A School That Sparkles with Care: A Mother Group is Restoring Dignity for Girls at Mitawa II Primary School

Mitawa II Primary School Mothergroup

Before the intervention, Mitawa II Primary School in Ntata Zone, Traditional Authority Tombondia in Mulanje District, faced challenges that are all too common in rural Malawi: poor sanitation facilities, limited community ownership of school welfare, and an environment that quietly discouraged adolescent girls from fully participating in school life.

With an enrollment of 1,207 learners (610 boys and 597 girls), the pressure on existing facilities was immense. Toilets and washrooms were often unclean, changing rooms lacked proper upkeep, and conversations around girls’ needs were not always prioritized.

In a district already grappling with high rates of early marriage, economic hardship, and the recurring shocks of climate-related disasters, these gaps further deepened the vulnerability of adolescent girls and young women (AGYW), affecting their attendance, confidence, and overall well-being. 

Through the Girls Get Equal (GGE) 2.0 – Realizing Rights and Building Resilience project, implemented by Plan International Malawi in partnership with CRECCOM and Point of Progress, with financial support from the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD), a shift began to take shape.

Capacity-building trainings brought together School Management Committees (SMCs), Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs), Child Protection Workers (CPWs), and Mother Groups, equipping them with knowledge on child-friendly school environments, disaster risk management, and their collective roles in safeguarding learners.

Mary Juwawu

At Mitawa II, the Mother Group did not just listen; they rolled up their sleeves (quite literally). Under the leadership of their lively chairperson, Mary Juwawu, the group introduced a cleaning initiative that now sees them gather four times a month to scrub toilets, washrooms, and changing rooms until they gleam.

“We meet every Thursday at 3pm, not just to clean, but to talk about how we can improve the lives of our girls,” Mary says with a smile that suggests both pride and purpose.

And the impact? You can almost smell it. Freshness replaces what used to be an unspoken concern. Girls now have access to cleaner, safer sanitation facilities, contributing to improved dignity, better hygiene practices, and increased comfort during school hours.

Christina Chikaonda, a model teacher at the school, observes that the change is not only physical but behavioural. “When the environment is clean, the learners, especially girls, feel valued. They attend school more confidently,” she explains.

Every week they come.

Adding to the momentum, the Mother Group has also established a Village Savings and Loans (VSL) scheme. While modest, the initiative is already helping members support vulnerable learners with basic needs such as school uniforms. “It’s not yet at a large scale,” Mary admits with a chuckle, “but we are growing.” 

VH Mukero

Village Head Mukero, who is also an active member of the group, echoes this sense of ownership and transformation. She notes that the initiative has strengthened community responsibility towards education, breaking the long-held notion that school welfare is solely the responsibility of teachers.

Importantly, the intervention is proving sustainable. The school complements the Mother Group’s efforts by providing essential cleaning materials such as soap and water buckets, while a functional borehole ensures a reliable water supply. Together, these elements create a system that is not only working but thriving. 

In a place where challenges once seemed overwhelming, a group of determined women has turned routine cleaning into a powerful act of advocacy, dignity, and change. At Mitawa II Primary School, the floors may be sparkling, but more importantly, so are the futures of the girls who walk them every day.