Secondary school education for vulnerable students
The project aims to empower impoverished communities in the Kasungu District of Malawi by supporting the secondary school education of 50 students, 60% of whom are female. These students come from National and District Schools (70%) and Community Day Secondary Schools (30%), and will receive financial assistance for tuition, fees, supplies, uniforms, and other resources. Additionally, the project provides mentorship through monthly sessions with Sonder Project staff, academic support by tracking progress and offering tutoring, and life skills enrichment through an annual camp with workshops on personal development, reproductive health, career exploration, leadership training, and study practices.
Founded in 2015, The Sonder Project is an American NGO. Its mission is to empower impoverished communities through high-impact, sustainable development.
Type
EducationDuration
August 2025 - July 2029Location
Kasungu / MalawiWith whom
The Sonder Project
Website
www.thesonderproject.org
Malawi
Population
18.6 million (2017)
Per Capita Income
USD 320/year (2017)
Poverty rate *
52% (2016)
Literacy rate
62% (2016)
Human Development Index
171st out of 189 countries (2018)
Malawi has been suffering from a deteriorating political environment since 2010, which has led to a weaker economy after five consecutive years of solid growth. Over 50% of the country's population lives below the poverty line and a quarter of the population is extremely poor. 37% of children under the age of five are suffering from stunting which hinders brain development, school performance, immunity and health. The country’s social indicators have nevertheless shown some improvements, notably a drop in HIV prevalence from 14% to 9%. Malawi is prone to natural disasters, primarily related to climate variability and change, which weakens its development.
Sources: World Food Program, UNICEF, World Bank, 2016 Human Development Report, Human Development Indices and Indicators (2018 Statistical Update)
*The percentage of the population living below the national poverty line.