Tesa Gunby asks for help with completing science lab in Malawi

One of the world's least developed countries, Malawi, known as the "Warm Heart of Africa," is ranked 164th out of the 177 countries on the United Nations Human Development Index. Only 11 countries are poorer.

Lincoln County native Tesa Gunby, who has been serving as a Peace Corps volunteer in the African nation since October of 2006, has issued a plea for help with the construction of a science laboratory at the school where she teaches.

In an e-mail to The Lincoln Journal, Tesa wrote, "I am a teacher at All Saints Community Day Secondary School (CDSS), which is part of an Anglican mission in the town of Mtunthama.

"The school is in the midst of constructing a science lab - unfortunately, the project is at a standstill due to a lack of funds. Although the cement foundation has been laid and the brick walls have been erected, we do not have iron sheets for the roof, doors, window panes, and so forth."

It is estimated that it will cost approximately $11,000 or 1,421,852.38 in Malawi "kwacha" to complete the facility.

Appearing on the list of items needed for the project are:
.. 18-foot iron sheets, $1,455.
.. Timber, $699.
.. Q-2 steel tubing, $1,094.
.. Clear glass, $502.
.. Labor, $1,250.
.. Wiring, $2,327.
.. Fittings, $887.

"You are probably asking yourself why the government of Malawi doesn't step in and assist with the building of the science laboratory - it's a fairly easy question to answer," said Tesa.

"The government of Malawi gives very little assistance to community day secondary schools. For the most part, it's up to the communities themselves to come up with the capital necessary to construct whatever facilities are needed at their respective schools."

For example, the Mtunthama CDSS consists of four buildings: an administrative office; two classroom buildings, one for freshmen (Form 1) and sophomores (Form 2) and the other for juniors (Form 3) and seniors (Form 4); and a library.

"Of these buildings, two were constructed using donations from outside sources, and two were built by the school with monies from the development fund. Parents and guardians, whose children attend the school, pay an added fee to keep this fund solvent," according to Tesa.

"Unfortunately, the people in Malawi have very little money, and it is difficult for most parents and guardians to pay school fees, much less provide additional funding for construction purposes," she continued.

"The average Malawian family is made up of six people, with most workers making less than $35 a month. Moreover, no secondary school is free; only primary education in Malawi is free."

She noted that parents or guardians are required to pay school fees three times a year. It costs 2,190 MK (Malawi Kwacha) for the first term and 1,900 MK each for the second and third terms, for a total of 5,990 MK or $43. The fees do not include items such as notebooks, writing materials, and school uniforms.

There are 258 students at the All Saints Community Day Secondary School - 129 reside in Mtunthama, 43 live with families in the area, and 86 are considered transients, traveling from two to seven kilometers (1.24 to 4.34 miles) to get to school.

Tesa further indicated that there is a high level of unemployment in Mtunthama.

An employment breakdown for the parents and guardians of the students at the Mtunthama CDSS is as follows:

.. Greater than 90 percent are farmers with small holdings. Their average monthly income ranges from $17 to $35 (2,400 to 5,000 MK).

.. Less than one percent are Kamuzu Academy employees, with an average monthly income of from $50 to $71 (7,000 to 10,000 MK).

.. Less than two percent are small business owners. Their average monthly income ranges from $26 to $43 (3,600 to 6,000 MK).

One American dollar is equivalent to 140 MK.

According to Tesa, "Kamuzu Academy is the largest employer in the area. There are also four estates surrounding Mtunthama, but very few of our parents or guardians work on them. On the whole, the community is very poor."

Speaking to Lincoln County residents concerning the science lab project at the CDSS, the Peace Corps volunteer said, "I am asking the people in my hometown to open their hearts and help us complete construction of the new science lab. Little money in America is much money here.

"In advance, I would like to say that I greatly appreciate all of your kindness and generosity in making this science laboratory a reality. May God richly bless you."

Those wishing to help those less fortunate may send their contributions to The Episcopal Church of the Advent, 141 Advent Street, Spartanburg, SC 29302. Checks should be made payable to "The Assistant Rector's Discretionary Fund." In addition, the donor should specify on the check or on a separate note that the money is for the Malawi building project.

All donations are tax deductible.

Tesa's tour as a Peace Corps volunteer in Malawi will end in November of this year.

Before she left for Malawi, she told The Lincoln Journal: "Malawi is a developing country where the majority of the people lack the basic necessi- ties. I want to strengthen the feeble hands.

"I see the Peace Corps as a means of bringing hope to those who are destitute - it is my heart's desire to help the poor of the world."

The life expectancy for the entire population of Malawi is just 41.7 years.

Prior to joining the Peace Corps, the 1991 LCHS graduate, taught in the history and political science department at Paine College.

Tesa is the daughter of Jerry and Mattie Gunby of Lincolnton.