Ability Mwale, aged 16 went to Nshinso School but dropped out in 2018 when she became pregnant. She was subjected to a lot of stigma by her fellow pupils and there was little support from the Father of the child. After she developed strong feelings towards a return to school, backed up by the School Matron spelling out a re-entry policy to her and her parents she returned to Grade 7 in 2019 and now in Grade 8 is hoping to be a social worker. 

​

Notes:

​

One of the of the issues for girls in economically challenged communities is that they can be married off too early. Part of the role of the Community Based Volunteers is to discourage families through the anti HIV and AIDS messages. Both early marriage and early pregnancies are some reasons why girls leave school early. Head teachers and senior members of communities have been encouraging a return to school for these young girls and for boys, who leave early to look after other people’s cattle.

Ability is clearly happy to be back at school!