Check out the 2002 Photo Gallery celebrating the delivery of computers, photocopier and books to the secondary school and primary schools in the region. Photos were taken by Walije Gondwe the project coordinator on her recent visit from June to September 2002

Here is a story of what life is like for most children:

Chiwundeni was a twelve year old boy from a neighbouring village. He worked for my sister looking after her cattle. My sister provided him with board and lodging. His clothes were mostly second hand brought into Malawi from Britain by a charity. Chiwundeni was proud of these and Sunday, his free day, could not arrive soon enough for him to dress up for church and show off his "new" clothes and shoes. Chiwundeni received the equivalent of £1.00 per month (about US$1.50) which was more than the going rate at that time for looking after cattle. With this small amount Chiwundeni supported himself and his widowed mother.

Needless to say Chiwundeni was illiterate as he and his mother could not find even a few more pence for his school fees. He was the only child living in our village that did not attend school. Saddened by his illiteracy he often lamented to his playmates that his illiteracy would be the death of him.

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The good news is that primary school fees have been abolished in Malawi, giving thousands more children a chance to attend school. The bad news is that school buildings and facilities such as boreholes for water, sanitation facilities, have not increased in proportion to the demand.

Children are even advised to cut pencils in half to avoid the risk of losing the whole pencil! In Malawi children are really eager to learn and even the most basic of items are of real value in areas of extreme shortage.

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Chiwundeni missed out on his education but his children should not miss out. Secondary education is really scarce so that almost every secondary school will have some students from everywhere in the country staying with relatives just in order to get a place in school.