One hundred students sit shoulder to shoulder in 100-degree heat in an unairconditioned classroom with 40 wooden desks, 20 textbooks and one teacher.
Ty Lawson, 32, who now lives in Vail, was that one teacher at Mlare Secondary School in Mlare, Malawi. He spent two years, from 2002-04, in the Peace Corps teaching some of the brightest students Malawi had to offer. But in this country of 13 million people in southeastern Africa, most families are living off less than a dollar a day, struggling to even afford to send their children to school.
The Malawi Ministry of Education has undergone dramatic changes in the past two decades. In 1994, the Malawi government implemented free primary school education nationwide, boosting attendance dramatically from the time when first-grade through eighth-grade education had to be paid for. However, with the switch, secondary school, or high school, became a fee- and testing-based luxury. Limited spots mean not only do students have to test into it, but parents also must pay for their children to receive a secondary school education.
“Most parents do think education is important,” Lawson said of families in Malawi. “But they can only afford to do so much.”
Malawi’s main resource is Lake Malawi, Africa’s third-largest lake. As a result, most families are comprised of either fishermen or farmers. And most students plan on becoming the same. If they are serious about school, they may become school teachers, nurses, policemen or accountants. But the question, “What to you want to be when you grow up?” is one teachers never ask.
The opportunities have increased but are extremely limited. The students are taught in English, usually their third or fourth language, because textbook publishers don’t print lessons in the students’ native tribal languages.
Lawson taught math, science and history, enjoying math the most because numbers are easier to translate. There’s no electricity, so showing a movie to illustrate a concept such as World War II isn’t an option. They don’t have laboratories, so doing experiments in chemistry isn’t feasible.
“These are students who have not been 50 miles from their home,” Lawson said. The best teachers knew how to make use of limited resources, he said. They waste nothing, even making soccer balls out of plastic bags.
The student fees go toward books and other development projects — like bathrooms or water pumps. “It’s just not enough to help,” Lawson said.
The education system has taken many steps toward improvements. In comparison to having one teacher instruct 12 grades by distance radio, as was common in the country 20 years ago, there are more schools and more enthusiasm for education. But all this growth is met by a tremendous teacher shortage. There’s only one teacher training college in Malawi.
Fork in the road
Malawi is at a crossroads. The West is trying to get Malawians to change their views on women in society, who usually marry right after primary school.
“Is it more important for 12- to 14-year-old girls to get an education and possibly make money for their families or get married?” Lawson asked. “We don’t want to tell people what to do. We might be wrong.”
One of the problems that stands in the way is the spread of HIV and AIDS. Nearly 20 percent of the population is HIV positive, resulting in almost 1 million deaths and just as many orphans, according to the CIA World Factbook.
“There are tremendous burdens placed on families to support one another,” Lawson said.
The girls had it especially rough, Lawson said. In addition to attending school, they were still expected to do the washing and cooking. If they went home at lunchtime, it wasn’t to eat — it was to prepare the food so their brothers who were also going to school could eat. The families were big usually that the boys didn’t have to worry about the chores as much.
It’s difficult for families living on a dollar a day to save enough to get ahead, Lawson said. Most families will try to send their kids to secondary school or high school if they can afford it, but it was common to send kids home who hadn’t paid.
“Before when there was a dictator, if you did well in school, you got to move on,” Lawson said. “Now, it’s a democracy, but only the rich can afford it.”
Thursday, 5 July 2007
Malawi president questions expulsion of MPs
Malawian President Bingu wa Mutharika yesterday questioned a supreme court ruling that allowed the expulsion of defecting politicians and could lead to the fall of his minority government.
"Many Malawians are puzzled as I am with the ruling. What redress will the people of Malawi get if it turns out that the supreme court erred?" Mutharika asked in a statement broadcast live on state television. "What were the compelling reasons for the court to rule this way? The judges ignored the fact that MPs are free to move from one party to another."
A panel led by Chief Justice Leonard Unyolo last month granted powers to the Speaker of parliament, Louis Chimango, to invoke constitutional provision Section 65 to expel any politician who changed party affiliation.
