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?
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Your latest questions answered
Thank you so much, Hannah, for reading the update. Indeed it is an amazing job being done here, but it is more amazing because of your support and we appreciate the support you always give to make VSO do it's project all over the world including our country Malawi, please continue. In my country many, many children are encouraged to complete their primary circle because of such education interventions, like the current one that is making children acquire skills of reading and computing during their early grades.
Hannah, you might have some questions about what we are doing in the project. Please, feel free to ask and I will respond accordingly.
Thank you so much, Hannah, and have a lovely time.
Theonas
Hope you are fine. Let me first apologize to you for my late coming back to you and share experiences. Indeed it is a great program, Alison, as I might have mentioned in my last email that the program targets all primary schools in our country, totalling to over 6,000 and will run up to 2029, if all goes well. So you should know that there is great appreciation and excitement over here because of your support.
Just to share with you, Alison, attendance of most learners has improved and some learners come to the point of reminding a teacher to have tablets session if they see time elapsing in a day.
Let me thank you so much, Alison for your encouraging words and you should know that your words are a source of strength to us.
Thank you so much and enjoy your time.
Theonas
Thanks for your touching and inspirational word, Alison. It is very nice and encouraging to hear that.
Briefly, Alison, I do monitor and support teachers and learners as they use tablets in all project schools. What happens is that the schools are identified, different experts provide different services to make a school ready to receive tablets. Such services include providing solar charging system for charging tablets and cages for safe keeping of tablets. The community does provide a security guard ( watchman) during the night. It all starts with community sensitisation about the coming of tablets in the community as a project or program of children to learn through the tablet. Then, teachers are trained on how to conduct and support a tablet session. Alison, take note that at the moment children learn mathematics and a vernacular language, "Chichewa" through the tablets.So what I do is go round to these schools and monitor and support the teachers and children during tablet sessions. We also provide information and reports about the way things are happening on the ground in relation to the project. We also support management in carrying out the project activities in the field such as meetings, trainings and open days, including supporting visitors who come and visit us.
Thanks a lot, Alison.
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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