In July I arrived back in Malawi and after months of fundraising activities, we have been able to turn the goals set out to improve Matandani Primary school into a reality.

While I set out with many aims, there have been many changes since last year in Malawi. Part of being a 3rd world country means there are lots of changes and developments. Some good and some not so good. There is a new government in power who unfortunately have less money to spend on schools, which makes our work with Matandani all the more important. Prices of some of the materials needed for building have also gone up, yet with the money you helped raise, we have achieved and overcome some of these challenges.

The aims I came with included improving the security of the school, providing water security by connecting the water tank and building a two classroom block but we have achieved some added extras . We have even been able to start preparing the school for electricity which will have make a huge difference to the school over the next few years and the future!

So what have we achieved to date?

  • Security

All eight of the classrooms have had their doors secured and new locks

The metal door frames have been welded and new hinges put on

The teacher storage areas also have lockable doors

Window blocks have been replaced

 

  • Water

The tap that was near the school had been removed since the last time I was here so we decided we would put a new tap in the play ground, near the classrooms.

We have also completed our goal of connecting the water tank so that we have a year round reserve of water.

We are currently working on connecting the two toilet blocks with water so that the children can wash their hands and have a more hygienic toilet.

 

  • 2-classroom block

Planning has started. We will let you know when building works start.

 

  • Electricity

Having electric wasn’t one of our original aims, but talking to the teachers made me realise that having electricity would benefit the school hugely, now as well as in the future.

In Malawi, connecting to electric can take a long time so to start with we have put in wiring, sockets and lighting, ready for when the electric company can do the final connection.

 ——————————————————————————————–

I’ve always found my experiences in Malawi rather humbling and the dedication of teachers and the local community shows that everyone wants a better life. Despite the daily struggle for the teachers having a class of some 200 children each, many are willing to spend their spare time working or painting, anything to improve the school they teach in. So while the days are long and tiring, the result and achievement at the end of the day is extremely satisfying.

Over the next few updates I will keep you up to date on each project as its progressing….. keep checking back here for all the news!

🙂             Mr. Monaghan

 

….. here is a selection of pics to get you started…..