Making Dreams a Reality – By Cydney Chikalema

My name is Cydney Chikalema from Kalupe Village in Malawi, Africa. I am the second born in a family of now only two, me and my brother. My life was not easy when I was growing up. Raised by a single mother, we were 3 children. It was difficult to get by. We depended on small scale farming for our main food source. My life got even worse when we lost our mother. I was 8 years old. This meant we had to support ourselves for everyday survival. Then, my younger sister Judith got weak and died. The loss of her crushed me. Unfortunately, my story is common for many people living in my village community. Thanks to VIP, my life has completely changed.

Villages in Partnership helped me become who I am today. They found me literary with nothing. I could not speak English and I was in primary school standard 4 (4th grade). VIP really cared and took an interest in me. Through the support of the VIP Family, I was able to go to school where I learned how to speak and read English. I continued with my education to high school with VIP still giving me full support. After high school, I was picked to study at college with VIP still by my side!

I am now studying Mass Communication and Minoring in Biblical Studies at African Bible College in Malawi. VIP is making my dreams a reality! I am the first one from my household to attend college. I am learning so much from my school that I look forward to using in the future. I hope to start the Film Making industry in Malawi and beyond. Also, to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. When I graduate from African Bible College, I am hoping to work with VIP for some time while I apply to schools to earn a Master’s Degree in Leadership Development, if the opportunity arises.

I am so grateful for everything that our friends from the USA are doing through VIP in my country, Malawi, and in particular, in my village community. I wish them well and more blessings. I would like to let them know that their support brings real change and it means so much to us. We are able to attend school, have access to clean water, become economically empowered, have access to healthcare and so much more because of your support. Thank you so much! Join us on Giving Tuesday to make more stories like mine possible! Click here to learn how you can help.