Mangochi, MALAWI – At just 13 years old, Eliza Mpezi’s dreams of completing school were shattered when her father passed away unexpectedly. The burden of financial struggles forced her to abandon her education in Standard 8.
“I had no money for school fees,” she recalls. “As the firstborn, I had to step up and help my mother support my younger siblings.”
Her father, a dedicated teacher, had been the family’s sole breadwinner. After his death, they hoped to receive his pension benefits, but those hopes were cruelly dashed. Relatives seized everything they could—leaving Eliza’s family with nothing.
“They even took our beds and cooking utensils,” she says. “My mother developed high blood pressure from the stress, and she has never fully recovered.”
For five years, Eliza stayed home, working on their small farm with her mother to put food on the table. The little they grew barely covered their needs, and to make ends meet, she took on menial jobs in her community.
But the poverty was stinging as the money she earned wasn’t enough. In desperation, she married at 17, believing it would provide stability.
It was a mistake. The marriage fell apart after I gave birth. My husband lost interest in me and started seeing other girls. I decided to leave and return to my mother’s house.”
That decision marked a turning point. Soon after, Eliza heard about a safe space in her community—a haven created by UNFPA through the Joint Education Programme, funded by the Government of Norway.
These safe spaces offer more than just shelter; they provide young mothers and girls with comprehensive sexuality education, counselling, life skills training, and vocational support. Trained mentors offer psychological guidance, helping them heal from past traumas and inspiring them to reclaim their futures.
“I was hearing so many good things about it, so I decided to give it a try,” she says.
Eliza quickly realized she had made the right choice. The safe space gave her a supportive, judgment-free environment where she could reflect on her life and plan for the future. Surrounded by peers facing similar challenges, she found renewed motivation.
“After enduring a failed marriage, I understood that education was the only way I could achieve my dreams,” says Eliza, who aspires to become a police officer.
Now in her first year of secondary school, Eliza is determined to succeed. Alongside her studies, she is also learning vocational skills. She chose to make floor mats—a skill that helps her earn an income.
“On a good week, I make about two mats, which I sell for MK7,500,” she says proudly. “This money helps me pay my school fees and support my baby.”
Eliza is not alone in her journey. Another young mother, 24-year-old Margaret Dickson, has also found hope through the safe space initiative.
A mother of one, Margaret married early—dropping out of school in Standard 7 to become a housewife.
“I had no skills to improve my life,” she says. “But everything changed after I joined the safe space.”
Margaret chose to learn modern farming techniques and now runs a thriving vegetable farm. Beyond economic empowerment, the safe spaces equip young women with essential knowledge on sexual and reproductive health, including family planning and maternal health care.
“I was especially impressed by the information on family planning,” she says. “After learning about different methods, I discussed it with my husband, and we agreed that I should take Norplant for five years.”
While returning to school feels out of reach for Margaret after so many years, she remains hopeful.
“I can barely remember anything from school,” she admits with a laugh. “But I’m using the business skills I’ve learned to secure a better future for my family.”
Today, Margaret earns close to MK55,000 per month from selling her produce—an income that allows her to provide for her child and invest in their future.
Joseph Scott, Communications Specialist
