Computers at their new home!

32 refurbished computers are now at their new home at Emmanuel Secondary School in Salima, Malawi.  All of this was possible because of a generous grant from the Wyn and Carol Laidig Foundation.   I was able to purchase software that will be used by three of the teachers to instruct the student on the basics of Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office.  They are excited and are patiently (maybe!) the installation of a transformer on the electrical pole by the school which will then lead to the school being hardwired into a rather shaky Malawi electrical grid.  Thank you so very much to the Wyn and Carol Laidig Foundation for making these smiles happen.

Another generous gift from the Antioch Foundation

Funds have already been transferred and construction is already in progress for this third and final phase of the initial building of Emmanuel Secondary School.  A lab and two teacher homes are being constructed.   The teacher homes will assist with greater security and more immediate responsiveness to school matters.   It also shows the community that we are serious about education.  This could not have occurred without the generosity of the Antioch Foundation.   We sincerely thank you.   I will be going to Malawi in March and I will be posting pictures and video on the construction, both past and present.  As we say in Malawi, zikomo kwambiri.

Two important milestones..and more good news

Just a little bit of really good news….The Minister of Education has signed the paperwork officially recognizing Emmanuel Secondary School as a certified school.   Secondly, we are now an official examination site, again, recognized by the Ministry of Education.   Director Patrick Magombo has worked tirelessly to make this happen.

The computers are almost at their destination.   Patrick and I will be communicating in the interim to make things ready and to insure that everything is up and running by the time I arrive in Malawi in March.   Again, this is all completely due to the generosity of the Wyn and Carol Laidig Foundation.   What a blessing.

As of last week we were at 176 students and counting.   We have also received multiple requests to receive boarders.   Patrick has made some temporary shelters to accommodate the boarders.

Philosophy

When you think about helping someone what approach do you think about or have you used.  Give food to the hungry?   Give water to the thirsty?  Give education to the undereducated?  There are times when immediate intervention is needed to sustain life.  But what about the long term?  That is what guides us at the Nzeru Foundation.   We do not have the resources nor do we wish to duplicate the efforts of others who are already supplying direct emergency assistance.

We think long term.   We think sustainable.   We also think national and educational.  Our philosophy is one of teaching teachers.   Teaching nurses.   Setting up programs utilizing national tools and giving the national actors assistance if they need it.   We invite you to join in this mission of helping Africans to help Africans.

Another generous gift from the Laidig Foundation

The Wyn and Carol Laidig foundation have once again given generously!  Last time it was for desks, school supplies and land.   Now they have covered the cost of 30 computers for students, most of whom have never touched a computer before.  I will be going to Malawi in March to teach the teachers how to teach the students the basics of computer.  The computers will be arriving in Malawi in the next week or two.   Money from the Laidig Foundation will also cover the cost of broadband internet hardware installation.

I will be taking pictures and video and will make that available upon my return, if not sooner!   Again, we extend our sincere thanks to the Laidig Foundation for such generosity.

158 students and counting

To date Emmanuel Secondary School has approximately 158 students and counting.   Donations that have been received have gone toward the purchase of new supplies.  The Antioch Foundation grant for 2013 is become more and more of a necessity, and  a gift warmly received with two open hands, as the needs of the school have far exceeded our initial conservative estimations.

Please follow the link for photos from Dr. Richard and Frank Kemme and their visit to Emmauel Secondary School.

 

A visit from Dr. Kemme and his son Frank

Patrick let me know that on September 13th Dr. Kemme and his son Frank visited Emmanuel Secondary School.   Dr. Kemme had generously donated the funds for the school desks and he was able to see them occupied and in use.  Dr. Kemme sent a few photos and I included two on the school page.  Thank you for the visit, Dr. Kemme.   You are always welcome!

School is in session

School began on September 3 and to day we have approximately 100 secondary school students (students are still registering) and we have tentatively begun a primary school.  There was a lot of demand for one and Patrick decided, with the assent of the staff, to begin one.   We have received some funds that will cover the start up expenses that were unexpected.    We thank you for those gifts.  Please continue to share the news of this project with your friends and family members.

Some new students from an unexpected area

Director Patrick Magombo texted me today with some more good news!  A group from Sweden will be sponsoring 10 orphans to attend Emmanuel Secondary School.  The orphans are from Mangochi, a lakeside town in the Southern Region.  Patrick’s radio advertising, newspaper advertising and maybe the 8 hours of driving around with a bull horn might have just paid off.  What a wonderful gift – to have the privilege of the opportunity to help change the lives of ten orphans.  A dream come true.

Good News and More Good News!

Where to begin?  The Independent School  Association of  Malawi (ISAMA) has officially recognized Emmanuel Secondary School as a member and as proof has sent them a formal certificate of membership.   It is already framed and hanging on the wall in the school administration block.

Due to the generous Laidig Foundation grant Director Patrick Magombo was able to purchase extra land adjoining the school property!

Patrick Magombo received a visit from the British High Council who requested that Emmanuel Secondary School participate in the International General Certificate of Secondary Education and that Emmanuel Secondary School be a testing site of the IGCSE examinations!   All of this and the classrooms are not yet in session.   This is a testimony to the hard work and dedication of Patrick and his new staff.

Patrick and the school staff will be interviewing the students individually and ascertain where each is scholastically.   The aim will be to properly place them and position them for success.  This process will be starting this week.

Patrick will be meeting with Ministry of Education officials this weeks to receive his formal registration with the Ministry!

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