Four Becket Rotarians Experiences in Malawi in 2023

IIn March of this year four members of the Rotary Club of Northampton Becket visited Malawi to check on the implementation and success of its international projects initiated before COVID. One of these was our Classroom Box project which has been running for over two decades. Initially school materials were sent rom the UK in shipping containers, packed in plastic “Classroom Boxes” and distributed by the Rotary club of Lilongwe to local primary schools. 

Subsequently, with shipping and material costs from the UK escalating, an arrangement was made with Shoprite, a South African supermarket, to supply materials at cost price and transport them free of charge to Lilongwe. Over the last 8 years or so, this has enabled more materials to be purchased and distributed to learners. From inception the Classroom Box Charity has provided essential materials to over 100,000 children in Malawi and South Africa. 

Over time you still question whether this effort has made some small difference. Amazingly, whilst at our hotel one of our party was talking about Classroom Boxes with a member of the hotel staff and was told that she had personally received materials and that pupils at her school looked forward to the deliveries. She then proceeded to round up six more of her colleagues who had also received our support, which had ultimately enabled them to gain employment at the Hotel.

Later during a visit to Chitipi Primary School, where we presented materials we carried from the UK, a disturbing fact emerged. The headmaster explained that whilst the Education Department provided textbooks for grades 1-4 (ages 5-8), the country couldn't afford to provide textbooks for grades 5-8 (ages 9-12). On testing this information with some of the schoolteachers, we were amazed to find that for classes of 40-50 children, the only textbooks available were those held by the teachers! 

Whilst the basic materials that we had been providing were undoubtedly in very short supply there was also a desperate need for the provision of textbooks to enable the upper primary children to continue their learning.  

Back at the hotel that evening, we decided to do something to make a small difference, whilst we were in the country. With our limited resources we weren't able to buy text books in every subject for the whole of the upper primary school and so we decided to focus on the main 4 subjects , English, Chichewa, Maths and Science and buy sufficient books  so they could  be shared by the learners on a 1 book to 5 children basis. This approach was endorsed as a sensible compromise. Much to the surprise and delight of the teachers and children we were able to present Chitipi School with these textbooks, on the last day of our trip.

In view of this dual need we have decided for the future to split our Classroom Box resources between text books and basic materials, (A5 exercise books, pens, pencils, etc.) and contact has been established with the Ministry of Education Publisher to be able to buy books at wholesale prices directly. An order worth £2,600 was placed in June and these text books will be presented to Mtsiriza Primary School after the summer break. 

£1,000 of basic materials have also been ordered from Shoprite, which will be delivered at the same time. These supplies will make a huge impact at Mtsiriza school which has over 6000 children being taught on a morning and afternoon shift basis!

Rotarian Gordon Roan (the one on the Right!)