Some 60 of the parliament's 193 members will be affected by the ruling, half of whom crossed the floor to join Mutharika's ruling Democratic Progress party.
Mutharika had approached the court to give a definite ruling on the constitutional provision after opposition parties started pressing for the dismissal of politicians who change party affiliation.
"Many Malawians are puzzled as I am with the ruling. What redress will the people of Malawi get if it turns out that the supreme court erred?" Mutharika asked in a statement broadcast live on state television. "What were the compelling reasons for the court to rule this way? The judges ignored the fact that MPs are free to move from one party to another."
A panel led by Chief Justice Leonard Unyolo last month granted powers to the Speaker of parliament, Louis Chimango, to invoke constitutional provision Section 65 to expel any politician who changed party affiliation.
Some 60 of the parliament's 193 members will be affected by the ruling, half of whom crossed the floor to join Mutharika's ruling Democratic Progress party.
Mutharika had approached the court to give a definite ruling on the constitutional provision after opposition parties started pressing for the dismissal of politicians who change party affiliation.
Taiwan foreign minister to visit Malawi
Taiwan's foreign minister James Huang is scheduled to leave on Friday to attend Malawi's 43rd anniversary of independence.
While in Malawi, Huang will invite the Malawi president to attend a summit between Taiwan and its African allies.
Huang will also visit other African allies during this trip. He will go to Swaziland, The Gambia, Burkina Faso, and Sao Tome and Principe.
While in Malawi, Huang will invite the Malawi president to attend a summit between Taiwan and its African allies.
Huang will also visit other African allies during this trip. He will go to Swaziland, The Gambia, Burkina Faso, and Sao Tome and Principe.
Malawian clinic is a gift F.R.O.M Scotland
A north-east charity has given hope to families thousands of miles away following the opening of a health clinic in Malawi.
During a long-distance ceremony held on Wednesday, July 4, the charity’s well-known patron, Fiona Kennedy, officially opened the clinic via a live telephone link.
Inverurie couple David and Kathleen Thomson founded F.R.O.M Scotland (Famine Relief for Orphans in Malawi) after visiting Malawi in 2005 and was primarily set up to feed orphans.
However, more recently funds have been put towards building the clinic in the town of Mwanayaya, southern Malawi, that previously had no medical facilities, and which will serve several villages.
David and Kathleen’s daughter, Dr Tracy Morse, who has lived and worked in Malawi for the last six years, helps co-ordinate the charities efforts.
The clinic cost around £2,500 to build and was only possible due to the hard work of F.R.O.M Scotland and the local villagers, who were so keen for the clinic to be built they made all the bricks.
Speaking at the opening, which was held at Aberdeenshire Council’s Woodhill House headquarters in Aberdeen, Fiona Kennedy said she felt privileged to be involved with the charity’s achievement.
She said: “I am delighted to be here today to celebrate this astonishing effort, which is really a family effort reaching out to other families across the world.”
Mr Thomson, who is also a trustee for the charity, added: “I would like to pay tribute to our committee and supporters who have worked so hard to raise this money.
“It is their dedication and generosity that will save lives in Malawi.”
David added he is proud of his daughter’s work in co-ordinating the charity: “It is good to see her share the enthusiasm that Kathleen and myself felt for this cause when we started F.R.O.M.”
According to her mother, Tracy had always dreamed of working in Africa. Kathleen said: “Even when she was just thirteen she said she was going to go to Strathclyde University and then go out to Africa because she wanted to make a difference, and she has done it.”
Also present at the ceremony, was Kingsley Lungu from the University of Malawi, Aberdeenshire Council’s Chief Executive, Alan Campbell, Councillor Martin Kitts-Hayes (Inverurie and District), Aberdeen City Council Deputy Provost John West, as well as the charity committee.
F.R.O.M Scotland have now raised in the region £26,500 over the past 21 months and all the money the charity raises goes straight to Malawi, with no administration costs.
The charity continues to raise funds, and has now nearly raised enough funds to replace a Birthing Unit that was previously destroyed.
Anyone interested in supporting the charity should contact David Thomson on (01467) 681208.
