Residents of Nasiyaya Village in Machinga have begun digging for what they believe to be gold in the Nkhande River. Every day, men, women, and children flock to the river, spending hours mining for the precious metal.
This activity has raised concerns among local education authorities, who report that many children are skipping school, with some even dropping out completely to join the mining efforts. Headteacher Joseph Kamwendo of Mkuluwiri Primary School expressed alarm, stating that many students have abandoned their education, believing that school is no longer beneficial since it does not bring immediate financial gain.
Kamwendo revealed that in the previous school term, five students dropped out due to this growing trend, with some girls even entering into relationships with male gold miners, drawn by the money they earn from mining.
One of the women found at the site, accompanied by her three children, shared that they mine gold together to combat poverty. She stated that they find more gold when they work as a team, which provides her family with much-needed income.
The situation has become a serious issue, affecting not only children’s education but also social dynamics in the village. Authorities are calling for urgent intervention to address the gold rush and its impact on the community.
