Don't send your children abroad if you haven't saved up enough money to see them through their studies, advises AWF

Joseph Moyo

THE African Woman Foundation (AWF), a Livingstone based non Governmental organisation has advised parents and guardians against sending their children abroad to study if they have not saved sufficient funds to see them through their studies.

AWF founder and director Joseph Moyo said the organisation has since December last year assisted 30 students with financial aid while it has facilitated the return of six others after their guardians failed to sustain their studies leading to their various colleges and universities in India and China revoking their student statuses.

Speaking at a press briefing recently, Mr Moyo said sending children without sufficient funds to see them complete their studies puts them at a risk of engaging in illegal and illicit activities such as prostitution and drug trafficking.

He said it is always important to plan ahead and save enough money for children to access education.

“Once a parent sends their children outside the country without catering for them that is not education, they are only sending their children into harm's way because once these children go there and their parents cannot send money for upkeep, the universities simply revokes their status or threatens to revoke it and in a desperate attempt to avoid that, these young people end up doing illegal activities,” he said.

Mr Moyo said his organisation has come across many young people in the diaspora who have resorted to vices such as prostitution and homosexuality for the sole purpose of survival.

He said across Africa, the organisation has come to the aid of a total of 172 students in the form of air tickets or upkeep to see them through their studies.

“Don't send the children out there speculating that everything is going to be alright along the way once you come across some funds to send to them. Better only send the children when you know you have saved enough money for them to complete,” he said.

Mr Moyo who also thanked the Government for coming up with educational policies that encourage girl child education said his organisation will continue sensitising people on the true value of a woman.

He said women should be empowered and educated in order for them to benefit towards the development of the country.