Contact: Assistant Communications Officer Vicky Florence
Tel: (01224) 664614
Fax: (01224) 665204
During a long-distance ceremony held on Wednesday, July 4, the charity’s well-known patron, Fiona Kennedy, officially opened the clinic via a live telephone link.
Inverurie couple David and Kathleen Thomson founded F.R.O.M Scotland (Famine Relief for Orphans in Malawi) after visiting Malawi in 2005 and was primarily set up to feed orphans.
However, more recently funds have been put towards building the clinic in the town of Mwanayaya, southern Malawi, that previously had no medical facilities, and which will serve several villages.
David and Kathleen’s daughter, Dr Tracy Morse, who has lived and worked in Malawi for the last six years, helps co-ordinate the charities efforts.
The clinic cost around £2,500 to build and was only possible due to the hard work of F.R.O.M Scotland and the local villagers, who were so keen for the clinic to be built they made all the bricks.
Speaking at the opening, which was held at Aberdeenshire Council’s Woodhill House headquarters in Aberdeen, Fiona Kennedy said she felt privileged to be involved with the charity’s achievement.
She said: “I am delighted to be here today to celebrate this astonishing effort, which is really a family effort reaching out to other families across the world.”
Mr Thomson, who is also a trustee for the charity, added: “I would like to pay tribute to our committee and supporters who have worked so hard to raise this money.
“It is their dedication and generosity that will save lives in Malawi.”
David added he is proud of his daughter’s work in co-ordinating the charity: “It is good to see her share the enthusiasm that Kathleen and myself felt for this cause when we started F.R.O.M.”
According to her mother, Tracy had always dreamed of working in Africa. Kathleen said: “Even when she was just thirteen she said she was going to go to Strathclyde University and then go out to Africa because she wanted to make a difference, and she has done it.”
Also present at the ceremony, was Kingsley Lungu from the University of Malawi, Aberdeenshire Council’s Chief Executive, Alan Campbell, Councillor Martin Kitts-Hayes (Inverurie and District), Aberdeen City Council Deputy Provost John West, as well as the charity committee.
F.R.O.M Scotland have now raised in the region £26,500 over the past 21 months and all the money the charity raises goes straight to Malawi, with no administration costs.
The charity continues to raise funds, and has now nearly raised enough funds to replace a Birthing Unit that was previously destroyed.
Anyone interested in supporting the charity should contact David Thomson on (01467) 681208.
Contact: Assistant Communications Officer Vicky Florence
Tel: (01224) 664614
Fax: (01224) 665204
Water crisis hits Blantyre city
Supply of safe water has run out in most parts of Malawi’s commercial city, Blantyre, causing great anxiety over the residents’ lives.
A snap survey by Nyasa Times this week revealed that there is loss of tap water in most high-density areas as supply is coming out in very low quantity.
This has forced women and young girls to bear the unpleasantly chilly weather that has knocked Blantyre city the last few days, to fetch the valuable resource
from the already contaminated city rivers and water spots.
The sad occurrence comes a few months after government admitted that Blantyre Water Board (BWB) has disappointingly failed to serve the city residents with the expected services, pledging it would soon start piping water from Mulanje Mountain, about 50 kilometres away from the city.
In some parts of Ndirande, Chilomoni, Manase, Machinjiri and Bangwe, water has been flowing at annoyingly very low rates for the last five days and some people have had to import the commodity from far-off areas.
"To make matters worse if the water is to flow then it is at awkward hours when we are asleep…like me I have not taken bath for two days now," complained one vendor from Chilomoni.
There was no immediate comment from authorities at Blantyre Water Board, as the landlines were not picked when Nyasa Times called their office.
Those who are placed at strategic areas where water continues to flow have at the same time are making some good monies by selling a pail of water (15/20 litres) at K10 each.
Fortunately, the main hospital has not reported any case of cholera yet from any of the townships as a result of the water crisis, according to Thom Chisale, Chief Hospital Administrator at the Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital.
In another development, Mzuzu City in northern Malawi is on the brink of facing a major water crisis if authorities do not take action to stop people from encroaching the Lunyangwa catchments area, which is the major source of water in the city.
Research conducted in the area indicates that the catchment area may soon dry up because communities surrounding the area continue cutting down the trees wantonly.
