Story Time

We are an organization that empowers students in their educational pursuits through empathy, underst

Story Time was founded by two University of Minnesota students with passion for education and empowering communities from within. We believe that taking the time to listen to people’s stories will cultivate true community partnerships that will lead to sustainable community-led development innovations. Read more here about our story here: http://storytimeedu.org/our-history

Story Time works to im

prove the quality and access to education in secondary schools, by partnering with existing education and community structures, including government ministries, in Malawi, Africa.

06/23/2026

🎓🎉Huge congradulations to Esther, Alfred, Daniel, Maria, Greelan and Hazwel! 🎉🎓

These students haved been part of the 1:1 sponsorship program for 4 years!

They were nominated by their peers as being most at risk of dropping out.
Their teachers backed their nominations.
Their gaurdians wanted them to finish school, but struggle daily to put food on the table.

And yet, they perservered and GRADUATED! Congradulations!!

06/18/2026

Imagine being in high school, unable to study after school because your flashlight battery ran out and the grid is down. This is the reality for students at Nsondole CDSS.

Fuel is scarce in Malawi, making the power situation an "acute-on-chronic crisis" (PIH Canada). Generators don't run when power outages stike.

Due to the conflict in Iran, fuel prices have increased more than 40% (Reuters), making fuel incredibly unafforable for the average Malawian.

Lack of power has always been an issue in our partner school's community, and now more than ever, families are feeling the pressure. Choosing between feeding their family or trying to buy fuel that is never there.

Solar power could make a huge difference here. Give a student a light to a path forward today.

06/16/2026

What happens when you help a girl stay in school?

She doesn't just attend classes.

She becomes a mentor to others.
She joins the Women's Empoerment Program.
She shares stories that change minds—and lives.
She inspires girls who thought they were alone.

This is the ripple effect of sponsorship. It's not charity. It's transformation.

06/11/2026

If you've seen our website, you've probably seen this statement:
"...projects that communities would create for themselves if they had the technical and/or financial means."

This is our mission: to co-fund, co-create, and co-implement solutions that uplift and empower students, families, teachers, leaders, and more- to live the future they are *already* striving for.

Story Time does not implement projects brainstormed in a board room, but rather we listen for what concerns and suggestions come up at PTA, Mother's Group, and Student Group meetings. Our on-the-ground Malawi team works directly with community leaders to draft solutions to the issues we hear, and that recommendation is brought forward to programming committees for funding.

How would the world change if every organization listened?

We ask because we really want to know. Our work is shaped not only by the students and communities in Malawi, but also by the Co-Authors (that's you!) who make it possible.

06/09/2026

Q: How did the workshop go today? What were your thoughts on it? Did you like it or were you expecting anything different?

A: It made me feel really good. It made me proud to be one of the girls who knows how to make a pad....because it's a real thing for girls, for me, to know how to make my own pad.

Because of pad-sewing workshops, Sungunani has made two of her own pads, giving her the confidence to attend class without worrying about her period.

06/04/2026

Siphat was elected by her classmates as someone who should receive sponsorship.
Not because she asked for it. But because they saw how much she needed and deserved it.

That's how it works at Story Time. Students, teachers, community memebers, and more help choose who should receive support, because they know better than anyone who's quietly struggling.

Siphat is now in Form 3 (11th grade) and dreams of becoming a secondary school science teacher. Her school performance has improved each year since joining the program, and last year she passed all of her exams. Her best class last year was Physics, where she got an A and her teacher remarked she did "Excellent".

Siphat lives with her mother who was divorced by her father. There are 5 children - 3 girls and 2 boys in her family. Her siblings include Ruth who left school in 7th grade and got married, Andrew who finished secondary school and Chikondi who completed secondary school. Both Andrew and Chikondi live at home and help the family.

Her mother runs a small-scale business, including baking fritters, to help provide for the family. It's hard for her mother to provide for the family because she earns so little. Still, her mother makes sure Siphati has time to study and encourages her to work hard in class.

This is the power of peer-nominated sponsorship. It's not charity. It's community.

06/02/2026

With U.S. students being dismissed for the summer, lets look at the Malawian Academic Calendar!

In the 2025/2026 school year, Term 1 ran from September - December 2025. They had a short break for the holiday season and Term 2 started in January 2026 and finished in April 2026.

With a short break, Term 3 started in the later half of April 2026 and will finish in July 2026. Term 3 is where a majority of the tests are taken, and the students get their results in July.

A Typical Schoolday Schedule for Primary & Secondary students:
07:00 - 07:30: Arrival and cleaning of classrooms/surroundings.
07:30 - 11:10: Morning lessons (usually with a short break).
11:10 - 11:20: Second break.
11:20 - 13:05: Final lessons.
13:05 - 14:00: Schools often close in the early afternoon. Some students have student-organized afterschool activities like choir or boy's soccer.
14:00 - 16:00: Students walk home (or bike if they are able).

05/28/2026

A tale of scraps to door mats!
A total of 63 students attended the latest Women's Empowerment Program Meeting (WEP). They have found a way to use the scraps from the reusable menstrual pad material! They are taking the scraps and making door mats and chalk board dusters.

"I did not know that we can make something beautiful like this from rags. Thank you so much for teaching us this skill," stated one of the students.

A total of eight door mats were made by the students. Some students also made chalk board dusters for Nsondole CDSS.

The door mats and chalk board dusters were presented at their latest PTA meeting, where they were met with much praise and excitement for their work.

05/21/2026

From empty walls to shelves filled with books—a dream that is possible with your generous donations!

The community is asking for a functional library; from teachers and students, to parents and guardians. This space is more than just a room; it's a resource, a refuge, and a reminder that every learner deserves access to knowledge. 📚

Become a co-author today!

05/19/2026

Imagine attending a concert, football game, or a fair and you only have 1 sink to wash your hands.

The lines would be immeasurable; they would go for miles! Now imagine that you're in school in the same situation. You would be absent for crucial class time- vital information for your end of year exams.

This is the reality for the students of Nsondole CDSS—more than 200 students sharing one washing station. 🖐🫧

With your generous donations, let's get these kids another hand washing station! 🚰

Address

Minneapolis, MN
55414

Telephone

+16123512205

Website

http://storytimeedu.org/most-in-need

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