MISSION

The mission of Me Within is to assist students in Malawi who have disabilities to live fulfilling and independent lives. We do that by assisting with their educational needs, promoting social engagement, teaching independent living skills, encouraging mental and emotional wellness, and promoting a healthy home environment. 

The name ‘Me Within’ stems from the premise that every person has potential inside of them—when people dream big about the lives they want to lead they will unlock the strength and determination to ensure they achieve those dreams. 

Our goal is to unleash every young person’s potential by making sure they have the resources to work with when they are chasing their dreams and goals—we want the students to be able to excel in education, gain basic independent life skills, and actualize their aspirations. 

Me Within Inc. is a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit organization registered in Oklahoma, USA. It was founded by Christobel Mtegha-Mwafulirwa who lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma; she is originally from Malawi.

IN A NUTSHELL, THIS IS WHAT WE DO

We provide individually tailored educational assistance to special needs students enrolled in their respective schools. 

We ensure that students who have disabilities are engaged with other students and community members and have fun as they grow up. 

We teach students fundamental life skills that would assist them to live life independently.

The families of the students we are supporting are also assisted with basic needs and guidance/education on how to support their children at home and in their communities.

WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO 

We believe that every student deserves to be given free access to education, social interaction with other students/people, and an opportunity to reach their full potential. 

Furthermore, we strongly believe that people living with disabilities should be part of the community and should be encouraged and empowered to contribute to their families, communities, and country. 

EDUCATIONAL STRUGGLES FOR SPECIAL NEEDS STUDENTS IN MALAWI

Overall in Malawi, about 2.4 million children between the ages of 6 and 17 do not attend school, which is 41% of the total children of school-going age. The majority of people living with disabilities in Malawi are between the ages of 5 and 24, most of whom live in rural areas and do not attend school. Children usually enroll in primary schools when they start school and by the time they reach secondary school they drop out in high numbers. The 2018 Malawi Population Census report states that 82% of children between the ages of 14 and 17 dropped out of secondary school. 

There are so many reasons why children living with disabilities drop out of school. The main reasons that we heard when we were conducting our research are:

• No financial resources for secondary school fees, school materials, and personal needs.
• Not enough special needs teachers to support students.  
• No learning aids for special education.
• No means of transportation for day school students.

WHERE WE ARE CURRENTLY WORKING

Currently, we are working with students in the Mangochi and Monkeybay areas. We plan to extend our reach to other parts of Malawi when we have enough resources. We serve students in primary and secondary schools, who are not able to excel in their studies because of lack of resources. 

According to the National Statistical Office, Mangochi has the highest number of people living with visual impairment, deafness, and other types of disabilities in the southern region (after Lilongwe and Mzimba in the central and northern regions, respectively).

Our research on the ground showed that children living with disabilities who enroll in schools across Mangochi and the surrounding areas are usually referred to a school that has a special needs teacher—who is usually in charge of all the children at the school (for example, 26 children living with different disabilities being assisted by one or two teachers).

Also, the National Statistical Office reported that Mangochi has the lowest literacy rate in Malawi, only 53% of people who are over the age of 5 are literate, while Machinga has 57% of its population literate. 

OUR VALUES 

Integrity: Do what is right and honest.

Respect: Every human life is valued.

Promote Independence: To encourage independent living.

Empower: Every individual has a voice and must be heard.

Trust: Every child must know they are safe and that they will not be judged.

Inclusive: All are welcome. We do not discriminate on any ground.