On 14th August 2024, our girl Vanessa Pheluwa, a promising Malawian student-athlete, embarked on a life-altering cultural exchange journey to Morocco. A 15-year-old adolescent girl whose dream to travel abroad was far-reaching was over the moon as set her foot at the airport. Selected by the National Youth Council after a rigorous application process, her participation in the program was a testament to her dedication, academic excellence and unwavering leadership skills.
Morocco, with its rich history and vibrant culture, had long captivated Vanessa’s imagination. The cultural exchange provided her with a unique opportunity to engage herself in a completely different way of life, exploring Moroccan customs, traditions, and values. Beyond sightseeing, the program aimed to foster intercultural understanding through interactions with local youths.
Aside from exploring busy cities, ancient ruins, and breathtaking landscapes, enjoying the delicious flavours of Moroccan cuisine and experiencing traditional music and customs, Vanessa’s lifechanging lesson is that the Moroccan government passed a law to protect all girls from getting married before 18 and that all girls are also protected from dropping out of school. “I want to be the first person in my family to go to college and I will plan to utilize the scholarships which the Moroccan government provides to Malawians,” she explained. “My sisters didn’t even make it to secondary school because they failed exams and later got pregnant but with the scholarship and opportunities I get from MATCH Foundation, I want to be different than my sisters, I have been encouraged seeing other girls like me from poor backgrounds going to college” she added.
Vanessa’s experience in Morocco was transformative, not only enriching her life but also contributing to the broader goal of fostering cultural understanding between Malawi and Morocco. As she returned home, she carried with her a newfound appreciation for diversity and a desire to encourage fellow girls and setting higher goals for college and a better life for her future.
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