Welcome to Theonas' Blog
All about Theonas
Moni onse! I’m Theonas Kalumika, an education specialist volunteer in Malawi. Before I started volunteering for VSO, I was a primary school teacher for 13 years and spent 18 years as a primary education advisor. I’m delighted to have the opportunity to update you more on how your support is changing the lives of many children.
In Malawi, poor learning conditions and a lack of resources have created barriers to children’s education.
Over two thirds of students don’t finish primary school and those that do often lack the skills needed to thrive as older children and adults. Many primary schools have classes full of hundreds of students but only one teacher, meaning many children get left behind in their education, and eventually drop out altogether.
By supporting children with educational tablets, they're taking huge leaps in their learning. I was very excited when I heard about the work VSO is doing in schools in Malawi, and ever since I started volunteering I've been able to share my knowledge with everyone here. I can't wait to update you on how our work here in Malawi is going, and how your support is helping change children's lives.
Theonas Kalumika's updates
A look back at 2024: A time for reflection
In this update, we look back at this year and reflect on some of the wonderful achievements that we've accomplished together - thanks to your support. You can watch a short video to see for yourself how valuable your gifts are.
Life in Peter's classroom
In this update, you’ll meet Peter, one of the dedicated primary school teachers I work closely with. Peter will tell you about his experience teaching a class of 200 children and the difference the learning centre and educational tablets are making to his students. You’ll also hear about 10-year-old Thoko, who’s seen incredible improvements in his learning, attendance and enjoyment of school since the project began.
Meet Atu, Project Manager
In this update, you’ll hear from VSO staff member and Project Manager, Atu, who manages the education project here in Malawi. He’ll tell you a bit about his role and how the learning centres and educational tablets have helped children learn in the schools he works at. Atu supports me in my work as an Education Specialist, and makes sure I have everything I need to support the students.
Meet Prisca: A day in her life
In this update, you’ll meet my fellow VSO volunteer, Prisca, who’ll share more about her own experiences on the project. You’ll also hear more about the VSO learning centres and tablet technology, and how these are making a real, lasting difference to children across Malawi. Thank you as ever for your continued support.
Join me on a Malawian school tour
In this update, I’ll be taking you through one of the 17 primary schools I work in. I’ll show you around the school grounds, inside one of the classrooms and a VSO learning centre, and how the children use the educational tablets.
A day in the life of a head teacher in Malawi
In this update, I'll be handing you over to my friend and head teacher of a primary school in Malawi. He tells me how, thanks to you, the educational tablets have made a life-changing difference to the children in his school.
Transforming education for children across Malawi
In this update I’m delighted to introduce you to VSO’s education project, where me and my fellow volunteers are providing educational technology and sharing our skills in hundreds of primary schools across Malawi. The impact this is having on children’s attendance, confidence and learning is incredible - and it’s only possible thanks to your kind support.
Want to ask a question?
VSO’s Sponsor a Volunteer team will share your message with the VSO volunteer and get back to you with a response. Your email address will not be used, disclosed or transferred to any VSO personnel, it will be stored securely in accordance with VSOs privacy policy. A sample of messages including display names will be published to the Sponsor a Volunteer homepage each month.
Your latest questions answered
Thank you for taking the time to leave me a message, it means a lot to hear from kind supporters like you.
Please enjoy a restful Christmas break and happy new year ahead.
Theo
Many thanks for your kind wishes. Your support really motivates myself and so many others here in Malawi to keep going.
I hope you have a relaxed, restful Christmas. Enjoy.
Theo
Thank you for your kind message.
So far we have made great steps to reach over 200,000 children with educational tablets, which is transforming education. We couldn’t do it without your support. We are still striving to reach more children – by 2029, we hope to reach more than 3 million children in 6,000 schools. How incredible would that be?
You’re helping to reach a goal that will transform millions of children’s lives.
Thank you for your support.
Take care,
Theo
Did you know?
We bring about lasting change not by sending aid, but by working through volunteers to empower communities in some of the world’s poorest regions. You can read more about VSO’s areas of work and discover more about our projects here.
Hear from our volunteers
Our volunteers are working right now around the world to help with education, food and health. Click on someone below to learn more about their work.
Raj Karki
Namaste! My name is Raj Karki. I’m volunteering as a Diffusion Advisor on VSO’s Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Response project in Nepal. I’m looking forward to keeping you up to date with how we’re getting on and how your support is making a lasting difference to the lives of women and girls here.
Dennis Bwire
I’m a District Teaching Advisor, on the Building Learnings Foundation programme in Rwanda. I guide my team to enable them to support teachers, so they have the practical skills to ensure no child is left behind in education.