Unwrap Dreams: Meet Monica

When Monica Kamphokoto stepped into her classroom at Chitenje Secondary School in Malawi, she wasn’t just taking classes—she was breaking barriers.  At 17, Monica is the first girl in her family and, in fact, her rural community, to graduate from secondary school, a milestone that fills her with hope and pride. Her favorite subject, English, fuels her dream of becoming a teacher. “It’s the most popular language in the world,” she says

Monica (center) doing group work with her classmates at Chitenje Secondary School

But Monica’s journey was anything but smooth. Her father, a prominent member of the community, passed away when she was just nine years old, leaving her mother, Magret, to raise six children alone through subsistence farming and pieceworks (being employed by other land owners). The loss of her father marked the beginning of financial hardships. During her freshman year, Monica was sent home from school for unpaid fees. “I felt like there was no hope,” she recalls. To keep her enrolled, her mother sold the family’s oxcart, one of their last assets, but that would only be enough for one year

Monica reads to her brothers and sisters from her school lessons

Fortunately, before the start of Monica’s sophomore year, , Monica was selected for sponsorship through The Sonder Project’s ‘Education is Power’ program bringing great relief to Monica and her mother. With her school fees covered, and a living stipend and resources provided Monica could focus on her studies.

Thanks to ‘Education is Power’, she has just finished her final year of high school, and with the help of Sonder staff, she is now in the process of preparing her application to attend a teacher’s college to earn a degree in education. Beyond teaching, she envisions starting a unique farming business, inspired by her classes on methods like mushroom cultivation.

Monica (center) with Sonder Project staff members Beria (left) and Jervas (right)

Magret sees her daughter’s education as the key to a brighter future. “Most girls her age get pregnant and married before finishing school.  But education is the only way out of poverty,” she explains. 

Monica at home with her mother, Magret

When reflecting on her journey, Monica beams with gratitude. “I want my sponsor to know that their support has changed my life. They should believe in my dreams, because I will achieve them.”  With hope, determination, and the right support, Monica is proving that education truly is power – for her community, her family, and herself.

Monica (third from left) socializing with her classmates at Chitenje Secondary School