Bvumbwe Mother Group Establishes CBCC to Support Young Mothers' Return to School
- mikemkwala
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
In Bvumbwe, Thyolo, the Let Girls Learn II Project funded by Echidna Giving is bringing lasting change through the power of community action. At the center of this transformation is a passionate Mother Group that has established a Community-Based Childcare Centre (CBCC) right next to Bvumbwe Community Day Secondary School (CDSS).
The CBCC was created to help young mothers who had dropped out of school return to class, knowing their children are safe and cared for nearby. The initiative has already made it possible for several young women to resume their education, while their little ones learn and play under the supervision of two dedicated caregivers.
“We saw that many girls were failing to continue with school because they had babies and no one to look after them,” explained Oteria Matewere, Chairperson of the Bvumbwe Mother Group. “We decided to open this CBCC so that these young mothers can go back to school while their children are taken care of here. It has really brought hope to many families.”
Currently enrolling 64 children, the CBCC is not only serving the children of young mothers but the entire community. It has become the only free early childhood centre in the area, as the rest are privately owned and charge fees that many parents cannot afford. This has made the CBCC a vital support system for families who want their children to access early learning opportunities regardless of income.
With support from CRECCOM, the Mother Group received seed capital and training in local resource mobilization through Village Savings and Loans (VSL) and small business ventures. The group uses these funds to support vulnerable learners, especially girls affected by early marriage, pregnancy, or poverty. They also pay a small honoraria to the two caregivers working at the centre.
To further strengthen early childhood learning, CRECCOM provided play and learning materials and trained both the Mother Group and caregivers in making local play and learning materials using simple, locally available resources. This has made the CBCC a lively, engaging space for children to grow and learn.
Although the CBCC is currently operating from a local church, the community has already taken another big step forward. Group Village Head (GVH) Mulanje, together with the Headteacher for Bvumbwe CDSS, provided land for the construction of a permanent structure.
“When the Mother Group came to us with this idea (I am also part of the Mother Group to see that girls are supported firsthand) we saw its importance right away. This initiative is helping girls who are young mothers get another chance in education. Acquiring land was the least we could do to support such a good cause,” said GVH Mulanje.
Blessings Buleya, the ECD Coordinator for Thyolo District Social Welfare Office, commended the initiative, describing it as a model of how community-driven efforts can complement government priorities in promoting early childhood development and girls’ education.
“What the Bvumbwe Mother Group has done is truly inspiring,” he said. “They have shown that when communities take ownership, they can create inclusive spaces that benefit everyone. This CBCC is not only supporting young mothers to return to school but is also giving all children in the area a strong foundation for learning.”