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
Ooo that's nice to hear, Norman. It is very inspirational and encouraging to hear about Theodore, who is 3, doing great work with a tablet computer. Rarely, can you find a child at 3 using a tablet, here, you may hear such ages to be at a day care centre.
Norman, I am 60 now. My life has been spent in teaching and supporting education related projects. I was once an inspector and advisor of primary schools hear in Malawi before I joined VSO. I had at one point in my life visited UK when I was doing some studies. I lived in Luton for five years from 2009 to 2014. I liked being there and learnt many things. However, when my Visa ended I returned to my home, Malawi. I hope one other day I will revisit UK and meet Mr.Norman, God willing and keeping fingers crossed.
Norman, honestly you right, learning through the tablets makes children to learn fast and quickly because from my experiences the learners learn at their own pace and they are entertained as the learn, this makes them to develop great interest in the lessons . Indeed, if things continue going on like this, we may have a better Malawi. At this juncture let me thank you sincerely, Norman, for the support you give to VSO, it is making children here in Malawi and other parts of the world access tablet usage. Thanks, thanks a lot for this kindness.
Hope to reach 80 one day, like you, despite the tough conditions we are experiencing.😜😜
Greetings to Theodor.
Regards
Theo
Oooo, that's nice to hear, Jenny. Your encouraging words will be shared to my colleagues and I am pretty sure that this will empower us all to work well through our hardships and efforts in the field. Continue giving support to VSO so that some rural children may access the basic education knowledge and skills. We salute you.
Regards
Theo
Thank you so much, Ganesh, for your encouraging words. It is very kind of you to have time and read through my report. Let me also say that your support Ganesh, is doing wonderful work here; allowing some children access the education basics in a modern way. All because of the support you are giving. It is not easy when it comes to thinking about the resources and environment for the teaching and learning process in general.
Thanks alot, you can ask things for your information or knowledge about the situation here.
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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