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
Dear Theo, thankyou for your update on your work with children’s education in Malawi. I want to thank and encourage you - education is the best route for these young people and I know how inspirational a teacher can be.
Theonas
Hello, hello Magda
Thanks, Magda, for your encouraging words as we are trying to make the small ones in Malawi learn more about the world and eventually change their lives. Magda, you surely are correct, the work is overwhelming and often somebody becomes physically and mentally exhausted thinking about how things will be tomorrow, in terms of overcrowded classes, inadequate teachers, shortage of classrooms and other Iearning resources. Thanks a lot for your support that is making Malawian children be able to access basics in education.
All good wishes to you, your family and all your friends.
Regards
Theo
Thanks, Magda, for your encouraging words as we are trying to make the small ones in Malawi learn more about the world and eventually change their lives. Magda, you surely are correct, the work is overwhelming and often somebody becomes physically and mentally exhausted thinking about how things will be tomorrow, in terms of overcrowded classes, inadequate teachers, shortage of classrooms and other Iearning resources. Thanks a lot for your support that is making Malawian children be able to access basics in education.
All good wishes to you, your family and all your friends.
Regards
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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