"Here is the latest news from the school; everything is going very well and all is ok at the nursery. I spent 2 weeks at the nursery during November 2006 - Mum and I travelled over together and it was lovely to be back in Africa to complete all the necessary tasks and spend time with the children. All being well I will be going out again in late 2007 for my annual visit." Gina
Here is the 2006 newsletter:
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It is with great pleasure that I write to let you know the Nursery School
celebrated its 4th birthday last month and all is well in the little village
of Chilumpha. I have just returned from a busy 2-week visit to Malawi and
the staff and children are all healthy and happy.
My kind Mum accompanied me on this visit and, with her help, I achieved all the tasks on my long list. After a fairly tough visit in October 2005, I am pleased to say there were no food shortages in the village this year and Charles, the original gardener, who has been quite poorly is much stronger and fitter thanks to treatment at Zomba hospital.
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| As always I had the task of registering new children for next year’s Class B. This time we decided to increase our intake from 30 to 40 students. So in January 2007 we will see 40 new children start and 30 children move up from Class B to Class A. Every year I try to improve the education at the Nursery and increase the positive impact the school has on the community and this year's visit was no exception. After observing the hour of 'fun time' the children enjoy I decided to adjust the structure of this to ensure half of this hour is spent outdoors and half indoors. Previously the teachers had allowed the children to run round the playground for a full hour but now the children will get to let off steam for half an hour followed by a quieter session inside using puzzles, building blocks, toy cars etc. In the playground Mum and I were encouraging the staff to teach the children how to skip, throw and catch, shoot into the new netball hoops and play hopscotch! |
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The Nursery team continues to work hard and they all seem to enjoy their roles and responsibilities at the school. Meria (the reserve teacher) and Ousmane (the gardener/night watchman) both had baby boys in August and September - their sons are called Cosmas and Horece and are absolutely adorable. Mum and I were tempted to do a Madonna and bring a baby home! Wages were all reviewed and increased this year and bags of fertiliser given to the staff as a gift to make sure the maize harvest does well. I was also very delighted to take out 60 new aprons for the children, these were so kindly made by Debi Knight, and the children looked fantastic in these brightly coloured outfits - I hope you agree from the photos attached! | |
| Structurally the school is strong and thankfully the building needed no repairs, the roof is holding out under the heavy rains they experience each year. We just left Ousmane with the task of painting the playground railings and re-painting the swing and slide. |
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Financially the Nursery is being well looked after through all your kind donations and monthly standing orders. The Nursery bank accounts in Malawi are earning good rates of interest, the savings account actually receives 14% interest so once I transfer the money to Malawi it does very well. Without your support the school would not be about to commence its 5th year of education so thank you all for helping me and allowing the children to receive two years’ of free nursery education - it does make a difference to their start in life and I am extremely proud to see the school thriving. |
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All is well for me in London and I am still busy working at the charity
in Islington and making the most of what London has to offer. Although it’s a tiny bit early I would like to wish you all a very Happy Christmas and New Year and thank you once again for all your donations and gifts - St. Anthony's Nursery is a very happy little school as 2006 draws to a close. |
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With very best wishes |
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| Gina x |
General News & Pictures
The nursery really has made such a difference to the local community. Not only has it created seven permanent jobs (as well as two part-time jobs) but it has also enabled children to experience so many new things and the smiles on their faces say it all!
Inside the school they have been busy and Ousmane has painted small pictures on the classroom walls to brighten the children's working environment. Ousmane also painted a new school sign as the original sign was damaged in the rains last year.
It is wonderful to return to the school and the children are always excited to
see me - they have become very confident. They are all progressing well and
working really hard - their pictures and work are now on display in the school.
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During my visit in May 2003 the children were learning about Malawian weddings
and acted out a typical ceremony. It was such a sweet moment and I was very moved
watching the Nursery School Wedding 2003!
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