Graduation news: Chifundo Makwinja
An article by Chifundo Makwinja who just graduated with a Master’s Degree in Public Health.
FOCHTA started sponsoring me when I was form 3 at Luchenza Secondary School. This was the time when we lost our father, and our mother could not afford to pay school fees for us. I used to be chased out of class because of failure to pay school fees. This is when I found out that my future is in trouble, and that affected me psychologically. Even teachers knew that despite that I had intellectual potential, my family background was affecting me academically. This is what made them start searching for well-wishers who could buy pay for my school fees. I then ended up landing in the safe hands of FOCHTA. Since then, I have been sponsored by this organization throughout my Diploma, Degree and now my master’s in public health focusing on Community Health.
After finished secondary schooling, I was selected to study at the Malamulo College of Health Sciences for diploma In Clinical Medicine which I completed in 2014.
After completion, I got my first job as Clinical Officer at St Josephy Mission Hospital in Chiradzulu. I only spent two years before I left to attend Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources where I studied Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and graduated in 2019.
In 2020 I joined Elizabeth Glaser Pediatrics AIDS Foundation (EGPAF) as Research Assistant and then Research Supervisor.
As for my college life, it offered to me a vibrant tapestry of experiences, relationships, and personal growth. Then at Eden University in Zambia where I did my master degree, the academic environment was both rigorous and supportive. The professors are not only experts in their fields but also mentors who genuinely care about students’ success.
Our Master of Public Health program comprised of 8 students. Four students were from Zimbabwe, two from Nigeria, one from Zambia and me from Malawi. This small class size fostered interaction and collaboration, allowing me to engage deeply with the material.
Social life at college is a vital aspect of the overall experience. From the moment I stepped onto campus, I was welcomed into a diverse community of students from various backgrounds and cultures in various study groups and collaborative projects enhanced my learning experience. These interactions have not only improved my understanding of complex subjects but have also cultivated friendships that extend beyond the classroom. The friendships I have formed have taught me the value of empathy, communication, and teamwork. Moreover, the diversity at Eden University has broadened my worldview. Engaging in conversations with peers from different cultures and countries has enriched my understanding of global issues and fostered a sense of inclusiveness.
While studying for my master degree, I have continued to work for Healthcare Foundation which for me started five years ago.
I am glad that I can now continue to work for them. My job involves supervising staff on HIV, TB, STI care and treatment and prevention, among many things.
As for the situation with HIV in Malawi, there have been significant improvements over the past 5 to 10 years, particularly in HIV prevention and treatment. However, the overall situation remains serious. New HIV infections continue to occur, and TB remains a major challenge, especially in the context of HIV. So while progress has been made and services and outcomes are generally better than in earlier years, it has not been a uniform decline everywhere.
The specific area I work in was previously supported by MSF, but MSF withdrew approximately seven years ago. After that, other local organizations began supporting HIV and TB services, but many have since stopped due to funding constraints, including changes in US government support. AHF Malawi, where I work, is still operating and has not been affected to the same extent because it is supported by a group of individuals based in the US, rather than through the US government.
In conclusion, as I continue my journey, I am grateful for the support that my sponsor Professor Don Ferrin and his wife through FOCHTA is providing, which is shaping me into a more well-rounded individual ready to face the future. I am also very grateful to fochta and especially Claude for their support to me all these years.
Chifundo Makwinja
29-9-2026