Local couple offers hope for Malawi's poorest

The Kasimu Grammar School in Manyesa, Malawi is receiving a helping hand that extends from thousands of miles away -- from Mountain View, California, in fact.

Former Mountain View fire chief Robert Burns and his wife Mary are dedicating their resources to making sure children at the impoverished school are receiving free lunches, new workbooks and more opportunities to further their education.

The effort is run through the Kasimu Education Fund, or KEF, which the couple started in the belief that education is the answer to endemic problems in places like Malawi.

"We believe that education will fight the disease and poverty," Mary said, "Children will go to school and become educated and in turn they will help their village. ... They need the tools to improve their lifestyle."

The Burns' mission began in winter 2006, when they attended a benefit at St. Jerome's church in El Cerrito. Peter Mulomule, a Berkeley graduate student of theology who had organized the event, spoke to the audience describing the poor conditions of his alma mater, the Kasimu Grammar School. A generous scholarship from a French family had enabled him to continue his education, but most children in the school have little hope of such an opportunity.

"When we heard the story we felt like we had to help," said Mary.

"We started getting involved by giving scholarships," said Robert. "We put together a five-year plan with goals and objectives. We want them to be fully self-sufficient in 10 years and able to fund their own school system."

The couple soon realized that the school's poor condition was a symptom of a larger problem.

"One of the causes of their poverty is the failure of their farming system," said Robert. When the Burns' realized the extent of necessity in the villages, they began raising money to fund improvement programs as well.

Donations mainly come through friends and acquaintances. A high school scholarship for one student is about $300 a year.

Kasimu serves nine villages and has about 1,000 students of all ages enrolled. The KEF has already provided funds for a daily lunch program, a new administrative building, scholarships for 22 students and a monthly stipend for the teachers. The next goal is to build classrooms for the first four grade levels, which currently conduct class outside under trees. The couple would also like to see a high school built in the area.

"Less than 1 percent of Kasimu's students graduate high school," said Robert. "We want to raise that to 80 percent."

"I don't think we can afford not to do it," said Mary regarding the work they do. "The reason that we have poverty in the world is that the ones that have are not sharing with those that do not."

"If we can improve this school we will have made a difference in the lives of 5,000 people," she added. "We have received letters from the people there saying that there is now hope in their villages for the future."

INFORMATION:

Donations can be sent to the Kasimu Education Fund, 1667 Springer Rd., Mountain View, 94040. Robert and Mary Burns say all donations are tax deductible and all of the money goes to the fund.

For more information, visit www.kefmalawi.com.