The Soko Fund is proud to have supported many talented women through university education and into employment. This page has reports from some of our most recent graduates. Scroll down to watch a video of one of our most compelling stories of student success -- "Winnie's Story". There are also brief profiles of previous Soko Fund supported graduates.
I'm Dorothy Daimon, one of the Soko Fund’s beneficiaries. I was at Malawi's College of Medicine from August 2015 to November 2020, pursuing bachelor of pharmacy (Hons). I graduated with a first class. At college, I took courses in Pharmacology which is a course that mainly focuses on drugs, how they work in the body and what the body does to the drug, Pharmaceutics which deals with the manufacturing, stability, storage, Drug Management which ensures the availability of high quality drugs, at the right place, in the right time, for the right patient and at an affordable price. and Clinical Pharmacy which deals with patients in the clinical setting. I liked these courses because I knew they would help me with my career.
College has been great for me. I have learnt a lot of things, I have met new friends and most importantly I have learned how to interact with different kinds of people since in the hospital, we also meet different kinds of people.Challenges are almost everywhere. Some of my challenges were lack money for necessities and school fees, especially the first years of my college life, and an environment different from what I was used to.
I believe that my studies will help me a lot. I will be able to help my family with the necessities too, and help my siblings and relatives with education. In terms of the nation, I will help other people with their education since I know the importance of helping someone in need. I'm a living testimony to this. For me to have come this far is because God made me meet all these people, including the Soko Fund, and they helped lot throughout my educational life. I will now help SGA by contributing funds in order to enable more girls to achieve their goals and I will share my knowledge where necessary to help in developing SGA
Finally, I would like to thank the Soko Fund. Without your support, I couldn't have reached this far. I hope you will continue doing this for the other girls out there who are in need of educational support. May God bless you and enlarge your territory for the great work you have done in my life.
College has been great for me. I have learnt a lot of things, I have met new friends and most importantly I have learned how to interact with different kinds of people since in the hospital, we also meet different kinds of people.Challenges are almost everywhere. Some of my challenges were lack money for necessities and school fees, especially the first years of my college life, and an environment different from what I was used to.
I believe that my studies will help me a lot. I will be able to help my family with the necessities too, and help my siblings and relatives with education. In terms of the nation, I will help other people with their education since I know the importance of helping someone in need. I'm a living testimony to this. For me to have come this far is because God made me meet all these people, including the Soko Fund, and they helped lot throughout my educational life. I will now help SGA by contributing funds in order to enable more girls to achieve their goals and I will share my knowledge where necessary to help in developing SGA
Finally, I would like to thank the Soko Fund. Without your support, I couldn't have reached this far. I hope you will continue doing this for the other girls out there who are in need of educational support. May God bless you and enlarge your territory for the great work you have done in my life.
I am Keisha Nyirongo and I studied a Bachelors of Arts in Business Communication at The Malawi Polytechnic from 2015 to 2020. My courses included Public Relations, Marketing, Sales Communication, Behavior Change, Communication, and Communication for Development. My college experience was fun, I learnt a lot of things both academic and non-academic. I learnt how to challenge myself to always do better. The biggest challenge I faced in college was expensive accommodation because I was given accommodation in the school hostel for only one year.
My studies will benefit my family because I can now pursue a career in the marketing sector and be able to help improve their lives. In the same way, the country's economy will benefit from my contribution and I will be able to help its development. Furthermore, I will help SGA in reaching out to those young girls who are in need so they can pursue their career paths.
I would like to say 'Thank You' to the Soko Fund for giving me this opportunity. I really appreciate the support bestowed upon me because it has helped me reach this far.
My studies will benefit my family because I can now pursue a career in the marketing sector and be able to help improve their lives. In the same way, the country's economy will benefit from my contribution and I will be able to help its development. Furthermore, I will help SGA in reaching out to those young girls who are in need so they can pursue their career paths.
I would like to say 'Thank You' to the Soko Fund for giving me this opportunity. I really appreciate the support bestowed upon me because it has helped me reach this far.
I am Elizabeth Jackson, and I was admitted to The Malawi Polytechnic in 2015. During my second year in 2016, I was privileged to be become one of the beneficiaries of Soko Fund, that supported me until I graduated on 28 April, 2021.
Among the courses I took, I especially liked Production Technology (metal work, wood work and plastics) and AutoCAD. AutoCAD was especially my foundation subject since am interested in architectural and graphic designs. To that end, if all goes well, I wish to do a Masters in Architecture.
My college life was very hard but in an interesting way. Thank God I never worried about tuition fees as SOKO had me covered. The best part of it all, despite everything, is how I want to use my education to benefit my family and the nation at large. I am planning to open big workshops across the country where Technical Education students can get more practical studies than they can now. I also want to use what money I earn to get my siblings a better education. I pledge myself to the SGA so that it should benefit a lot.
Finally, I would like to express my sincere heartfelt appreciations to SOKO Fund. I am where I am because of your generous hand, among many other beneficiaries. I pray that God increases you.
Among the courses I took, I especially liked Production Technology (metal work, wood work and plastics) and AutoCAD. AutoCAD was especially my foundation subject since am interested in architectural and graphic designs. To that end, if all goes well, I wish to do a Masters in Architecture.