"If nothing is done soon, it may not take more than 8 years before the catchments area dries up and that will be disaster to the city residents," said the executive director of Rural Foundation for Afforestation (RUFA).
A snap survey by Nyasa Times this week revealed that there is loss of tap water in most high-density areas as supply is coming out in very low quantity.
This has forced women and young girls to bear the unpleasantly chilly weather that has knocked Blantyre city the last few days, to fetch the valuable resource
from the already contaminated city rivers and water spots.
The sad occurrence comes a few months after government admitted that Blantyre Water Board (BWB) has disappointingly failed to serve the city residents with the expected services, pledging it would soon start piping water from Mulanje Mountain, about 50 kilometres away from the city.
In some parts of Ndirande, Chilomoni, Manase, Machinjiri and Bangwe, water has been flowing at annoyingly very low rates for the last five days and some people have had to import the commodity from far-off areas.
"To make matters worse if the water is to flow then it is at awkward hours when we are asleep…like me I have not taken bath for two days now," complained one vendor from Chilomoni.
There was no immediate comment from authorities at Blantyre Water Board, as the landlines were not picked when Nyasa Times called their office.
Those who are placed at strategic areas where water continues to flow have at the same time are making some good monies by selling a pail of water (15/20 litres) at K10 each.
Fortunately, the main hospital has not reported any case of cholera yet from any of the townships as a result of the water crisis, according to Thom Chisale, Chief Hospital Administrator at the Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital.
In another development, Mzuzu City in northern Malawi is on the brink of facing a major water crisis if authorities do not take action to stop people from encroaching the Lunyangwa catchments area, which is the major source of water in the city.
Research conducted in the area indicates that the catchment area may soon dry up because communities surrounding the area continue cutting down the trees wantonly.
"If nothing is done soon, it may not take more than 8 years before the catchments area dries up and that will be disaster to the city residents," said the executive director of Rural Foundation for Afforestation (RUFA).
Malawi and Namibia clash in celebratory match Friday
APA-Lilongwe (Malawi) Malawi’s National Football Team will on Friday, the country\’s national day, play in an international friendly match against Namibia at Kamuzu Stadium in Malawi\’s southern city of Blantyre.
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) Chief Executive Yasin Osman said Thursday that the match is both part of the country’s independence anniversary celebrations and a test match for the team.
\"We are optimistic that our team will win the match, taking from the experience we’ve had with the last games between Morocco, Senegal and South Africa,\" he said.
Malawi lost in all the three masses, causing an uproar in the country against newly recruited football coach, Englishman Stephen Constantine.
Osman said despite the losses to the three teams, the Flames “showed a hard working spirit which we believe they will continue.”
He, therefore, called on Malawians to support during the clash.
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) Chief Executive Yasin Osman said Thursday that the match is both part of the country’s independence anniversary celebrations and a test match for the team.
\"We are optimistic that our team will win the match, taking from the experience we’ve had with the last games between Morocco, Senegal and South Africa,\" he said.
Malawi lost in all the three masses, causing an uproar in the country against newly recruited football coach, Englishman Stephen Constantine.
Osman said despite the losses to the three teams, the Flames “showed a hard working spirit which we believe they will continue.”
He, therefore, called on Malawians to support during the clash.
Africa must do more to feed growing number of hungry: UN agencies
GENEVA: U.N. officials issued a strong warning Wednesday that countries are not doing enough to feed the growing number of starving people in Africa.
At least 200 million people on the continent go hungry every day and agricultural production will have to be increased massively to meet their needs, officials from three United Nations agencies said.
"Over the past 15 years, the number of under-nourished people (in Africa) has increased by 45 million," David Harcharik, deputy-director general of the U.N.'s Food and Agricultural Organization told reporters.
Harcharik said that while it is important rich countries keep their promise of increasing development aid to Africa, "it is fundamental ... that the developing countries themselves make the commitment to increase investment in their own agriculture sectors."
Extending irrigation systems, increasing agricultural productivity and passing on new technologies and knowledge to small farmers are some measures that would help Africa, said Harcharik.
