SIBFORD SCHOOL DONATION ENABLED THIS SCHOOL KITCHEN BUILDING.
The building in the photos was built from money donated by the staff and pupils of Sibford School in Oxfordshire, England. Sibford School and the Nchima Trust have developed a strong relationship over the past few years and the School has donated generously to specific projects which they have been able to see come to fruition. This particular project is a kitchen building at a school which enables the school to provide lunch for pupils. This is more important than it seems. Pupils traditionally went home for lunch and in particular the girls then had to remain at home to perform household and gardening duties, thus preventing them from studying. If they did not go home and continued to study they were doing so on empty stomachs. The implementation of this project is clearly an example in the area (see letter below) and academic results (again for girls in particular) have improved as a result of this project.
Here follows a more detailed account of the good feeling generated by the project. Fortunately, the son of 2 Sibford teachers and a friend were able to attend the opening during a visit to Malawi.
Dear Penny and Mike (teachers at Sibford),
Again thanks so much for your great contribution to make the girls study project such a success. Mr. Chimwenya tells me that headmasters of different secondary schools are sent to his school by the regional education officer for a visit and discuss the issue of girls study support with him. So the impact of the project is very real. The importance of the project is as well measured in the accepted invitation to the function from the TA, the Traditional Authority, 6 chiefs etc., the social welfare officer and the Educational Division officer of the government. It is considered as an important event in the area. A letter has been sent to thank you. I shall bring it with me to the Nchima Board meeting end September.
The original budget covered the cost of the building materials, construction and labour.
The total was MK 223,000.00 (about £1,125 or $1,600)
The additional budget is as follows:
2 bags of lime to whitewash the walls MK 6500
15 Litre Black oil paint for the foundation skirting and the benches MK 13,500
10 litre white paint inside painting MK 9000
5 litre blue paint for benches and lettering MK 4500
20 litre brick sealer Mk 4000
4 padlocks for the doors MK 4.200
4 tower bolts for locks MK 1600
Transport costs Luchenza (lorry for roofing etc)Ntamb. MK 10 000
Transport small material Thyolo to Ntambanyama MK 2000
Extra labour charge fixing doors, painter building
Letter painter, foundation and flooring of the sitting area. MK 29,300
TOTAL MK 84,600 (£400 or $600)
The doors have been made by the carpentry school leavers project at the Nchima Trust Community Centre and given to the project. The cost of the function and the presents for the Traditional Authorities (compulsory), teachers, performing girls, chairman school committee and builder are courtesy of the Nchima Trust. The decision to paint the building will protect the building from damage during the heavy rainy seasons in the Thyolo area. I hope you agree with this decision.
It was a good project to follow up as it was well monitored by the school staff and School committee. I hope you feel as proud as the Trust, the school and the girls do. The presence of Isaac, representing Sibford school and Ellie was an important contribution to the participants.
ZIKOMO KWAMBIRI, (thanks you very much)
Jeannette Heikens
(Nchima Trust, Malawi)