Speaking after laying a foundation stone for the construction of girls’ hostel at Mulanje Mission Community Day Secondary School, the Founder of the Trust Madam Dr. Gertrude Mutharika says BEAM is committed to improving girls’ education which is often compromised by long distances to day schools.

She said BEAM will continue soliciting funds that will help the trust to construct girls’ hostels all over the country.

Dr Mutharika said lack of proper hostels is hampering education as students walk long distances to access education. She said these are the situations that lead girls to engage in immoral practices like prostitution.

The First Lady said educated girls will be able to contribute effectively to the development of Malawi apart from making informed decisions in their lives.

Madam Dr Mutharika however appealed to parents to encourage the girl child to go to school as construction of the hostels would be meaningless if girls don’t attend school and utilize them.

Madam Mutharika added that educating a girl child is educating a nation and advised girls to work hard and be focused if the hostel is to achieve its intended purpose.

“Through the Beautify Malawi - BEAM Trust, we do not only aim at keeping Malawi clean, it is also our biggest mandate to ensure that the girl child accesses education while living in a better environment that is conducive for school. Some of these girls have to travel 15 kilometres on foot just to come to school. These are the situations that we want to bring to an end,” said Dr Mutharika.

In his part, Parliamentarian for Mulanje Central Constituency who is also Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Kondwani Nankhumwa commended BEAM for considering the construction of girls’ hostel in his constituency. He said this is another milestone to girls’ education in the country.

Moderator at Mulanje Mission Rev. Dr Billy Gama pointed out that the hostel will help to keep girls in school. He added that the mission will make sure that the hostel achieves its purpose. Rev. Dr Gama said the biggest challenge the girls are facing at the school is long distance.