Malawi News Update November 2024

Chitipi School – 3 Classroom Block

The contract for the construction of a three classroom block at Chitipi School, Lilongwe was placed with Kaimbe Building Contractors on the 22nd May 2024. George Kaipsya our trusted builder was delighted to be awarded the works and promised to deliver an exceptional building. The works have been actively supervised by Maliam Mdoko, an architect from the Rotary Club of Lilongwe our partners in Malawi.

The works on site commenced in earnest on the 6th June 2024, with the digging of the strip footings, to the side walls. The project progressed well despite material supply issues in Malawi, causing some minor delays. Procuring the concrete wall blocks, structural timber and the metal roof sheeting all proved problematic and were in short supply. 

Never the less these obstacles were all overcome and the works were successfully finished and signed off as complete on the 21 October. The works were completed in 20 weeks at a cost of £26.8k, which for a building 24m long by 8m wide, is amazing value. The pictures show how excited and pleased the pupils, governors and village elders are with there new classrooms. A massive thanks goes to all of the individuals and organisations that made this possible. 

Provision of School Desks at Chitipi

The Rotary Club of Towcester showed great interest in what has been achieved to date at Chitipi school. The latest classrooms being the 9th to be built since Becket's initial visit in 2011. With the school population growing over this period from 500 to 1400+ Towcester were keen to do something which would have an immediate impact on the pupils. 

The answer was desks. The majority of children sit on the floor and write in their books using their leg as a support. Towcester applied for a matching District Grant in 2023/24 of £1000, enabling an order to be placed locally to make 50 hardwood desks for £2000, The desks will be used by Grades 5-8 students sitting two or three abreast in the new classrooms.

Classroom Box – Mtsiliza School

Our classroom box charity recently donated to Mtsiliza School, 5080 text books, 3000 exercise books & 3000 pencils, costing £6,250. The school is in Lilongwe and is attended by 6000 pupils, taught on a two shift basis, mornings and afternoons. The text books were presented on our behalf on 11th October by the Rotary Club of Lilongwe City Centre.

Chitipi School – Additional Classroom & Vocational Room

Our next challenge at Chitipi is to build another classroom and vocational room. The aim of this room is to provide the pupils with some artisan life skills which will benefit them, as the majority finish schooling at primary school level. The estimated cost to construct the building is currently estimated at £24,500 and will take 18 weeks to complete. Our aim is to let the construction contract by January 2025, with a target to complete before the end of May.

The majority of funding will come from a matching grant from the District 1070 Foundation Grant, which is part of the District Designated Fund, which will match up to £8k, with Becket and three other clubs collecting £2k each, which adds up to £16,000. The three District 1070 Participating Clubs are Towcester, Northampton West and Kettering Huxloe. Other clubs that have pledged financial support are Corby Phoenix, St Neots St Mary, Woodhall Spa, Peterborough, Grantham Sunrise, Lincoln Lindum and Bakewell. We are well on the way to achieving our fundraising target with latest total at £19,500.

Once the building works are finished we will be looking to fit the carpentry room out with work benches and tools. The craft room will also require tables and some sewing machines. So if you would like to support our on-going works at Chitipi School, all donations would gratefully received. 

Contact gordon.roan@rotarybecket.org for more information of how to do so.

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