Our Regional Project in Malawi
One Region - Two Schools - One Big Project!
In 2006 Maggie Orage inspired us to take on this project, whilst she was President Elect - so we have now been working with our schools in Garda and Lisaki in Malawi for three years.
Both Past President Margaret Hyde and President Margaret Sandercock would like the region to complete the four-year involvement and to keep up the good work until the project is sustainable. In this way, we hope to make a real difference to the lives of the 80 local children in the school at Garda and the 250 children in Lisaki.
The inventiveness of clubs in supporting this project - mainly a fund-raising effort - is amazing!
In 2006 - 07 President Ineke Morris gave each club £20 and asked them to increase it - the response was good and Maggie Orage was able to take funds to Garda so that a brick classroom could be built.
In 2007 - 08 Clubs asked President Maggie Orage for a wish-list, mainly for Lisaki, and bought chairs, tables, books, football shirts, and winter clothes for the children in both Garda and Lisaki and maize seed for planting.
The beauty of this project is that we actually know how it’s progressing - Maggie Orage visits regularly and takes the goods or money with her. She buys what the schools need from local suppliers, so as well as supporting the schools, we are supporting the development of local business.
Maggie reports that the school in Garda now has two classrooms - one for children and one for use as a library, resource room and adult education provision - with a staff room between the two.
Maggie reported “The money for the building is being put to good use. The bricks are made and locally sourced wood is being used to build - they have their own brick kiln.”
Maize seed was planted to help with the ’school meals’, and has now grown to maturity. Children are encouraged to attend school because they know they will get a meal - but they aren’t sure on which day, so have to come every day!
We frequently see new photographs and it was great to see how the schools have progressed - our money goes a long way in Malawi!
The region is now hoping to build toilets and provide small play equipment and toys for the schools to make life a little less basic.
This project brings the whole region together and will make a very big difference in Garda and Lisaki. Maggie visits Malawi regularly and continues to update the region about the project as and when she can.