Moyo Wanga Expo

Education | Identity | Womanhood

In October 2025, we held our first Moyo Wanga Exhibition at Bahasi Orphanage in Blantyre. Five girls bravely presented their photos and stories to the community. And it has already made an impact!

"We often shout at our children. But look at these girls, they really have something to say. Instead of shouting we should listen more to them," said Chief Jones at the end of the presentations.

Read the participants’ stories below.

Bullying

Pemphero Dickson (17)

When I grow up, I want to become a journalist. I also love singing.

My story is about bullying. As you can see in my picture, I’m wearing a beautiful dress and smiling — but behind that smile, there is sadness. At school, some people bully me because of my body. They say I am fat. This hurts me deeply and sometimes makes it hard for me to do things. I feel like my rights are being violated. And I know I’m not the only one, others are bullied too.

When people bully me, I often go to a quiet place and cry. Sometimes, I sing to comfort myself.

Bullying is not good. It takes away someone’s peace and freedom.

Gender

Magret James (13)

My story is about gender. In Malawi, children are often given different tasks based on whether they are boys or girls. People say that boys cannot wash plates and girls cannot sweep the yard, but that’s not right.

Many girls don’t get the chance to go to school because they are busy doing housework, while boys don’t learn how to do other tasks.

I believe both boys and girls should be treated equally and learn to do all kinds of work.

Climate

Annie Justin (18)

My concern is about cutting down trees. Nature is very important in our lives, and when people don’t take care of it, there are serious consequences.

Here at Bahasi Orphanage where I stay, we get our water from the mountains. Once, my friends and I got sick after drinking contaminated water. It made me realize how important trees are — they help keep our water clean and our environment healthy.

We should stop cutting down trees carelessly and start planting more.

I'd like to share you my poem I made for this issue.

Our Lives and Hills

Listen you people, I am tired of what you do

You cut down trees along my bank and dry me up

Listen you people

I am tired of what you do

You kill my animals in my jungle

And dry me up

Listen you people

Take care of us

Every single day, you need us

We give you water, we give you life

Jealousy

Mabel Mkwapatila (15)

My story is about jealousy.

I used to be a very jealous person. When I saw that a friend had drawn something beautiful, I would tear up my own drawing. I thought my work was bad. One day, I even threw all my drawings into the toilet and told myself I would never draw again.

Later, I learned at school that jealousy is not good. From that moment, I started changing. I stopped tearing up my drawings, and now I’m improving every day.

Jealousy is not good because it stops you from doing what you love. It lowers your self-esteem and confidence.

Bullying

Triza Brazio (16)

My story is about bullying because of skin colour. At one point some of the people I stay with say they cannot be around me because I am black. Most of the time, I am alone.

One night, while I was sleeping, some girls came and beat me. Another time, they mocked me because of my red eyes. I cried and asked them why they were doing this to me, because they are just like me. I told them that one day, when they get married and have children, they don’t know what kind of children they will have.

What I want to say is this: before we bully someone, we should look at ourselves and ask if we are perfect. The person we are bullying might even be more beautiful than we are.

Don’t judge someone by their looks.