By Pemphero Malimba:

While many women lose hope after the death of their husbands, one woman has shown that all is not lost in such circumstances.

Ninety-four-year-old Alice Kavwenje, from Kwendakwina Village in Traditional Authority (TA) Chilooko, Ntchisi District, managed to raise and educate her children single-handedly through farming.

Kavwenje became a widow in 1982, after the death of her husband, Jonathan.

Left with the responsibility of caring for their eleven children, she relied on farming as her primary source of income.

“I grew maize, groundnuts and soya beans, which I sold at the nearest Admarc market. I used the proceeds to pay school fees for my children,” Kavwenje explains.

At the time of her husband’s death, many of her children were attending secondary school, where education required fees to be paid.

“I realised that if I sent my children to school, they would one day become employed and financially independent. So, I made sure they remained in school and completed their education,” she says.

Although farming provided some financial support, there were still challenges.

“Sometimes it was difficult to raise enough for school fees. Occasionally, my brother would help pay the fees, as it was becoming increasingly difficult to find funds.

“Raising girls on my own was also challenging. I am grateful to their grandmother, who also encouraged them to focus on their studies,” she adds.

Kavwenje ensured her children, who were studying at schools such as Dedza Secondary School, Stella Maris Secondary School, Likuni Girls and Lilongwe Girls Secondary School, received the best education possible.

Some even went on to attend the Malawi Polytechnic, now the Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences, and nursing colleges.

Among her children are five accountants, two engineers, two teachers and a nurse.

“I feel proud to see my children educated and financially independent. Now, my children support me financially, providing for my daily needs and helping with farming,” the nonagenarian says.

Kavwenje believes that women have a critical role to play in their children’s education.

She insists that women “must stand firm”.

“They need to ensure their children are attending school and doing well in their studies. Children should not be idling at home while their peers are at school. Education is key to standing on your own,” she says.

Kavwenje is eager to inspire other children and women across the country.

“I am ready to share my experiences. Women need to understand the importance of education for their children and children need to recognise that education is vital for their future,” she says.

One of her daughters, Esther Kavwenje Nyirenda, who now works at Kamuzu Central Hospital in Lilongwe, recalls fee