My college life was very hard but in an interesting way. Thank God I never worried about tuition fees as SOKO had me covered. The best part of it all, despite everything, is how I want to use my education to benefit my family and the nation at large. I am planning to open big workshops across the country where Technical Education students can get more practical studies than they can now. I also want to use what money I earn to get my siblings a better education. I pledge myself to the SGA so that it should benefit a lot.
Finally, I would like to express my sincere heartfelt appreciations to SOKO Fund. I am where I am because of your generous hand, among many other beneficiaries. I pray that God increases you.
My name is Lusungu Mtawali . I studied physiotherapy at the College of Medicine in Malawi from 2015 August to 2020 November. We were delayed because of Covid-19 as we were supposed to be done by May 2020.
The courses I especially during my study were Pediatrics and Musculo-skeletal Physiotherapy. I love children generally and the act of making a difference at the start of someone else’s life is rewarding to me. I loved Anatomy, and I would like to further my studies in that field.
My college experience was good and at times quite challenging. In my early years, before Soko Fund support, tuition fees were an issue which affected my studies. I had stress and I had to move around looking for someone to help me financially. My brother helped me for the first two years, but it was a struggle since he was also had to look after his family, my single mother and my other brother, who was at Bunda, a college too. When Soko came along, my life was made easy for I knew I was covered for tuition fees. My classes went well, no stress. The money which you gave us as pocket money also played quite a big role. I used it to buy a phone which I used during online learning, and am using now for communication.
My studies will benefit my family firstly because I am a role model to my nieces and nephews, and secondly because I can join hands with my brother in helping my mother. The nation has gained a physiotherapist who will help in dealing with different patients who needs my expertise. Lastly to myself, I have now self confidence, and it has given me independency. To the SGA, I will help it grow by subscribing to it, and joining different activities that happen there such as general meetings and needy students who are in the position that I was.
To the Soko Fund, you brightened my days at CoM, you gave me a reason to study with a smile, you have made me shine. With all these only God can reward you. I love you. Thank you.
The courses I especially during my study were Pediatrics and Musculo-skeletal Physiotherapy. I love children generally and the act of making a difference at the start of someone else’s life is rewarding to me. I loved Anatomy, and I would like to further my studies in that field.
My college experience was good and at times quite challenging. In my early years, before Soko Fund support, tuition fees were an issue which affected my studies. I had stress and I had to move around looking for someone to help me financially. My brother helped me for the first two years, but it was a struggle since he was also had to look after his family, my single mother and my other brother, who was at Bunda, a college too. When Soko came along, my life was made easy for I knew I was covered for tuition fees. My classes went well, no stress. The money which you gave us as pocket money also played quite a big role. I used it to buy a phone which I used during online learning, and am using now for communication.
My studies will benefit my family firstly because I am a role model to my nieces and nephews, and secondly because I can join hands with my brother in helping my mother. The nation has gained a physiotherapist who will help in dealing with different patients who needs my expertise. Lastly to myself, I have now self confidence, and it has given me independency. To the SGA, I will help it grow by subscribing to it, and joining different activities that happen there such as general meetings and needy students who are in the position that I was.
To the Soko Fund, you brightened my days at CoM, you gave me a reason to study with a smile, you have made me shine. With all these only God can reward you. I love you. Thank you.
Winnie's StoryWinnie Mkandawire, one of our Graduates, shares the inspiring story of her time as a Soko Scholar, and beyond.
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Agness Lakudzala comes from Lilongwe in central Malawi. She held a Soko Fund Scholarship from 2008 to 2011 and graduated with BSc in Medical Laboratory Sciences at Malawi College of Medicine. After graduation, she worked as a laboratory scientist at Zomba Central Hospital before attending Tohoku University in Japan for her Masters. Currently a pre-PhD Intern at the Malawi Liverpool Welcome Trust in Blantyre, once Agness enrolls in a PhD program, she will focus on the synergistic relationship between TB and HIV. Her long term goal is to be an independent researcher in Africa, and contribute to the control of HIV and TB pandemics.
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Karen Mhango comes from Mzuzu in northern Malawi. She held a Soko Fund Scholarship from 2014 to 2018, and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Arts (Education) from Mzuzu University. While a student she worked as an analyst and translator for the Centre for Youth and Development, and since graduation has been teaching at Masambiro Secondary School.
Winnie Chimwala comes from Mwamadi Village in southern Malawi. She held a Soko Fund Scholarship from 2016 to 2019, and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Horticulture at Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR). Since graduation, Winnie has been working as an intern at Bvumbwe Research Station.
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Veronica Eve Domingo comes from Suya Village near Blantyre in southern Malawi. She held a Soko Fund Scholarship from 2012 to 2016, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts Humanities Degree (English major) from University of Malawi, Chancellor College. During her studies, she qualified to work as an intern at Chanco Community Radio. She was a volunteer TV presenter for a youth programme at Mibawa Television, and now works part time as TV presenter.
Mariana Chirwa comes from Tambala village in Nkhotakota District in the lake shore area. She held a Soko Fund Scholarship from 2013 to 2017, and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Forestry at Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR). Since graduation, Mariana has been working as an intern at Forest Research Institute of Malawi (FRIM) in Zomba.
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