By Chisomo Phiri

It has emerged that some off-campus students at the University of Malawi ( UNIMA) in Zomba are on the verge of withdrawing their studies at the university due to lack of accommodation in areas they are residing.

One of the concerned students Herbert Joseph who is doing Geography Science ( fourth year) at the university that God loves most told us in an interview that the accommodation fee challenge is now becoming a worst part of their daily life, hence contributing to poor performances in classes and an increase in suicide cases.

“Here at University of University of Malawi students are struggling especially us from poor family backgrounds.

“Some of the problems we are facing include lack of food, lack of money to pay rent.

“Most of us, none of our relatives can manage to pay rent and provide us with basic necessities at higher learning institutions like this. Due to these problems we see some students commiting suicide, sleeping on empty stomach and extra,” said Joseph.

He added:”For example,today, we have just raised funds to our fellow students. This student had no food, no house to reside due to lack of accommodation fee, he was sleeping together with a certain guard and the management is aware of this.”

The student said the situation is forcing some students to fall into the trap of immoral behaviors such as prostitution which puts them at a risk of contracting HIV/AIDS.

“We are at a great risk and we do not know if our future will still be bright. It’s a bad situation as some of us are stealing maize from their landlords, phones and laptops from their friends so as they can have something to survive.

“Some of our fellow students are now in prisons meaning they have been completely withdrawn from the college,” he said.

Joseph then appealed to the general public and other well-wishers to come and rescue them out of the challenge.

“If you have potential help university of Malawi students with soya pieces, flour and money.

“You can help with little that you have, it will mean a lot,” he appealed.

Students pursuing academic programmes at Chancellor College have a number of options with regard to accommodation.

All students to the college are enrolled on a non-residential basis.

The college campus includes 8 male and 18 female hostels, to which students apply for accommodation.