Charming and eloquent, confident and determined, a pair of guest speakers captivated those in attendance for the Rotary Club of Sooke luncheon on November 5.

The presentation was co-delivered by Memory Chazeza – a resident of Malawi, and Christie Johnson – a Canadian who teaches at Lester B. Pearson College in Metchosin and has spent a good deal of time in the southeast African country. The two women are tireless founders and boosters of a girls' school called Atsikana Pa Ulendo. They work hard to spread the word about the school's importance and solicit sponsorships to cover the students' tuition.

Memory was in Sooke last week as part of a six-week Canadian PR/Fundraising effort that would see her make 50 such visits. Her whirlwind schedule had calmed down long enough for her to chat just before the Sooke event had begun.

She described how the school initially had room for 80 students, and that those 80 were well-settled in their studies. She went on to describe the eventual goal of four groups of 80 working on the four-year curriculum.

If a potential donor is interested in becoming a sponsor they would find it compelling to know that an investment of $1,000 covers all instruction, lodgings, AND meals for one girl over the course of a school year.

Malawi is a country with many problems – poverty, warfare and large numbers of people stricken with HIV aids being some of the most notable obstacles to a happy and healthy life. Cruel and blatant sexism is another as the domination and abuse of females is ingrained and widespread. There are many reasons why an education is beneficial to someone – for a girl in Malawi it is a ticket to respect... in many cases a ticket to survival.

Memory told of how a girl with no money or education can be forced into marraige at an early age, in many cases to an abusive spouse. She can be relegated to a life of subservient and vulnerable motherhood.

Education offers options to young women, however, along with the ability to make large and valuable contributions to their community. Girls who have completed school have gone on to be confident and successful entrepreneurs – positive drivers of local economies.

Memory is a great example. One of six siblings who were orphaned when she was just 10, the focused young woman has earned herself a college education and since gone on to be a single-minded advocate for others.

Sponsored girls still must work, and work hard. They are all expected to do their share in running the institution, including duty in the school's ten-plus acre vegetable garden. In addition to improving academically, the girls become model citizens, positive role models in the community.

The Rotary Club of Sooke has a connection with Johnson and APU that goes back to 2005. The group has stepped up to fully sponsor a couple of girls and continues to help out the cause in other ways as well. Rotary clubs in greater Victoria and greater Edmonton have pledged to help in terms of administration , fundraising and public relations. The commitment to help was reaffirmed at the luncheon, and the best wishes and support of the local Rotary chapter enthusiastically passed on to Chazeza and Johnson.

For more information and photos, visit www.malawigirlsonthemove.com