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.
July's featured volunteer
Moni onse! I’m Theonas Kalumika, VSO Education Specialist in Malawi, and I’ll be taking you forward on your Sponsor a Volunteer journey. Read on to find out how, with your support, we’re giving children here the education they deserve.
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.
July '24 volunteer update
Here in Malawi, most primary schools are very basic. Some lack fundamental resources such as textbooks or desks, and some don’t even have running water or electricity. I’m sure you can only imagine how impossible it is to teach and learn in conditions like this. It’s unbelievably challenging for children to progress through their education and finish school in these environments.
But thanks to support like yours, the learning centres built by VSO have been instrumental to children’s learning. In the video below, you’ll see and hear the incredible difference between a class of 200 children, and the peace in the learning centre. With a teacher and volunteer on hand, the learning centre is a quiet and productive space for 30 children at a time. The educational tablets have been fundamental to providing quality education that children deserve.
Thank you
Generosity like yours is changing the lives of children here in Malawi - they’re learning to read, write and count thanks to time spent in the learning centre.
I’d love to hear your thoughts – or simply, come and say hello – by leaving me a message below.
Speak soon,
Theo
VSO Education Specialist, Malawi
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 your update. It's great to hear how much has been achieved this year. Well done!
Theonas
Dear Hannah,
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
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
Hi Theo Thank you for the update. It was a great video. Keep up this excellent work and meanwhile enjoy your Christmas!
Theonas
Dear Anne,
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
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
It is a very good thing you do,educating the children,are there still more children who need this?
Theonas
Dear friend,
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
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.
More news from VSO
A brighter future: the volunteers helping girls stay in school
Watch how volunteer "Big Sisters," like Nirmala, are helping to ensure children in Nepal have the best start in life by highlighting the importance of education to their parents.