Girls, Has The Pandemic Made You Think Of Quitting School? Call Your Mentor
In Malawi, one of the world's poorest countries, counselors guide girls as they face tough choices during the coronavirus crisis — from giving up on their education to opting for early marriage.
In early May, about two months after schools across Malawi closed because of COVID-19, Eliza Chikoti received a phone call from a former student: a bright 15-year-old girl who always got good grades.
"She called me and she said, 'Madame, I'm thinking of getting married,' " says Chikoti.
Chikoti, 24, works for Camfed, an international organization that supports girls' education. Part of her work is mentoring girls in the town of Mwanza — offering them support and guidance in their studies.
The student's message was discouraging. "I was like, why are you opting to go into marriage?" says Chikoti.
The girl explained that she was living
