From scholarship to service: Pauline’s journey back to Chipoka
Former K.I.N.D. scholar returns to her old school as a teacher and role model for girls
Each morning, when Pauline Kangola walks through the gates and corridors of Chipoka Secondary School in Salima District, she carries far more than lesson plans and exercise books.
She carries her history, her gratitude and her determination to give back to the community that shaped her to what she is today.
Years ago, Pauline was a shy girl in a faded uniform, taking her place quietly in the very classrooms where she now stands as a student-teacher from the University of Malawi, completing her teaching practice.
Born and raised in Kalembo Village in the district, she grew up with dreams far bigger than her circumstances. Yet she never imagined she would one day return to the same school—not as a student, but as a role model for those whose struggles reflect her own.
Her path changed when she received a K.I.N.D. scholarship, which covered her school fees and provided a uniform, shoes, a school bag, textbooks and sanitary pads, along with psychological support to keep her focused at the boarding school.
“The support made it possible for me to complete my education and follow my dreams as my family couldn’t afford the school costs,” she says. “It didn’t just change my life; it empowered me to inspire others in my community.”
Nearly 38,000 girls have received similar scholarships from the Kids in Need of Desks (K.I.N.D.) Fund since it was established by UNICEF and MS NOW in 2010 to improve children’s access to education in Malawi.
After scoring 18 points at Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE) level, Pauline enrolled in a Bachelor of Education degree in Geography and History at the University of Malawi
After earning strong results and a competitive college‑entry score on her Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE) exams, Pauline enrolled in a Bachelor of Education programme in Geography and History at the University of Malawi.
Now she stands at the front of those same rooms, guiding learners through challenges she understands intimately.
“I came back because this community believed in me,” she says. “Now it’s my turn to believe in the next generation.”
Her presence alone has a powerful impact. Girls who doubt themselves look at Pauline and see proof that their circumstances need not define their destiny. Pauline goes a step further to mentor girls who still face threats from early marriage, poverty and lack of support.
One such girl is 15-year-old Promise Chinthambi, now in Form Three and dreaming of becoming a surgeon. Like Pauline, she comes from a struggling family that could not keep her in school.
“I was sent back to get fees,” Promise recalls. “I stayed home for three weeks while my friends were learning.” Before she left, the headteacher encouraged her to fill out a scholarship application form.
Weeks later, she received a call that changed everything. “They said, ‘Come back to school, there is a scholarship for you.’”
According to Widress Banda Kumambala, the Headteacher of Chipoka Secondary School, Promise is one of 61 girls currently benefiting from K.I.N.D. scholarships at the school.
For girls like her, Pauline is more than a teacher — she is living proof that education can transform a life.
Despite all she has achieved, Pauline’s ambitions keep rising. She now hopes to pursue a master’s degree in education; a step she believes will sharpen her skills and expand her impact at Chipoka and beyond.
“I would like to further develop my knowledge so I can contribute even more to my school and community,” she explains.
With advanced training, she hopes to design programmes that can support girls, improve teaching quality and raise academic standards.
Pauline’s story is not only about personal success; it is about the power of opportunity, the strength of community, and the importance of giving back.
“I sincerely thank the funders of the K.I.N.D. scholarships. Their generosity made everything possible—not only for me, but many other young girls like me,” she says.
Every time Pauline stands before her students, she honours the generosity that lifted her. And each time a girl looks at her and dares to dream, her journey comes full circle.
Chipoka Secondary School didn’t just educate Pauline — it shaped her. Now she is shaping it in return.
