Makeshift ClassroomThis blog is long, LONG overdue. Back in April I started visiting local primary (grades 1-8) and secondary (grades 9-12) schools, planning for the distribution of books coming from World Care in Tucson. We were expecting the container to ship out from the World Care warehouses at the end of May, which would have it arriving in Malawi 3-6 months later. Just last Friday, October 20th , we received the container in Mzuzu and unloaded 30,000 lbs of books into an empty classroom at Mzuzu University where they will be stored during distribution. This literally doubles, even quadruples in some cases, the number of books at these schools. It’s very exciting to be a part of this effort.

Typical Outdoor ClassroomToday, two of our 6 six schools came to collect their books! In two weeks I will be visiting schools with the Distric Education Manager to discuss with teachers and administration ways to use the books in the classroom and manage their new library so students and community members can borrow books. I claim to be no expert in these things but at least the discussions and planning sessions will take place. I want to make sure that the books get USED, no just sit “safely” in a locked room or closet.

Masasa Full Primary School

Head Teacher: Mr. K.P. Ngwira Chikawi
Student Population: 1819
Grade Levels: Standards 1-8 (equivalent of 1-8 grades)
Age Range: 5-18 yrs old
Classrooms: 13 (4 have electricity)
Student/Teacher ratio: 100/1

CURRICULUM
Agriculture English Mathematics
Social Studies Science Chichewa
Creative Arts Physical Education Needle Crafts

NEEDS
Desks -The school has zero desks and only 220 plastic lawn chairs for their 1,819 students.-There are 13 classrooms falling into 3 different sizes:SMALL: 19’x 24’MEDIUM: 22’ x 22’LARGE: 23’ x 24’
Portable Chalkboards(5-10 needed) To reduce class size, the school would like to have some classes meet outside. They need sturdy, portable chalkboards for outdoors.
Globes
Library Books The school would like to start a library. They need childrens books, reference books, etc. Enough to get a small library started.
English Text Books Needed for ALL standards (grades 1-8)
Social Studies Text Books Nedded for standards 5 and 8 (equivalent to grades 5 and 8)
Math Text Books Needed for standards 6, 7, 8
Teachers’ Guides ALL subjects, ALL grade levels
Teaching Aids Charts for walls (alphabet, shapes, numbers, times tables, etc)
Art Supplies Crayons, paper, markers, scissors, etc.

Zolozolo Full Primary School

Head Teacher (Principal): Mrs. G.A. Kachali
Student Population: 2,423
Grade Levels: Standards 1-8 (equivalent of 1-8 grades)
Age Range: 5-18 yrs old
Classrooms: 12 (6 additional classes meet outside under the shade of a tree)
Students/Teacher ratio: 80/1
Desks: Only for students in standards 5-8

CURRICULUM
Agriculture English Mathematics
Social Studies Science Chichewa Language
Creative Arts Physical Education Needle Crafts

Matope Junior Primary School

Head Teacher (Principal): Mr. Mwamkenenge
Student Population: 500
Grade Levels: Standards 1-2 (equivalent of 1-2 grades)
Age Range: 5-8 yrs old
Classrooms: meet in a church with two rooms (4 classes in the big room, 1 class in smaller room (2 additional classes meet outside, head teacher’s office is a closet)
Student/Teacher ratio: 60/1
Desks: 0
Chairs: 0
Benches: 30
Karonga Girls Secondary School

Acting Head Master: Mr. Chipapa Phiri
Student Population: 324
Grade Levels: Forms 1-4 (equivalent of 9-12 grades)
Age Range: 13-21 yrs old
Classrooms: 6 (w/ electricity 220v)
Students /teacher ratio: 80/1
On average the school has about 1 book per 6 students in each subject area.

St. Peter’s Private Secondary School

Acting Head Mistress: Mrs. Jen Whitlock
Student Population: 450
Grade Levels: Jr. Secondary – Sr. Secondary (equivalent of 6-12 grades)
Age Range: 12-21 yrs old
Library with shelves and lots of books...problem is that they have received a lot of books that have irrelevant or out-of-date material and are not usable.