Closed for Christmas

Schools closed on 18 December for Christmas. On the last day of term at the Primary schools the learners received their school reports to take home then it started to rain for a little time.  The rain is a blessing so it was good start to mark the holiday. However, we need more rain for the crops.

Learners receiving reports

Lunyangwa Girls are pleased with their reports.

2 learners from St. Peter's are prepared for the rain.

School is closed for the holiday.

Maize arrives at Mary's Meal's Feeding Station

St. Peter's Secondary had a lovely end of term assembly early in the morning in the sunshine.

Happy Birthday

"Chaka Chiweme Martin."  Happy birthday to baby Martin who was one year old recently.  We celebrated his birthday in our house with his mum, gran, auntie and his cousin.  He loved the raspberry jelly we had made.

New Arrival

A new baby girl was born at Mzuzu Central Hospital.  The mother was not allowed to take the baby home until she had a blanket and a hat for the baby.  Fortunately we were able to provide her with one of the beautifully knitted blankets from St. Matthew's knitting group and a lovely hat and jumper knitted by one of our Scottish ladies.  Now mum and the baby girl are resting at relative's house in Mzuzu before setting off on their journey back to the village of Kafukule which was hit by a storm recently.

Thank You Caledonia Primary

Everyone at Katawa Primary was delighted to hear the news from their partner school, Caledonia primary in Saltcoats.  They admired the beautiful, specially made Christmas card which conveyed good wishes to all; this will be circulated around the school and then displayed for all visitors to view.  Specials thanks are extended to Caledonia for the Scottish gifts.

Staff and learners say "thank you Caledonia."

Mr Kondowe HT (left) and staff

Mr Munthali, responsible for Scottish link with Mr Mvula.

Mr Mvula DHT &Mr Knondowe HT admire the Christmas Card

The school roll at Katawa Primary is now 580.  Interestingly there are now slightly more girls than boys attending.  Mr Mvula, DHT, said this was a sign that families are now recognising girls should be given the same opportunities as boys for a good education.  Recently, maize crops have been planted and now sweet potatoes will be planted in the newly created staff garden.  Hopefully the rains will arrive soon and the garden will thrive.  Today it was hot again, even at 9.00a.m. when we visited the school.  At break time some of the learners bought ice poles from the sellers costing 10 mkw and 20 mkw (malawian kwacha) to cool down.

Staff garden strip planted to the left of the playground.

Greetings from St. Mark's

At Lunyangwa Primary, the learners were absolutely delighted to receive the letters from their friends at their partner school St. Mark's Primary in Irvine. They particularly enjoyed seeing the photo of their pen friend which accompanied the letter. Everyone was also pleased with the various items of stationery, especially the coloured pens and pencils which will make their drawings interesting.

The head teacher (left) and depute distributed the letters.

Schools News

St. Peter's original toilet block

St. Peter's new toilet blocks

St. Peter’s Primary are delighted their new toilet blocks are nearing completion. The learners are absolutely delighted to have this new facility.  The Red Cross are responsible for this wonderful project although schools are asked to contribute 25% of the cost of the project.  To create space for the toilets blocks to be built at the school trees had to be cut down.  Fortunately, St. Peter’s were able to sell this wood to cover the cost of their contribution to the project. Sadly, Lunyangwa Girls Primary is not in the same position.  Although identified for a similar project, the school has been unable to meet the full cost of the required contribution, despite their fundraising efforts.  At the moment the work at Lunyangwa has been put on hold. 

Lunyangwa Girls' Primary current toilets

Lunyangwa Girls' Primary new toilet foundations

A Grand Day Out

Mr Thomas Mvula, Deputy at Katawa Primary and our friend for several years invited us to go to see his home area and family, near the Zambian border. It was an early start at 6.30a.m.  Part of our journey was on tarmac road and part on rough track. The final part of the track was very rutted, dry and dusty; we were truly going right into rural Malawi.  In the clearing we arrived at a couple of brick houses with children playing outside. This was the home of Thomas’ elder sister.  We were warmly greeted by Thomas’ nephew who invited us to enter his home.  Slowly and quietly the children crept to the door to peek in at us.  However, they were all welcomed in.

We were introduced to the family members.  Thomas’ nephew spoke fluent English but he was delighted to hear our attempts at Chitumbuka. He spoke clearly and slowly for us so I am certain we would learn the language quickly if we stayed in the village.  Our visit was a very special occasion because this was the first time a white person had entered the house and indeed the village.  For the children it was their first time to see and indeed meet a white person so it was understandable that they just wanted to sit and gaze at us. We both felt very honoured and humble to be given such a lovely welcome.

Thomas Mvula with his sister and family

Inside the house was amazingly cool, despite the scorching sun outside. The brick walls were very high while the cemented floor was smooth and cool.  The window space had been bricked up although there were rays of daylight peeking through and air circulating. Compared to Scottish houses, there is a lack of furniture; only one table and a few chairs.  In the corner stood 2 clay water pots. Some of the children brought in a little portable wooden stool to sit on.

Exchange of gifts

 When it was time for food, the ladies went outside to prepare while the men and guest (us) sat at the table.  We were served nsima, beans, greens and meat/ chicken. Fortunately, we were given forks to eat rather than being expected to use our hands. It was a lovely meal. Afterwards we exchanged gifts and took many photos. Thomas’ nephew told us he worked at the local stone quarry.  Blue stone and white stone are purchased by many people coming from other areas and countries. When speaking with one of the boys, he told us there was a football pitch locally but now they did not have a football so when we visit again we will try to take one.

Afterwards we travelled a very short distance to meet Tomas' elder brother and the rest of the family in their village. Once again we created great excitement and we were warmly greeted. We were amazed to be told someone had walked 3 hours in the blistering heat, just to meet us. 

Thomas with his elder brother and wife

Everyone at the village

Hello Again.

After a very short break back in Scotland we are now back in Malawi.  We had a very good return journey.  Our route was Glasgow to Amsterdam then onto Nairobi and finally Lilongwe, the capital city of Malawi.  The most tiring part of our journey was the 7 hour travel by road in the heat; we could barely keep our eyes open.

Tom & his mum say farewell at Glasgow

Fr. Phillip & Fr. Amos say welcome at Lilongwe