By Chris Snyder
Today (May 18) was turnover day. We arrived about 9:30 a.m. to see all the children sitting patiently under a tree.
After the dignitaries arrived and after Andrew, in one of his disappearing acts returned with some balloons, the ceremony began. It was filled with speeches, dancing, singing and the official cutting of the ribbon. Speeches were given by the Head Chief, Rose, the District Education Officer, Paul Jones of Emmanuel International, Guilford, the President of the Rotary Club of Limbe and yours truly.
The accolades given to Emmanuel and ourselves for funding and helping to build the classrooms – quite overwhelming to the point of being embarrassing. The main reason was we had provided much needed new classrooms as well as making the school a place where teachers and children want to come. Some of this is just basic. For example, the school had one chair on our arrival. They now have 12. Teachers can now sit. The school was enhanced by the painting of 6 classrooms. We put in special skylights so people could see better, new blackboards, built 60 desks (they had none), we are providing mats for the younger children(they sit on bricks) and much needed books, notebooks and pens.
We also provided soccer balls, frisbees, skipping ropes and games.
After the cutting of the ribbon by Guilford, Andrew, the Head Teacher, Rose, the Manager of Education and myself, people poured into one of the new classrooms. It was painted white, ivory, sky blue and pink (school colours). The parents spontaneously broke into a big cheer started trilling and dancing and hugging us all. It was indeed a special moment. Tears welled up in my eyes to see what we had done meant so much to these wonderful people.
The students were also certainly entertained particularly watching themselves in the mirrors provided by Andrew (some had never seen themselves) and the photo montages and the pictures on the computers organized and shown by Abi and Karen and assisted by David and Norma.
Each child was provided with a pen and a notebook and the teachers received notepads and soap. Our gift, in turn, was the wonderful feeling we had in a small way helped. We also were reminded that money and wealth does not necessarily bring happiness. The people in Malawi, in spite of their hardships, are filled with laughter.
In the afternoon, a special sports day was organized. Each team – football(soccer) and net ball were given uniforms and balls.
The Mbidi girls won handily. Every time they scored, all of the spectators poured onto the field. In my opinion, the net ball was more exciting than the football and was watched by more students. We found out later Malawi has the top ranked team in Africa.
The football game ended in a 1/1 draw. All received prizes for their efforts.
As well as thanks, the speeches included specific messages about the importance of staying in school – only 35% complete primary school. The education manager asked the parents to not force the young girls to get married at 13 and 14 but have them stay in school. The speakers also stressed the need for a continuing focus on primary school, for new classrooms, more qualified teachers, books, teachers’ housing. I announced we would be providing each term an award (called the Rotary Award) for the top male and female students in each class. A condition was they must have 80% attendance.
Doug Stewart, a retired professor who taught the philosophy of education, was still fighting respiratory problems so instead of coming to the school met with members of the faculty of education at Chancellor College in Zomba. His view is they are on the right track but it will take an enormous effort to build the system, environment and infrastructure to the level it should be.
Certainly our efforts filled some of their needs but there are an estimated 95 primary schools in Zomba who need similar help.
On the first day, I had promised we too would sing. We sang the National Anthem, rather poorly. The studens followed singing the Malawi Anthem (very loudly) and much better. We redeemed ourselves with a song compiled by Julie (see below) and sung to the tune of “My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean”. It follows:
Song for Mbidi
Mbidi lies over the ocean
Mbidi lies over the sea
We came here to see it the first time
And many will come back again.
Chorus:
Bring back, bring back, oh
Bring back my Canada friends to me,
Bring back, bring back, oh
Bring back my Canada friends.
Mbidi has made us so happy.
Mbidi has made us so sad.
We wish we could stay here much longer
But we must return to our home.
Chorus:
Bring back, bring back, oh
Bring back my Canada friends to me,
Bring back, bring back, oh
Bring back my Canada friends.
We thank you for letting us join you.
We hope you have learned so much too.
We promise to keep you close by us.
Indeed we have learned so much too.
Chorus:
Bring back, bring back, oh
Bring back my Canada friends to me,
Bring back, bring back, oh
Bring back my Canada friends.
After the festivities, Norma and I returned to Kachere and gave them some clothes for the young children, a new bicycle pump and discussed ongoing future activity.
In my opinion, it was a very successful trip. Everyone more than pulled their weight. Andrew and Brian, with their carpentry, Prince, his technical skills, painting and ideas, Norma was the leader of the painting brigade and a teacher, David, his painting and agricultural know-how, Abi, her painting and work on the DVDs, Karen, her painting, teaching and bringing of supplies, Doug, his teaching and views of the educational system and Julie was a star painter as well as organizing the blog providing administrative help and of course, songwriting.
To be effective, we need a strong partner. We certainly had it with Emmanuel International. A special thank you to Paul and Helen Jones, Charles, Edgar, Alex and the people from Dignitas, Vanessa, Teffari as well as the teachers and staff at Mbidi. Thank you!
Except for Andrew and David, we left on Saturday morning – feeling rather sad to be going. Andrew is staying on for another 10 days and David is on a sentimental journey visiting some of the places he lived when he was a small boy.
We learned a lot, developed good strong relationships and helped fill some of the educational needs which we hope will be of benefit to the wonderful children of Malawi.
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