Dalo Mwase: A Journey of Resilience and Hope

Dalo Mwase, a Form Three student at Katoto Secondary School, is a shining example of determination in the face of adversity. Despite facing numerous educational barriers—including a 14km walk to school and financial hardships—Dalo remains focused on her dream of becoming a medical doctor.

Early in her education, Dalo struggled due to limited exposure to schooling and the daily challenge of long-distance travel. Things became even more difficult in secondary school when school fees became unaffordable. It was at this point that ECOD (Ebenezer Community Development Organization) stepped in, offering a bursary that lifted the financial burden.

“I no longer stress about school fees as ECOD takes care of that. I now focus entirely on my education,” Dalo shared.

While the support brought relief, Dalo still faces pressure to perform academically. Yet she continues to rise above these challenges—recently earning 16 points and ranking 7th out of 259 students.

Dalo’s motivation stems from her personal experiences and her desire to help others. Inspired by the suffering she has witnessed in hospitals, she aspires to become a medical doctor and give back to her community.

She appeals for transport support to ease her daily journey and encourages other girls not to give up, saying:

“Good things are yet to come. Don’t be discouraged—God sees everything you’re going through.”

Shadreck Haswell Thenda, ECOD’s Project Officer, praised Dalo’s commitment and confirmed that ECOD also supports two other girls at Katoto Secondary School, with plans to reach even more students.

“We saw a bright future in Dalo, and we remain committed to supporting her journey,” he said.