USM group raises school in Malawi

The University of Southern Mississippi’s College Panhellenic Council has partnered with the University of Indiana on the ground-breaking and initial construction of a new school in Malawi, Africa. Megan Wilkinson, assistant director of Fraternity and Sorority Life, and four other USM students joined the UI contingent for an official ground-breaking in Kasiya Village in late May. For more than two weeks, the USM group contributed to the initial construction. The school, which will house students in grades 1-8, is expected to be completed by year’s end. Malawi, located in SE Africa, is among the world's least developed countries and a population of about 18M. There are too many children desiring an education, but few locations to host them, according to Wilkinson. “The people there are filled with such curiosity and have big dreams … despite having so many obstacles in their way,” she continued. “Breaking the cycle of poverty and illiteracy will allow the entire community to develop.” Physical school buildings provide shelter for students to learn in a consistent environment. “(E)ducation is the number one way to empower people,” said Hattiesburg native and speech pathology major Callie Crider. But, Wilkinson left with an “unfinished feeling.” These students will not have an easy access to a high school education. There is more work beyond the raising of a school structure that needs to be done, Wilkinson exclaimed. (Source: USM 06/26/19)