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
Hi Peter. You are obviously doing a wonderful job working for the VSO and I am happy to think I have made a small contribution to your efforts. You are a ray of sunshine in a rather gloomy world. Well done.
Theonas
Hi Graham,
I hope you're well.
It's your Sponsor a Volunteer, Theo here. Thanks for your words of encouragement for Peter. I'll be sure to pass them on and I know he'll be so happy to hear your kind words, they will be such great motivation for him. He really is an inspiration to so many here!
Take care,
Theo
I hope you're well.
It's your Sponsor a Volunteer, Theo here. Thanks for your words of encouragement for Peter. I'll be sure to pass them on and I know he'll be so happy to hear your kind words, they will be such great motivation for him. He really is an inspiration to so many here!
Take care,
Theo
Thank you for your email. The summer here in the UK was poor, often windy, cold, and wet. We hope for a better Autumn.
Theonas
Dear Colin,
Thank you for taking the time to leave me a message. I do hope you’re enjoting your updates from Malawi.
Wishing you a dry and hopefully not too cold autumn.
Theo
Thank you for taking the time to leave me a message. I do hope you’re enjoting your updates from Malawi.
Wishing you a dry and hopefully not too cold autumn.
Theo
Good to hear all the good work Atu is doing and pleased that my sponsorship is helping to support the vital work in education which will help towards a brighter future for Malawi.
Theonas
Dear David,
It’s great to hear from you, I hope you’re enjoying your updates from Malawi.
Thank you for your words of encouragement for Atu, I’ll be sure to pass them along.
Take care for now and I hope you’re looking forward to your next update soon.
Theo
It’s great to hear from you, I hope you’re enjoying your updates from Malawi.
Thank you for your words of encouragement for Atu, I’ll be sure to pass them along.
Take care for now and I hope you’re looking forward to your next update soon.
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.
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