Post-Secondary Transitions

Advancing Girls’ Education in Africa pursues opportunities to help our graduates continue their learning beyond secondary school.

AGE Africa is dedicated to the success of girls in Malawi in secondary school and beyond. Many AGE scholars pursue higher education via universities, teacher training colleges or nursing schools. Many of these opportunities are subsidized by the Malawian Government and can lead to direct employment after graduation.

AGE Africa supports all of our students who qualify for continuing education through the application and admissions processes. For these girls, we provide support in the following ways:

• University entrance exam coaching
• Help with admission applications
• Applications to private and government sponsored scholarships
• Small living stipends for transport costs

Idah’s Story

Idah Savala, an AGE alumnae, was our first scholar to graduate from a university. She is now among the 1% of women in Malawi with a university degree.

With a degree in Media for Community Development from the University of Malawi, Idah plans to give back to her village. She sees herself as a positive role model for other girls in her village. When Idah visits her hometown she speaks to the young girls in the community and talks to them about her experience and the importance of an education.

Income generating activities

AGE Africa also supports girls who do not go on to university. We do this by providing advising during their job searches or by supporting their tuition costs while repeating their Form 4 year. 40% of our alumnae are enrolled in higher education institutions or currently preparing applications (compared to just 11% of female graduates nationwide) and 15% are engaged in wage-based employment or income generating activities.

Diana comes from a family of six and was raised by her single mother who works as a farmer. As an AGE Africa scholar, Diana attended St. Mary’s Secondary School, where she graduated at the top of her class and received a cash award of 20,000 kwacha (or $40) for her high marks. Diana used her award to start a small business that sold mobile phone airtime and saved the money she earned for college. With the support of AGE Africa, Diana continues to pursue her dream of becoming a pharmacist at the College of Medicine. She hopes to serve as a role model for other girls and to encourage them to work hard to achieve their goals. Diana is featured in the AGE Africa video produced for International Day of the Girl by the Girls’ Opportunity Alliance that can be viewed here. Diana is also featured in her lab in the header photo for this web page.