Blog 2: October 2020
As the coronavirus pandemic began to spread across the world, Malawi took quick action shutting it’s borders as well as it’s schools. This left many students, in their final year, unsure of how and when they would sit their final exams.
Students only began returning to School in Malawi from September 7th - starting with the exam years - Form 4 in Secondary and Standard 8 in Primary. These two year groups will be taking their exams later this term. For the Form 4 students access to school resources, learning materials and books makes a huge difference to their final outcomes.
Whilst our Songani centre provides valuable HIV testing and counselling, it also has a growing library of school text books, providing a valuable space for students to read and study.
We learned recently about Alfred who completed his Secondary Education and Form 4 exams last year despite various difficulties and the library at our Songani Centre played a big part in his success.
Children reading in the Songani Centre library
‘I started off for home and I thought that was the end of the road for me.’
"My name is Alfred Kamwendo from Masambuka Village around the Songani area. In 2018 when I was in the final year of my secondary education (Form 4), I got suspended from Dedza Secondary School. I was told never to come for classes but come back for final exams instead. I started off for home and I thought that was the end of the road for me.
The story changed when I arrived in Songani and I realised that there was a library at the Hope & Wellness centre. So, I ended up using the library and to my delight, it had some good books that are on the school curricula. I had the confidence that the books would help me pass my exams.
Alfred Kamwendo
I am so very happy because I have made it – I passed with good grades and I have been awarded a place at Chancellor College of the University of Malawi. I don’t know how to express my gratitude for what I have achieved through the library.
I would like to encourage my fellow youth to utilise the library – they should not take it for granted!"
We are well aware of the stigma still surrounding HIV, so our staff put on regular events and activities to encourage the local community to engage with the centre. This library is just one aspect of our multi-faceted approach to HIV education.
We are able to continue serving the Songani community thanks to the money you raise from your non-uniform days. Thank You!