By Tiyese Monjeza:
First Lady Gertrude Mutharika, through the Beautify Malawi (Beam) Trust, has donated a laptop and other items worth K5 million to Joseph Nenani, a third-year student at the University of Malawi (Unima).
The donation follows Nenani’s widely shared social media post in which he wrote a suicide note over financial difficulties.
He had accumulated loans of more than K500,000 which he was struggling to repay.
Beam Trust officials visited Nenani in Zomba on Wednesday and presented him with food and other essential items.
Beam Trust Board Chairperson Dingiswayo Jere said the donation was intended to encourage Nenani to continue with his studies.
“The First Lady always has the education of the youth at heart. She was touched by Joseph’s story and responded by making this donation to ensure he completes his studies,” Jere said.
He also urged others to follow the First Lady’s example by supporting people in need.
Nenani, who is studying for a Bachelor of Education degree majoring in Social Studies, said the support would help him focus on his studies again.
“I was hopeless and under stress after accumulating loans amounting to more than K500,000 which I failed to repay. This affected my studies and I am glad for this support, which has come at the right time,” he said.
The donated items included detergent, crates of eggs, soya pieces, cooking oil and maize flour.