Leaders of the Group of Eight most powerful nations agreed in 2005 to increase annual aid to poorer countries to US$130 billion (€95 billion) from about US$80 billion (€60 billion) a year by 2010, with half to go to Africa in an effort to double aid to the continent. Campaigners have criticized the world's leading industrial nations for so far failing to live up to their promise.
Anti-poverty organization Oxfam said the G-8 will fall short of their target by some US$30 billion.
"Many (of the G-8 countries) have not met their pledge," said Kanayo Nwanze, vice president of the U.N.'s International Fund for Agricultural Development.
"It is clear that the road we are currently on, will not lead us to the intended destination of halving the proportion of people living in extreme hunger and poverty by 2015," Nwanze said, referring to one of the U.N.'s so-called Millennium Development Goals.
A half-time United Nations report on the goals, which were set at a global summit in 2000, said the world will fail to sufficiently cut hunger unless efforts are significantly scaled up.
Some 27 percent of children under five in poorer countries are underweight — a key statistic in measuring global hunger — the report released on Monday said.
"We need to change course," Nwanze told reporters, adding that political leaders should give high priority to agricultural development.
Jeffrey Sachs, professor of economics at Columbia University, said the southern African country of Malawi had successfully improved its agricultural sector by subsidizing fertilizer and high-yield seed for the poorest farmers.
He said that after two good harvests, Malawi is due to have another bumper crop this year, proving that a "green revolution" of the kind seen in India and China decades ago is possible in Africa too.
"The good news is that Africa could double its food production within the next few years by straightforward, best-practice agriculture combined with the financing of the poorest people," he told reporters in Geneva.
The objective of halving world hunger over the next eight years can still be achieved, Nwanze said.
"Although the correct course to reaching these targets is a steep climb, we can make it."
At least 200 million people on the continent go hungry every day and agricultural production will have to be increased massively to meet their needs, officials from three United Nations agencies said.
"Over the past 15 years, the number of under-nourished people (in Africa) has increased by 45 million," David Harcharik, deputy-director general of the U.N.'s Food and Agricultural Organization told reporters.
Harcharik said that while it is important rich countries keep their promise of increasing development aid to Africa, "it is fundamental ... that the developing countries themselves make the commitment to increase investment in their own agriculture sectors."
Extending irrigation systems, increasing agricultural productivity and passing on new technologies and knowledge to small farmers are some measures that would help Africa, said Harcharik.
Leaders of the Group of Eight most powerful nations agreed in 2005 to increase annual aid to poorer countries to US$130 billion (€95 billion) from about US$80 billion (€60 billion) a year by 2010, with half to go to Africa in an effort to double aid to the continent. Campaigners have criticized the world's leading industrial nations for so far failing to live up to their promise.
Anti-poverty organization Oxfam said the G-8 will fall short of their target by some US$30 billion.
"Many (of the G-8 countries) have not met their pledge," said Kanayo Nwanze, vice president of the U.N.'s International Fund for Agricultural Development.
"It is clear that the road we are currently on, will not lead us to the intended destination of halving the proportion of people living in extreme hunger and poverty by 2015," Nwanze said, referring to one of the U.N.'s so-called Millennium Development Goals.
A half-time United Nations report on the goals, which were set at a global summit in 2000, said the world will fail to sufficiently cut hunger unless efforts are significantly scaled up.
Some 27 percent of children under five in poorer countries are underweight — a key statistic in measuring global hunger — the report released on Monday said.
"We need to change course," Nwanze told reporters, adding that political leaders should give high priority to agricultural development.
Jeffrey Sachs, professor of economics at Columbia University, said the southern African country of Malawi had successfully improved its agricultural sector by subsidizing fertilizer and high-yield seed for the poorest farmers.
He said that after two good harvests, Malawi is due to have another bumper crop this year, proving that a "green revolution" of the kind seen in India and China decades ago is possible in Africa too.
"The good news is that Africa could double its food production within the next few years by straightforward, best-practice agriculture combined with the financing of the poorest people," he told reporters in Geneva.
The objective of halving world hunger over the next eight years can still be achieved, Nwanze said.
"Although the correct course to reaching these targets is a steep climb, we can make it."
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