Roger Federer in
Roger Federer is in the country to carry out activities under his Roger Federer Foundation. On Tuesday, Federer visited Dowa DAPP Teachers Training College where he announced an $18 million investment in the Malawi for School Readiness Programme. Federer, who established his foundation in 2010, made the announcement after visiting Dowa DAPP Training…
Roger Federer is in the country to carry out activities under his Roger Federer Foundation (RFF).
On Tuesday, Federer visited Dowa DAPP Teachers Training College where he announced an $18 million (about K14.8 billion) investment in the Malawi for School Readiness Programme.
Federer, who established his foundation in 2010, made the announcement after visiting Dowa DAPP Training Centre in Dowa District on Tuesday.
The Swiss star said he was committed to investing more resources in the country’s early education sector.
“I am committed to extending this engagement for years to come and further invest another $9 million until 2026. Likewise, I hope and count on increasing support from both the government and international donors,’’ he said.
During the Dowa visit, Federer donated 3,000 tablets, 3,000 solar kits and 3,000 batteries to the government.
The tablets will be used for building the capacity of pre-primary class caregivers and early grade teachers in schools through a self-guided course using an offline learning course.
The tablets comprise applications, guides and manuals for capacitating caregivers in a self-guided manner.
Federer said investing in early education was an important aspect of development.
’’If you want to achieve success at university level and if you want to increase graduation rates at secondary level, you have to invest in early education first. Investing in early education is investing into the long term development of the country,” he said.
As part of his tour of Malawi, Federer will also visit field programmes in Lilongwe and Salima, where he will meet and interact with children, caregivers, teachers, parents amongst other groups.
Minister of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare Patricia Kaliati received the items on behalf of the government.
Kaliati said the government was grateful to the foundation for its support.
’’We are very grateful for the support from Roger Federer Foundation. We believe the investment from the foundation will help improve the quality of education in Malawi,’’ she said.
The foundation is implementing the programme with its local partners ActionAid Malawi, Association of Early Childhood Development Organisations in Malawi and CCAP Synod of Livingstonia.
