Education for 3,500 children

In Malawi IPA supports TDCs (Teacher's Development Centres) and their libraries. The project in Lusangazi had an effect on the whole region.

Joseph tried to smile. In the TDC in Lusangazi he was responsible for the lending of teaching aids and teaching materials. In a side room there were in fact a few books which he now showed the IPA representatives. "None of these belong to the curriculum any more", he said, "they were probably disposed into this room because we are not allowed to use them any longer in our lessons." The TDC is accommodated in a small, former staffroom of a school. Nine primary schools with a total of 3,500 children and 120 teachers should have been able to borrow coursebooks and teaching materials here because they do not have any themselves. The TDC however had nothing to offer neither a proper desk or an up-to-date book or a wall chart. Least of all a computer.

The effort of a ten year old girl

It was an ideal project for the meanwhile officially registered IPA operation in England. The aim was to furnish and equip the TDC so that it could fulfil its function. Many people got involved in England where charity events are quite common. A charity concert with a band, a lunch including a presentation and a tombola provided a sound financial basis. And then Chlöe appeared, she was ten and wanted to help the children in Malawi. But what can a ten year old girl do? She went on a walk, a sponsored walk. Her parents helped her with the organisation of the event and the fundraising, but Chlöe herself had to do the walk. And so she did, for about 12 miles! Her effort evoked a lot of admiration and people made many donations. Chlöe's aim had been to collect £1,000, but in the end it was much more. A few donations from Switzerland completed the collection.

In Malawi people are excited. The next IPA visitors hardly recognised Joseph. "The project has motivated us tremendously." He spins around in his empire, pulls out books and rolls out a map of the world. Then he shows them various wall charts, balls, pairs of compasses, magnifying glasses, thermometers and many other things which can now be used during the lessons. The teachers come here from schools some are up to 15 miles away. "They order complete sets and then come back with their students who carry the books to their school", Joseph says. Yes, there is more work to do now, but his job is also more rewarding. Year end examination papers can be typed, printed and copied here which is an enormous help for all the schools. The centre is now self-financing and it is also a copy-shop for schools and private persons. So the future is secure. The efforts of Chlöe and all the donors have been worthwhile.