Community engagement is key to success for Ufulu at Mafunde
- mark81964
- Apr 1
- 2 min read
Updated: Jun 19
Community engagement is playing a key role in the successful rollout of Hope4Malawi’s Ufulu programme for teenagers. The programme is being launched in Hope4Malawi’s partner primary schools to help the children live healthier and happier lives.
Following the 9th session of the 12-session course held at Mafunde Primary School, the Hope4Development teaching team hosted a meeting for the parents of the Standard 6 students attending the course.
This meeting is a great opportunity for parents to learn more about the programme, to encourage them, to explain the course content, and to give them a chance to answer questions.
Creating good relationships with parents and providing clear information encourages the parents to support the programme and continue sending their children to school.
The team also met with the student’s parents before the start of the course. This initial meeting was attended by the local village chiefs, the mothers’ group at the school, the teachers and the PTA. It introduced the programme, giving the community the chance to ask questions and discuss some issues that the children are facing.
The later session on March 19 was an opportunity to follow up, discuss progress and gain valuable feedback. The session was led by Harriet, supported by Charis, UK-based Projects Coordinator and Cuthbert, a member of the Hope4Development team.
Positive feedback from parents
The Ufulu course covers a variety of topics, including gender equality, promoting girls’ empowerment, building relationships with others, emotional wellbeing, and sexual and reproductive health. These can be challenging subjects for teens to discuss with their parents.
Feedback from the parents was extremely positive; they said:
"My child is no longer rude.”
“I didn't know about the course, but I had noticed a positive change in my child – now I know why.”
“My child knows how their body changes.”
“The UFULU programme teaches children what parents are afraid to teach them.”
Can you help a child in Malawi?
Thanks to the support of our partners, sponsors, fundraisers and volunteers, Hope4Malawi's Youth Development programmes, school building, resourcing projects, and student sponsorships continue to provide life-changing opportunities for children in rural Blantyre.
For further information on how to get involved, please get in touch.
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