Matthews’ Journey: Working Towards a Future in Nutrition
For Matthews Donnie, sponsorship has been much more than help with school fees. It has given him the opportunity to continue his education through some of the most difficult moments of his life, and to work towards a future where he hopes to make a difference in his community.
Matthews is now in his final, fourth year at the University of Malawi in Zomba, studying for a Bachelor of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences. This is his story.
My Sponsorship Journey
My name is Matthews Donnie, and I am the firstborn in a family of five children. I am also the only son in the family.
I started receiving sponsorship in 2018 while I was a student at Lunzu Boarding Secondary School. Before receiving sponsorship, it would have been very difficult for my parents to pay my school fees because they were unemployed and relied mainly on small-scale farming to provide food for our family. The sponsorship came at a very important time in my life and allowed me to continue my education without placing additional financial pressure on my parents.
The sponsorship helped me tremendously throughout my secondary school education. Because of this support, I was able to complete my studies without financial difficulties and successfully passed my Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE) examinations with good grades.
A few months after finishing secondary school, I experienced one of the most difficult moments of my life when my father passed away on 4 December 2022. At that time, I was waiting to begin university studies. Fortunately, I was selected to attend university, but my mother could not afford the costs of higher education on her own.
During this challenging period, I was informed that Hope4Malawi had found a sponsor for me. This support made it possible for me to continue pursuing my education and gave me hope for the future.
Connecting with My Sponsors
One of the most rewarding parts of sponsorship has been exchanging letters with my sponsors. I enjoy receiving their letters and learning more about their lives, families, and experiences.
Writing back to them has also allowed me to share my own journey and personal experiences. These exchanges have helped me feel connected to people who genuinely care about my education and well-being, even though they live far away.
Their encouragement has motivated me to keep working hard toward my goals.
University and My Future
I completed my secondary education at Lunzu Boarding Secondary School in 2022 and began my studies at the University of Malawi in 2023. I am now in my final year of study, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences.
My university experience has provided me with valuable knowledge and skills that I hope to use to make a positive contribution to society. During holidays, I work with Hope4Development in different departments.
After graduation, I would like to work as a nutritionist. In Malawi, nutritionists play an important role in promoting healthy diets, reducing malnutrition, educating communities about proper nutrition, and supporting public health programmes.
I am passionate about helping improve the nutritional well-being of individuals and families, especially children and vulnerable communities.
In addition to my professional goals, I would also like to advocate for children's education within my community because I believe that education is one of the most powerful tools for creating positive change.
Looking Back
Looking back, sponsorship has had a life-changing impact on my journey.
It has enabled me to pay for my tuition, accommodation, and other educational expenses, allowing me to focus on my studies and work toward my dreams. The support I have received has opened doors that would otherwise have been very difficult to access.
I am deeply grateful for the opportunities that sponsorship has provided and for the people who have invested in my future. Their generosity has made a lasting difference in my life, and I hope to use the education I am receiving to make a meaningful contribution to my community and country.
Comments