The 2025 political climate has gotten off to a shaky start. Here’s how it’s affecting the students sponsored by Story Time, and what we can do to help.
Female students gathering outside of Nsondole CDSS
We’re sticking to our core services
With the current U.S. administration disbanding USAID, crucial funding in Malawi has been ripped away from an already struggling economy, threatening the livelihoods of our students at Nsondole CDSS. We have been in similar situations though, and have persevered to the best of our abilities. Back in 2020, during the throws of the pandemic, several programs pulled their funding from Nsondole CDSS. Story Time was one of the only programs that stayed, striving to empower students while maintaining community partnerships during a global pandemic.
Things are a bit different this time around. The disbanding of USAID ensures further food insecurity and increases the severity of preventable health risks that will have ripple effects felt for generations.
What can Story Time and its generous donors do? While we cannot change some things, we can double our efforts and give these students a sense of normalcy during an uncertain time.
What does this look like?
With Malawi’s inflation rate rising to 32-35% during these last couple of months, securing food for our students, providing materials for reusable pads, school supplies and covering school fees has been, and will be, our greatest priority.
Inflation will be a challenge, as this means typical staple foods, like maize, costs a family 50% more than it did last year. All of Story Time’s beneficiaries (students and their families) are identified by the community as being in great need of assistance; without help, these students are constantly on the brink of abandoning their education and their families’ going hungry.
How can we make this happen?
Generous donors like you have kept us afloat during the most dire of times. We ask you, once again, to provide just a few dollars to help our students.
If you haven’t already, you can sign up for a recurring donation on our website, at Recurring Monthly Donations, or a one time donation, at One Time Donation. Every dollar matters. No donation is too small, and your continued support is something we, and these students, are deeply grateful for.