By Chisomo Phiri
Author Salome Mdala has released a new motivational and educational book titled ‘5 Steps to Ace Your University and Scholarship Applications’ aimed at helping students and young professionals successfully apply for universities and scholarships.
Speaking in an interview with 247 Malawi News, Mdala described herself as a passionate advocate for mentorship, education, and youth empowerment.
“My name is Salome Mdala. I am a Malawian author passionate about mentorship, education, and encouraging young people to pursue life-changing opportunities boldly,” she said.
She said the newly released book focuses on encouraging ordinary people to believe in themselves and pursue opportunities with confidence.
According to Mdala, the book delivers a strong message that life-changing opportunities are attainable for anyone willing to apply boldly and remain confident in their abilities.
“The book aims to guide and encourage students and young professionals applying for universities, scholarships, and other transformative opportunities,” she explained.
Mdala said the inspiration behind the book came from her personal experiences of applying for academic and professional opportunities in different countries across the world.
She noted that many talented young people often miss valuable opportunities because they lack guidance or confidence.
“Through these experiences, I realised that many talented young people miss life-changing opportunities simply because they do not know where to start, how to apply, or they doubt themselves,” she said.
The author said the new book was officially launched early this year and is currently available online through platforms such as Amazon, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, and other online bookstores.
She said in Malawi, the book can also be accessed through Mabuku Online, a local digital library platform.
Commenting on Malawi’s writing industry, Mdala said she believes the sector is growing and holds great promise.
She praised Mabuku Online for creating a platform that connects local writers with readers and provides authors with an opportunity to showcase their work.
“I was genuinely impressed by the number of Malawian authors writing in very diverse and interesting areas,” she said.
Mdala revealed that she started writing seriously in recent years, drawing inspiration from her personal experiences and reflections.
She said so far, she has published two books namely ‘5 Steps to Ace Your University and Scholarship Applications’ and ‘A True Mirror: Reflections on Personal Growth.’
Mdala encouraged young people in the country, especially girls, to believe in their dreams and embrace opportunities fearlessly.
“Sometimes one application, one opportunity, or one act of courage can completely change the direction of a person’s life,” she said.
She added that she hopes to continue using writing, mentorship, and education as tools to inspire and empower others.
Over the years, Mdala has been awarded five scholarships and participated in academic and leadership programmes in countries including South Africa, Austria, the United States, Sweden, Bangladesh, and the United Kingdom.
She is also a Fulbright Scholar and has participated in programmes such as the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), the African Union Young Women Mentorship Programme, and intellectual property training programmes in Sweden and Bangladesh.
Additionally, she served as an International Student Ambassador for the United Kingdom Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA).
