Annie’s Story
HomeAID for Africa is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. All donations are tax deductible.
Excerpts from a letter of appreciation from Annie Majamanda,
a Global AIDS Interfaith Alliance (GAIA) nursing scholar,
October 2006.
I am Annie Majamanda, born on the 11th of April, 1984. My mum died in 1991 [when Annie was 7], and Dad in 1994 [when Annie was 10].
Primary Education: I call this a dark age in my life. It was a period when basic resources were so scarce. Life at school was not easy without a dress, without a skirt or blouse, but only rags. My friends could laugh at me, teachers could molest me. A girl child’s life is so difficult, but God is gracious, abounding in love and led me through, for the problem was food and clothing, but not intelligence.
Secondary Education: Life at secondary school was so harsh. Where to get fees, where to get a uniform, pocket money, these made my days miserable. I went in search of piece work at teacher’s homes, washing their clothes to raise money for fees. When I could not raise the money, the school would chase me from the campus. But I stuck around, peeking at my classmate’s notes and trying to make sense of them.
When I got to my village, I could not eat, only thinking, “If I were at school…” When I saw the lights from the school, I would enter my grass thatched room and start weeping. But nobody was to blame, for the aunt I lived with was a single lady in her 80s.
One day, I decided enough was enough. I asked the headmaster to provide me a letter of introduction so that I could go into offices and negotiate. “Give me money for school fees, and I will work for you during the holidays.” My friends laughed at me. My eyes were always full of tears, for shame, ridicule, and oppression were always around me, a poor girl.
One thing I desired from the Lord, to make me pass my final year exams and go to University. An NGO worker helped me pay the fees for entrance exams, which I passed exceptionally. I was selected to pursue a BSC Degree in Nursing at Kamuzu College of Nursing. Instead of being happy, I was worried about where to get the funds. I engaged in embroidery, selling it and getting a little money for my upkeep. Life was too hard, for men wanted to take advantage of my status but I refused. I felt equally important as anyone else.
Until GAIA came and shared the burden, I am not longer the object of scorn; I am no longer the victim of evil men’s desires. Now I function as anybody else with the upkeep allowance I get from the scholarship.
* $1200 pays for tuition, supplies, and a living stipend
for a nursing student for a year.
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