Chifuniro embraces ‘Maloto Anga Initiative’ to promote education

Malawi: Chifuniro Banda, a gospel musician based in Lilongwe, has joined the 'Maloto Anga Initiative,' which aims to promote education in the country by, among other things, inspiring students in primary and secondary schools to excel in their studies.

Through the initiative, the artist recently paid a visit to his former school, Msaza Primary School in Salima district, where he celebrated one year of inspiring students.

Chifuniro expressed his excitement in an interview about inspiring students at Msaza Primary School through the Maloto Anga Initiative.

"I thank God for the reality of a rural school with students who now work hard not only to receive the awards we give out each term, but also to have a relatable role model committed to sponsoring their education until they become responsible citizens," Chifuniro said.

Since September 2021, the artist has been donating various learning materials such as notebooks and pens to the top five students in each class at Msaza Primary School, and he has also donated school uniforms to three top students in each class at the school.

Chifuniro once assisted in the ongoing renovations of the staff room at his former primary school with Maloto Anga Initiative and also stocked the school's library with textbooks with the help of Bambino Schools.

Since the initiative's inception, the musician has also helped the Salima community build a makeshift bridge across the Kaninga River, which prevents some Msaza Primary School students from attending classes during the rainy season.

The artist has also paid for the top three Msaza Primary School students who have progressed to secondary school.

According to him, he intends to add another cohort of Msaza Primary School best students who will be chosen this year to pursue secondary education, and he promises to assist the students until they complete their education.

The artist also promised to continue raising funds for Msaza Primary School from well-wishers and to collaborate with an urban elite school for scholarships and other developments before expanding his initiative to other rural schools outside of Salima.

As a result, he urged well-wishers in the country to join him in raising educational standards, particularly in rural areas.

Msaza Primary School Head-teacher Ronnex Mtalimanja thanked Chifuniro for inspiring and supporting students at his school through the Maloto Anga Initiative in his comment.

"We are confident that the Initiative's students will return to this school and emulate what Chifuniro is doing," he said.

He also stated that they expect to send more students to secondary school this year thanks to Chifuniro's initiative.

Chifuniro launched the Maloto Anga Initiative in September of last year, following the release of his debut album, Maloto Anga.