Help a Malawian student with his university fees

This is Caleb, he used to be a chef at the lodge I'm currently staying in on the shores of Lake Malawi. He left his job to pursue his dream of a university degree which he hopes will improve his chances of a good job and a good living. However, university tuition fees are relatively high in Malawi, and no help is available with funding so this puts the dream of university education out of the reach of many ordinary citizens. Caleb has already successfully completed his first year and is well into his second year now, despite having been on the verge of dropping out due to his financial situation.

gofundme is not available in Malawi, and so to help him raise funds I have decided to set up this page on his behalf. The funds will eventually be withdrawn by me and I will pass them directly onto Caleb.

Caleb has two years of study remaining after this current year. His tuition fees are close to £1000/year. He also has to cover the cost of all his books and study materials and und his own living costs (food, rent etc). I have no idea how much I will be able to raise by sharing this page but any sum would be helpful in preventing him from having to abandon his studies so please consider making a donation to help him towards his goal. I am hoping to help him pay the 450,000 Kwacha (£450) fees for his final semester in year two of his studies. 

Here is his story in his own words:

I am Caleb Binwell Mwafongo a young man aged 33 and married. I am a Malawian by nationality from Karonga district near town. I have two sons and a daughter. I lost my father when I was in standard 7, I have been brought up by my mother. At first I was selected to go to Chilumba secondary school in Karonga but I failed to continue due to financial hiccups that have locked our family, then I had to drop out school. After a year in the village, I decided to join a community day secondary school where, even though the school fees were reasonable, It was a challenge to find the necessary money. I had to do some piece work and cultivate vegetables around going to school, thereafter I could find a little for fees and some to use in our family this resulted for me getting poor grades in my Malawi school certificate of education (MSCE). Now I had no other option than joining a technical college called MIRRACLE Technical College which was helping the orphans and disadvantaged youth by training them in vocational skills. I chose Hotel and Catering of which I took 2years and 6month training but without a certificate. After that I had a chance to work at Mayoka Village Beach Lodge where I was working as a head chef for 6 solid years. While working I decided to go back to school because it was paining me seeing my friends progressing, and I knew that education is a paramount of success in life.

After making my decision of going back to school I went to request my bosses (Catherine & Gary) to allow me to go back to school, while still working, of which they kindly accepted. I started in form three (penultimate year of secondary school, equivalent to UK sixth form) with the help of my bosses I wrote my exams in 2016 which I passed well. I managed to win a place at the one of the public Universities in Malawi- Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR) based at city campus where I am now, having left my job at th e lodge in order to commence my university studies. Due to financial problems I struggle much to find money for my school fees and other responsibilities that I have since in our family I have my younger brother who is in form 4 and my sister in form 3 all these need my help in their studies, but since I left work, I meet with a lot of problems and due to the university time table it does not allow me to do small businesses to source founds. Some of the school expenses are as following; the tuition fee per year is 890,000.00 Malawian kwacha which is 1186.67 US$ (934 GBP) . Apart from this the University does not provide the following; Accommodation, Meals, funds for research project, stationaries and transportation.

Right now I am a second year student, pursuing a BSc. in Agriculture Extension which is for four years of study, I am very interested to study this program because I like farming practices and I know that agriculture sector is a core for the Economy of our country.  Without food security among farmers there will be famine leading to high poverty level, and agriculture is a source of tax to government after having a surplus, farmers will be able to sell and buy commodities.  Not only that, it also creates job opportunity for others. while proving and imparting skills and knowledge to farmers I also have a dream of reaching up to a Professor in my career. This study is very important to me as well as my family, I will be able to impart them with innovation in agriculture which will help them to have sufficient food and be able to find their daily needs, similarly with me apart from the best knowledge and skills that I am obtaining at the university this shall also help me to able to educate and support my children in all areas.   

Finally, I would be very glad if my concern and wish would reach your favourable consideration so that I become a blessing to my family, community and nation at large.