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
So , you can imagine how much we appreciate your financial support as we use the tablets.
Thanks a lot, Hannah and keep it up.
Thank you so much, Tony, for your email . As stated by Artiwel , head teachers of schools face a lot of challenges during their work particularly in the most remote areas. There are very limited teachers' houses, no offices, the houses of heads are mostly used as storerooms for school materials. However, people like you who support organisations such as VSO, help alot in reducing the pressure of administrators of schools. But the truth is that there are too many problems in most schools in Malawi.
Tony, you wanted to know if the the ipads and tablets are being supplied by VSO , yes VSO has been supplying the ipads and the tablets are being supplied by the Imagine Worldwide (IW) a partner of VSO in the current program implementation.
Tony, you say there are also teacher shortages in UK. What is causing this, is it people not willing to join the profession, or something else, but what is it? Here , in Malawi trained teachers are available but no funds to enable the government to employ them. The financial situation is bad. Once more the support you are giving VSO assists us as well, so continue please. May the Almighty God bless you.
Until next time enjoy your time, Tony.
Regards
Theonas
Thank you so much for your response and encouraging words, Antony. Indeed, most situations are not motivating for teachers and pupils in our country. As you know our country, Antony, the challenges are many, there is poverty, transportation and communication in terms of roads and buses not good at all, health services not good and inadequate hospitals in the rural, not medication, plus plus. So, VSO with this project, is reaching out to the most remote areas. However, this is happening because of your support and we appreciate your help, otherwise all you read about children learning through the tablet could not be possible. Thank you so much and continue supporting VSO so that in turn we receive your assistance too.
By the way, Antony, which part of Malawi did you visit, if you remember.
Thank you so much for your time.
Regards
Theonas
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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