Inspired by She Creates Change, bravery blossoms at a primary school in Malawi

By Esther Muthoga
Program Manager
Room to Read Partnership and Expansion

A heartwarming bond between two sisters, Rose and Faida, blossomed into a story of bravery following exposure to She Creates Change life skills sessions.

Rose, a Grade 3 learner, and Faida, a Grade 7 learner, would walk hand-in-hand through dusty paths in their village, laughing and enjoying each other's company, returning home from school. What made their daily journey special was the wisdom Faida shared from her participation in the She Creates Change life skills club. Faida would excitedly recount the lessons she learned from the She Creates Change stories, sparking curiosity and courage in Rose's young heart.

Faida shared stories of Keya, who found strength in the leopard's traits — fearlessness, resilience and determination — reporting abuse and protecting herself despite her family's insistence that she remain quiet. She told her sister about Yashika, a girl who bravely defended herself against bullies on her walk to and from school, and called on other girls in her community to do the same. 

Rose listened intently, and though she didn't know it then, the lessons she was learning would soon be put to the test. One evening, Rose was sent to buy drinks from a local shop owned by Brian (name changed). The simple errand turned harrowing when Brian approached her inappropriately, grabbing her hand and making sexually explicit suggestions. In that moment of danger, Rose remembered Faida’s stories of Keya and Yashika. Drawing strength from them, Rose bit down on the man's hand, clenched over her own, escaped, and fled to her sister.




Together, the sisters took action. They approached their village chief, reported the incident to their parents and informed their Room to Read life skills club facilitator. The incident was investigated. Brian was questioned and later penalized according to the village rules. In the days that followed, a community-wide awareness meeting was organized, and the village chief spoke on the importance of protecting children and preventing abuse.

This is the power of knowledge, of sisterhood, of storytelling and of life skills, like confidence and courage. Change begins with one voice, one story, one act of bravery, inspiring others to advocate for their rights, their safety and their futures. 

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