Nobel Laureate Malala marks birthday by investing in girls’ education in Tanzania
Malala Yousafzai, the executive director of the Malala Fund, poses for a photo with her father and students from Mnyakongo Secondary School, located in Kongwa District, Dodoma.
Dodoma. Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai has marked her 28th birthday by facilitating a donation of over $3 million (more than Sh 7 billion) to help Tanzanian girls who dropped out of school—often due to teenage pregnancies—return and continue their education.
Speaking in Kongwa District, Dodoma Region, Malala said she chose Tanzania as the place to mark her special day by visiting girls who have returned to school through Malala Fund initiatives.
She called on parents and guardians to support efforts to keep girls in the classroom.
“We have seen that in Tanzania, many girls drop out of school due to various challenges, including teenage pregnancies and the long distances they must travel. Through the Malala Fund, we partner with local organizations like Msichana Initiative to help them return to school and fulfill their dreams,” said Malala.
She emphasized that education is a fundamental right for every girl and urged communities to stop stigmatizing girls who become pregnant, instead helping them return to school and build better futures.
Kongwa District Commissioner Mayeka Simon Mayeka noted ongoing challenges, including some parents withdrawing their daughters from school and sending them to cities for domestic work, which leaves them vulnerable to early marriage or pregnancy.
“When a girl is denied education, she becomes a burden later on. We urge the community to stop viewing girls as sources of income and instead help them achieve their dreams through education,” said Mayeka.
The executive director of Msichana Initiative, Rebecca Gyumi, and a Malala Fund partner, said their work has helped nearly 600 girls return to school, offering both financial and psychological support.
“Challenges still exist, especially for girls who already have children. There’s a shortage of child-friendly school environments, such as childcare and nutrition services. But we will continue working with the government and partners to ensure no one is left behind,” said Gyumi.
One of the beneficiaries, Esther Michael, described the chance to return to school as a “new light” in her life and promised to work hard to achieve her goals.
