Back to School

I had the absolute pleasure last week of visiting a community school – not an ordinary school, but one set up at the request of women who didn’t go to school as children who want to learn to read and write.

The school set was set up by a community association, funded by tourism.  They provided the equipment (about a dozen text books and a a blackboard), trained a volunteer teacher and monitor on a monthly basis.  The women have been coming to school to learn to read, write, do basic maths and amongst all this pick up some basic heath, sanitation and environmental awareness for 10 months and are about to take the basic school certification exam, also funded by tourism through Lilongwe Wildlife Sanctuary.

The women were inspirational.  School was a walled area behind a house. No roof, a bit of tarpaulin on the floor and those who couldn’t fit in this area, sat in the dusty courtyard outside.  They were delighted to show us what they had learned and gave us a speech and presents of sweet potatoes and peanuts before we left.

More and more villages on the outskirts of Lilongwe, those who live with almost nothing and survive on what they can grow to eat are asking for educational help as a first step towards helping themselves and it was an absolute pleasure to meet some of them.

I’m seeing for the first time, why I am here.