Frank Mkwanda, a former street connected kid popularly known as “Ana Amasikini” in Malawi, has an interesting tale to tell.
For many years, Frank, now 21, was one of the notorious street-connected children living in Lilongwe city.
He has told ProjectM in an interview that he left his home, Kachere Village in Traditional Authority Kachere in Dedza, few years ago when things got rough after his parents died.
“Leaving home meant leaving school altogether because out in the streets, life is all about making ends meet,” said Frank.
But Frank’s life turned around when he was enrolled back in primary school at Lilongwe boys primary school, thanks to support from One Step Foundation, an organisation that looks after the interests of street-connected children in Malawi.
Frank managed to pass Primary School Leaving Certificate of Education Examinations with flying colours and got selected to Dzenza Secondary School.
“In secondary school, I was also one of the brightest students and I managed to pass Malawi School Certificate of Education exams with flying colours as well,” said Frank.
In 2021, he was selected to pursue Bachelor’s degree in Education Sciences at the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR) where he is now in third year.
“And just like that, my life turned around, thanks to the support I was given by One Step Foundation,” he said.
Frank, now a university student, hopes to be a role model for street-connected children who feel abandoned.
His vision is to become one of the country’s accomplished academics and business person.
One Step Foundation executive director Moses Mwalabu, a former street-connected child himself, has hailed Frank, saying he has risen from a predicament where most would have failed to rise.
“Street life is bad because you literally have no food, shelter or even anyone to depend on and surviving that and becoming a university student is no mean achievement,” said Mwalabu.
Secretary for education in the Ministry of Education, Associate Professor Mangani Katundu has since promised to support Frank together with other street connected children who feel abandoned.
