Sponsorship
Secondary School Student
““I fully appreciate the support that you have been giving me. Through your help I have managed to get secondary education which has so far opened the gates to University education.” - Goodluck Banda (sponsored student)”
Secondary Student Sponsorship Programme
We believe that education is a key to change. Sponsorship gives a child the means to escape from poverty and to change his or her life for good. Not only does it make a difference to a young person’s life, but sponsors tell us that it has made a difference to their lives too.
What does it involve?
Sponsorship provides for school fees, board, food, most books and a small amount of pocket money. Assistance is provided for those who cannot afford uniforms. Sponsors receive details of their students background and a yearly school progress report and students write one letter to their sponsors every term.
Why are we doing this?
Primary School Education in Malawi is funded by the government.
However Secondary School education is fee-paying only. So, for those families with barely enough money for food to survive, paying school fees is clearly out of the question. The Starfish Bursary Fund provides a living allowance and travel assistance for those of our own sponsored students who are studying at University. We are not able to assist students with university fees who have not come through our programme.
What does the student need to do?
Students must pass their Primary School Leaving Exam with high enough grades to be selected for Secondary Education by the Malawi Education Board and also meet the Starfish Sponsorship Programme selection criteria.
How much does it cost to Sponsor a Student?
It cost £20 per month, or £240 for a full year for each student.
Please click here and complete our Standing Order Form
Please click on the button below to download our Secondary Student Sponsorship Leaflet
““We have experienced a sense of great satisfaction and fulfilment in knowing that we are instrumental in not only helping to form young minds but giving them hope and love for their future.”
— - John & Michelle Cattell (sponsors)”
Sponsored Student Stories
Morton Sibale
Morton was one of the first children to be helped through our Student Sponsorship programme. He was also the first Starfish student who went to University straight from Secondary School.
In an interview with a member of the Starfish Malawi team in 2015, Morton said, “whatever I will end up being, I will owe it to Starfish Malawi for helping me see this journey through from secondary school to college, which is 8 years. It was something my single mother would not have managed, and the efforts of Starfish to change my life are commendable. Now I see myself becoming someone in life, something which could not have been realised if it were not for Starfish!”
Read his full story here.
““If it were not for my sponsors I would never have been able to attend Secondary School, to have a skill in Information Technology, and to have a great future as a qualified teacher. I am so thankful to them for their support through the years.””
Daniel Augustine
was accepted into the Starfish Student Sponsorship Programme in 2008. His secondary education was at Chipoka School and in 2011 he passed his MSCE Final Exams.
He had an interest in Information Technology and with his sponsors’ encouragement and assistance he embarked on a Computer training Course. He was successful in this and at one time assisted in the training at the Starfish Office.
Daniel enjoyed being a trainer and this gave him a desire to teach. He was accepted to train at Kasungu Teacher Training College. He is now qualified and teaching Standard 6 pupils at Lombwa School.
In his own words, Daniel says: “Starfish was a transformation in my life. I came from a very poor family and had little hope of a future. But Starfish gave me a chance and now I can take care of my Mum and sisters.”
Sarah Malala
Sarah was one of the first students to be sponsored by Starfish Malawi. Sarah would wake up very early to leave for school at 5am with her friends, often on an empty stomach. After achieving very good results in her primary school leaving exam, she managed to get into secondary school. However, the school fees were too high for her father to pay. Thanks to the Starfish Malawi Student Sponsorship Programme, the staff at a Magistrates' Court in the UK decided to sponsor Sarah throughout her secondary education. She worked hard in class and passed her Junior Certificate and Malawi School Certificate of Education with excellent grades before applying for the university entry examination. Due to her good grades Sarah successfully applied to go to the teachers training college in Kasungu District.
A member of her sponsor’s team continued to provide money for her needs during her teacher training course, which enabled her to study without the added anxiety of financial worries.
Sarah completed the course and began her teaching career.
Sarah has told us, “My aim is to give back my community the benefits I have received from Starfish Sponsorship”.
If you feel able to help us support and provide for a young person,
Please click here if you would like to donate to our Student Sponsorship programme
Meet our Schools Sponsorship UK Team
Fiona Gibbon - UK Sponsorship Coordinator - Email: fiona_gibbon@hotmail.com
Maggie Mitchell - Sponsorship Programme Director - Email: southlodgefarm@gmail.com
Pamela Thwaites - UK Sponsorship Coordinator - Email: pamelathwaites@yahoo.co.uk
