K.I.N.D. Fund Scholarships Build Brighter Futures in Malawi
Highlights
- Since 2010, The K.I.N.D. (Kids in Need of Desks) Fund has raised over $55 million to support education in Malawi, delivering more than 420,000 desks and awarding over 52,000 high school scholarships for girls
- An estimated 75 percent of Malawi's population lives below the international poverty line of $3 a day
As young learners head back to school this fall, The K.I.N.D. (Kids in Need of Desks) Fund will be making an impact in Malawi, continuing its 16-year mission to outfit classrooms with desks and provide scholarships to help students like Joyce Chisale fulfill their dreams.
The K.I.N.D. (Kids in Need of Desks) Fund helps young learners thrive in Malawi
In her first year at St. Michaels Girls Secondary School in Mangochi, Malawi, Joyce Chisale got the highest marks in everything from Chichewa language classes to biology and history. But her parents had trouble keeping up with payments; the boarding school's annual fees were roughly half her father's yearly salary, and there were three other siblings to support.
That might have meant the abrupt end of Joyce's formal education and her dreams of becoming a doctor or scientist. Then The K.I.N.D. (Kids in Need of Desks) Fund stepped in, awarding Joyce a full, merit-based scholarship. She went on to complete high school and graduated at the top of her class.
“Without being able to go back to school, my life would have been miserable,” says Joyce. “Maybe I would have been married, maybe I would have just stayed home with my parents.”
The K.I.N.D. Fund opened a door I once thought was closed to girls like me. My journey shows what is possible when a girl is given a chance — not only to remain in school, but to believe in her future, even when the road is difficult. — Joyce Chisale, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, class of 2026
In April 2026, a triumphant Joyce graduated from Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, in Blantyre, Malawi, with her family in the audience. She is now pursuing a career in microbiology.
“The K.I.N.D. Fund opened a door I once thought was closed to girls like me," she says. "My journey shows what is possible when a girl is given a chance — not only to remain in school, but to believe in her future, even when the road is difficult. Every step of my journey reminds me that little by little, through every rough and rocky path, we press forward — because dreams are never built by turning back.”
Learn more: K.I.N.D. Fund Scholarships Help Girls in Malawi Pursue Their Dreams
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Changing lives in Malawi
The K.I.N.D Fund got its start in 2010 when Lawrence O'Donnell, host of "The Last Word" on MS NOW, partnered with UNICEF to provide desks to schools in Malawi, where learners typically sit on the floor. The simple addition of desks to a classroom provides students with dignity, creates a better learning environment and improves educational outcomes.
Since 2010, K.I.N.D. has raised over $55 million to support education in Malawi, delivering over 420,000 desks to classrooms across the country and awarding more than 52,000 scholarships to keep girls in school. Today, The K.I.N.D. Fund is the largest scholarship provider in Malawi, supporting children across all 34 education districts.
This landmark year truly shows that one small act of kindness can make a world of difference for those students who need it most. — Lawrence O'Donnell, co-founder of The K.I.N.D. Fund with UNICEF USA
In 2025, the initiative achieved record-breaking success, raising $6.3 million including a $1 million single gift. “When I started The K.I.N.D. Fund with UNICEF 15 years ago, I could not have imagined how many students’ lives would be changed in Malawi,” O’Donnell said at the end of 2025. “I am thankful for the immense support of our audience, whose generosity has allowed us to deliver hundreds of thousands of desks to students in Malawi and helped thousands of girls complete their high school education. This landmark year truly shows that one small act of kindness can make a world of difference for those students who need it most."
Learn how K.I.N.D. Fund Desks Make a Big Difference for Students in Malawi
Every child has the right to go to school and learn
The K.I.N.D. Fund’s record-breaking year comes at a pivotal moment for Malawi’s education system. In 2025, the Government of Malawi announced the nationwide abolition of secondary school fees, a landmark achievement and major leap toward advancing education across the country. UNICEF has worked in Malawi since 1964, advocating for every child’s right to quality education.
This commitment reflects UNICEF’s belief that education is a universal right and an essential foundation for children’s future success. As this policy takes effect, funds raised through The K.I.N.D. Fund will be even more critical in reaching the most vulnerable children.
Help children in Malawi reach their full potential
An estimated 75 percent of Malawi's population — 15.8 million people — live below the international poverty line of $3 a day. Investing in quality education not only prepares children with the knowledge and skills they need to thrive, it has the potential to transform communities, countries and the entire world.
Learn more about how UNICEF supports education for children around the world.
HOW TO HELP
There are many ways to make a difference
War, famine, poverty, natural disasters — threats to the world's children keep coming. But UNICEF won't stop working to keep children healthy and safe.
UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories — more places than any other children's organization. UNICEF has the world's largest humanitarian warehouse and, when disaster strikes, can get supplies almost anywhere within 72 hours. Constantly innovating, always advocating for a better world for children, UNICEF works to ensure that every child can grow up healthy, educated, protected and respected.
Would you like to help give all children the opportunity to reach their full potential? There are many ways to get involved.
