News Update: Malawi March/April 2010

At first, there was disaster…………

The huge water drilling rig truck came to grief as it tried to cross the first of two bridges on its way up the road to The Australian Progressive Academy…its weight too much for worn timbers.

But the scene was soon cleared…..the bridges repaired and strengthened…

And the job done…..providing not only an abundance of onsite water for the school and its community, but also a huge additional bonus….a supply source to some three thousand households as well! Pipelines will be run out to access points to avoid congestion at the school.

The five - bedroomed single teachers hostel with its shaded verandah is now a great addition to the Academy too, not only providing onsite accommodation for teachers who’d been accommodated in the local villages, but also enhanced security for the Academy and its students.

All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, so says the saying. Now the Academy’s just taken delivery of football and basketball clothing and equipment and Pastor Rabson Chilewa took the opportunity to dress up as the goalie! We’ve funded the supply to equip and outfit the Academy’s teams.

The 50 girls boarding at the Academy are hoping that a tiled shower block and laundry facility might be the next items on the drawing board

Down the road from the Academy, the Australian Primary School at Nogwe also goes from strength to strength in the infrastructure stakes. Its newest two-classroom block’s just gone into much welcomed service….as has the female teacher’s house – a critical addition.

Less than 100 kilometres away, The Australian Secondary School at Kambona and The Australian Primary School at nearby Msema…between them catering for over 1,000 children. The AAFI has funded a week-long training seminar for the new incoming school committees.

Spreading the message:

AAFI founder Brian Haill, with wife, Marcia, left, and granddaughter Frankston High School student Corinne Deagan at a Rotary  award function in Frankston (Vic) in April…telling the story of the vitaL importance of education in Africa