On Thursday, 30th October 2025, YESI held two youth mentorship sessions in Salima District at Yambe and Kaputu Community Day Secondary Schools (CDSS), reaching a combined total of over 530 students in a single day.

At Yambe CDSS, 130 students gathered for a lively morning session focused on academic discipline, personal growth, and resilience. Mentors encouraged learners to stay committed to their education despite challenges such as poverty and long travel distances, common barriers for many students in rural Malawi.

Speaking during the session, Yambe CDSS Head Teacher Charles Galamala highlighted that exposure remains the greatest challenge leading many students in and around his school to drop out.

“Exposure is the greatest challenge that forces students at and around our school to drop out,” said Mr. Galamala. “These mentorship sessions are helping our learners see education as a path to independence and responsibility. We truly value YESI’s continued presence in our school.”

Tackling Motivation and Role-Model Gaps at Kaputu CDSS

In the afternoon, the YESI team visited Kaputu CDSS, where over 400 students participated in an engaging session centered on determination, self-confidence, and the importance of positive role models.

Among the participants was Veronika, a 17-year-old Form 3 student, who shared a heartfelt reflection that captured the essence of YESI’s work.

“Most of us lack positive role models and motivation,” Veronika said. “When YESI brings college graduates to speak with us and awards the best students, it helps us see that success is possible — and that education is the way there.”

Her words resonated with many learners, reinforcing how exposure to positive examples can inspire focus and ambition even in challenging circumstances.

Rewarding Academic Excellence

Beyond the mentorship sessions, YESI also took an extra step by distributing exercise books, writing materials, mathematical sets, and calculators to the top four performing students in each class from the previous academic year. Through this effort, the initiative serves as both a practical and symbolic gesture, celebrating excellence while encouraging consistency and showing students that hard work is both noticed and rewarded.

As a result, teachers and students alike applauded the move, noting that even small incentives can spark big motivation, particularly in schools where resources remain limited.

Looking Ahead

Reflecting on the sessions, YESI Team Leader, Samuel Malasa Banda, reaffirmed the organisation’s ongoing commitment to empowering Malawi’s youth through mentorship and education support.

“Our goal has always been to make education not just accessible, but meaningful,” said Samuel. “When young people see their peers succeed, when they meet graduates who came from schools just like theirs, they begin to believe that they too can achieve great things. That belief, that spark, is what the YES Initiative is here to ignite.”

As YESI continues its work across Salima, the Initiative remains focused on breaking educational barriers, building resilience, and empowering Malawi’s next generation through mentorship, support, and opportunity.

Since 2017, YESI has worked to strengthen education outcomes and youth development in Salima District. Guided by a vision to ensure that no young person is left behind, YESI provides tuition support, learning materials, and mentorship to students across both public and private secondary schools.

Support Our Work

To support YESI’s mentorship and scholarship programs, visit www.yesinitiativemw.org  or contact us at info@yesinitiativemw.org

Or make a donation on our crowdfunding platform, Go Fund Me: