From Chinsapo, Malawi to London!
A month ago, I was in Malawi, my home, my heartbeat, and the place where my dreams took root. Today, I am living in London, thousands of miles away, pursuing a PhD in Media and Creative Studies at Loughborough University London. This journey marks many firsts for me: my first international flight, my first time setting foot in the United Kingdom, and my first time stepping into a world so different, yet so full of promise.
Settling in has been both thrilling and challenging. The food is different. I still miss ‘kanyenya wafulawa ndi utaka’ and the culture of greeting strangers, random chats everywhere, and the warm smile.
London itself is a city that is constantly inspiring me. In just a few weeks, I’ve explored its history and beauty through a bus tour around Central London, a reflective walk along the River Thames, and an unforgettable visit to the British Museum. My favourite routine, however, remains my quiet walks through Ravenscourt Park.
I’ve also been blessed with amazing people who have made my transition easier. Friends like Alice, Rabecca, Wei Wei, and Victoria bring joy and laughter to my days. My host family, the Mackies, have become my London family. We share dinners filled with laughter, deep conversations, and reflections on our daily lives. Their warmth reminds me that family can be found wherever love is shared.
A recent highlight was my first supervision meeting. Sitting across from my supervisors, discussing my research ideas, I felt an unshakable sense of belonging. It was a quiet confirmation that this journey though long and tiring has brought me exactly where I need to be.
Make it stand out
My path here began when I was just six years old. One day, I met a university student and curiously asked, “Where does education end?” She smiled and replied, “Maybe a PhD… although it never ends at all, however, even a degree is enough for you, you’ll get a good job.” That conversation planted a seed in me that has never stopped growing.
I grew up in Chinsapo, on the outskirts of Lilongwe, in a small two-bedroom house that I shared with seven family members. The space was tight. I often slept on the couch and life was far from easy. I walked long distances to school, sometimes arriving soaked in mud because the roads were bad or late after dodging traditional masks during community ceremonies. On some days, fetching water from boreholes took hours (midnight sleep or waking up at dawn) as Lilongwe was common for water shortages, yet I always showed up for school.
Despite these challenges, I refused to give up. In 2011, I became the first woman in my family to attend university, studying Media for Development under a government scholarship. Later, I pursued a Master’s in Theatre and Media in Development, a journey that tested me as a new mother and as a student facing financial struggles since no institution wanted to keep me while I pursued my Masters. In between this journey it came to a point where I submitted a letter to withdraw for a year and I was advised to remain steady by my program coordinator. With persistence and support, I graduated with distinction, a moment that gave me courage to take the next step toward my PhD dream.
Throughout this journey, Mbedza has been my foundation. They believed in my vision, offered mentorship, and created a home for me when I needed it most. Their commitment to empowering Malawian women through education and opportunity has been more than a mission, it's a lifeline. I am equally grateful to Techne DTP and Loughborough University London for trusting me with this studentship and providing the platform to grow both academically and personally.
As I continue my studies, I carry Malawi with me, its warmth, resilience, and hope. My dream is not just to succeed for myself, but to return home and contribute to transforming education and media spaces. I want every girl from Chinsapo and beyond to know that no dream is too big and no distance too far.
Because dreams, when nurtured with faith, persistence, and community, can take you anywhere even to London.
