate school infrastructure is just one of many barriers to education in economically developing countries like Malawi. For some students, challenges such as family financial struggles, disabilities, and regressive cultural attitudes toward women and girls can keep them out of school. That’s where buildOn’s Enroll Program makes a life-changing difference, addressing the root causes that keep children out of the classroom by supporting families with sustainable income sources and providing accelerated learning courses to help students catch up before enrolling in mainstream classes.
A Helping Hand
When buildOn Education Coordinator Magret Nyalungwe met Pemphero as part of our Enroll Program in Mbongozi in 2023, she was deeply moved by his story. Despite his circumstances, Pemphero maintained an unwavering positive attitude and determination to learn. He kept himself busy by working on a variety of different projects, from repairing broken gadgets to making brooms from local grass, to crafting cars from discarded wires, and even constructing small houses using old bricks.
July 6th, 2024—Malawi’s Independence Day—became a personal independence day for Pemphero when Magret presented him with a life-changing gift: a wheelchair. The moment brought tears of joy to his aunt’s eyes. “This wheelchair has come at the perfect time because it will change my nephew’s life and help him build a better future,” said Lyness.
Back on Track in School
Now, Pemphero is back in class and is currently in the fifth grade at Mbongozi Primary School. His dream of becoming an engineer seems more attainable than ever. “Pemphero has proved to be a genius both in class and outside,” his head teacher beams.
This holiday season, stories like Pemphero’s remind us that education is the greatest gift we can give. Through buildOn’s Enroll Program and the compassion of dedicated staff like Magret, we’re not just building schools—we’re building futures.
Want to help get students like Pemphero back in the classroom? Consider making a tax-deductible donation to support buildOn today.