After the heavy rains and flooding in Malawi in January and February, Matandani did not escape all of the damage. Thankfully, thanks to some quick action from the deputy head teacher, Kenneth and the local chief, a lot of work was done to limit the damage the flood water was doing to the school buildings. Temporary drainage was dug to get rid of the water quickly but now we are in the process of making some of these drains a permanent fixture in case these heavy rains come back again!
You can still see some of the minor damage done by the water months later!
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The main entrance became a place for stagnant water so they built a temporary step and now we have made that a permanent one also!
The most amount of damage occurred at our maize field however. Unfortunately with all the water and flooding, it was very difficult to maintain and as it is now harvest time, it was noted that the maize didnt grow very well because of the water damage. This has resulted in a disappointing 10-15 bags of maize harvested when we were hoping for closer to 75! This is very tough on our food programme which we started with the help of the government but it really does highlight the difficulties that are faced by this school every year! Most families in southern Malawi have been effected in a similar way and when it comes to the hunger season (October – March) this will be keenly felt. On a positive note, the government have said to me that they will try again with the programme and see how it progresses as the flooding this year was highly unusual. So lets hope for a better harvest next year!
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This post is not all doom and gloom, one thing that the rain water has helped with is the flower gardens in front of each of the classrooms and also the trees that we planted last year are growing very nicely indeed! Have a look for yourself below:
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A new development at Matandani’s water taps has been the installation of a Chlorine Dispenser. This was donated by US aid and a member of the community has been chosen to keep this stocked full. The children here now fill up their pales of water and add just one drop from the dispenser and they then have much safer water to drink! The school has also decided to get new taps for the toilets (as the old ones have broken again) and these new taps are much better. All you have to do is push the button and the water comes out. This also helps Matandani not waste much water also as the taps cannot be left on by accident! Clever eh?
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At this time of the year, Standard 8 children are under a huge amount of pressure. It is State Exam time. The children have to complete 6 exams in total, English, Mathematics, Primary Science, Social & Religious Studies Chichewa (local language) and finally Art & Life Skills!
**For any of you who want to know what the exam papers are like, I will scan them and add them to the website over the next week or two so you can try them out for yourself! (…. ps… they are probably more difficult than you think!)
Here are some of the children studying with their teacher on a Saturday studying past exam papers in preparation for the big day! The second picture is of one of the children’s I.D. that they must have to sit the exams.
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I’m sure you are with me in wishing them the best of luck as if they do well enough, they will be in with a chance of getting selected to one of the nearest Secondary schools! (Sadly this is only the top 15% in the area/region!)
Keep an eye on this site over the next 6 or 7 weeks in particular as there are lots of projects going on as we speak and I am very excited to tell you all about them! Some of them you will be amazed by!
I’ll leave you all with the view of the school blocks as they are standing this week!
Talk soon
