Education
1. Education buildings
Our challenge in Malawi for the past years has been to improve education in the poorest areas of the country. To achieve this goal, we have refurbished and improved the infrastructure of several the public primary and secondary schools in the Dowa area. We have also created two new secondary schools from scratch. On each trip we visit all the schools that we have been helping over the years, and hold meetings with the educational community and parents to find out about their needs.
2024-2025
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Completion and inauguration of classrooms in Valitzani thanks to the Manuel Lao Foundation
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Construction of teachers' houses thanks to the money raised at the Active Africa 20th anniversary concert
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Inauguration of a library, a laboratory and a water system for students and teachers at the Kafumphe secondary school, thanks to Mango and Gandara Foundation
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Building of a laboratory and a library at the Chankhungu secondary school thanks to Mango
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Start of a new library project for several schools
Laboratory under construction for the Benga school
Inauguration at Kafumphe
Classrooms under construction for Chimwangombe
2023-2024
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Inauguration of the Student Residence in Chezi, financed by the Gandara Foundation.
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Construction work on new classrooms begins at the Valitzari School.
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Construction of a library, laboratory and water pipeline for students and teachers at Kafumphe secondary school.
Student Residence in Chezi
New classrooms at the Valitzari School
2022-2023
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Work continues on the new hostel-residence for secondary school boys in Chezi, thanks to the GANDARA FOUNDATION.
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Building of a new classroom block at Kafumphe Secondary School, a project sponsored by MANGO.
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Construction of latrine blocks at Kaphumfe Secondary School, sponsored by AUARA through AVEDA.
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Building of teachers' houses in Chankhungu, thanks to Fundación GANDARA and ROVIRALTA.
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Kafumphe School Latrines
New classrooms at Kafumphe
2021-2022
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Building of a laboratory and library at Chimwang'ombe School, currently under construction. Funded by the Barceló Foundation, the Roviralta Foundation and MANGO.
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Construction of a residence for secondary school students in Chezi, by the Gandara Foundation and funds from the Association.
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Inauguration of a block of classrooms at Mtenje Primary School.
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Building of houses for secondary school teachers.
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Chimwang'ombe School Library
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Chimwang'ombe Laboratory School
Chezi boys' residence
2. Scholarship program in Malawi and Kenya
As a result of our support for education, we created our SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM, through which we finance the studies of teenagers who, for several reasons, deserve help to continue studying. This is the best investment for a better future and has become a great incentive for these children without resources.
This programme is our essence and the one in which we work the most. We believe that education will serve to improve and change the lives of many young people, both individually and as a society.
In MALAWI:
Our scholarship programme in Malawi began with the aim of providing educational opportunities to talented and disadvantaged young people in the Dowa and Kanyenje areas. Each year, we award two scholarships per primary school (one girl and one boy) and extend our support throughout their secondary and higher education.
Over the years, we have reached other areas of the country, benefiting more than 3,200 young people in secondary school and university in places such as Lilongwe, Blantyre, Mzuzu and Nkhotakota.
In addition, we offer scholarships to students in extreme need, recommended by trusted people. Our goal is to empower young people to fulfil their dreams and contribute to the development of Malawi. Over the past 21 years, we have seen these young people complete their studies and begin their careers, bringing about positive change in their lives and in society.
**We are grateful for the sponsorship of the Gandara Foundation, the Maite Iglesias Baciana Foundation, Martiderm, Zikkomo, the Cejudo-Mercado family and other people who cover the cost of their studies.
University students thanks to the Gandara Foundation
Secondary students for the scolarship program
Girl sponsored by MartiDerm
University students at Lilongwe
In KENYA:
On the other hand, in Kenya we are providing scholarships to many young women through programs of the Kianda Foundation and with the sponsorship of the Maite Iglesias Baciana Foundation. This is a successful project that has improved the lives of many women in the most vulnerable areas of Kenya.
3. Other projetcs
Fundació Barça
Thanks to the Barça Foundation, Active Africa and our partner Mawa NGO have launched a new project in Malawi based on the creation of Youth Clubs within secondary schools in Dowa.
These clubs are intended to be spaces for complementary education, where young people can learn the values of sport and raise awareness about human rights and children's rights. These values are promoted through SportNet, a socio-educational methodology for social intervention based on sport, cooperative games and physical activity as tools for social integration to improve the lives of children and young people in vulnerable situations.
The specific actions carried out are divided into several areas:
1- Training in human rights and the creation of safe spaces where young people can interact and speak freely.
2- Workshops on best practices in the field of health and how to improve hygiene and sanitary conditions by local healthcare personnel. Among other things, the sexual and reproductive rights of young women are promoted, and boys are also made aware of the issue in order to reduce the high rates of teenage pregnancy in Malawi.
3- Together with Mawa, we are implementing the creation of vegetable gardens and training in regenerative agriculture with the aim of guaranteeing food security for students now and in the future through the acquisition of environmentally friendly techniques.
4- The various Youth Clubs in schools will work to make sport an accessible and inclusive activity for everyone, with a special focus on the participation of young girls in sports activities traditionally reserved for boys.
We know that through projects like this we can make a big difference in the lives of these young people, which is why we are very grateful to the Foundation and our teams who make it possible.
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A female team just before a football match
Agriculture training at the secondary school of Chimwang'ombe
Distribution of menstrual hygiene kits to teenage girls members of the programme
Members of Mawa and Active Africa kicking off the Barça project with the local team
Human rights training workshop
New library project in secondary schools in Malawi
We are very excited to have embarked on a new project in three of the secondary schools we have helped to rebuild: Chimwang'ombe, Kafumphe and Chankhungu.
Our work began some time ago with the construction or refurbishment of the libraries that the three schools already had, but which were in need of renovation.
Then, in August, we took a further step by providing training for teachers so that they could learn to be good librarians, with courses given by members of the Malawi National Library. Their collaboration has been essential to the success of this project.
The third part of the project is to provide the necessary materials and books so that these libraries have everything they need to fulfil their function.
This is a very important programme for improving secondary education, as it will provide students with more and better resources to expand their knowledge.
Once again, we would like to thank the Gandara Foundation for helping to provide the means to make this happen.
Sponsorships
Our sponsorship programme allows people in Spain to contribute monthly or annual financial aid to support the children at the Chezi orphanage. Thanks to this collaboration, we can guarantee that these children receive:
- Education: Access to studies and opportunities to develop their skills and knowledge.
- Healthcare: Medical care and attention to their health needs.
- Food: Access to adequate and healthy nutrition for their growth and development.
This programme makes a difference in the lives of these children, enabling them to reach their full potential. It is a simple and meaningful way to help: even a small amount for them means a radical change in their lives, full of opportunities and hope.
If you would like to participate and sponsor a child, click here.
Boys from St Joseph's Hostel, many of them sponsored
Chezi orphenage
Lchekuti Night School
Tuum and Barsaloi are two small villages in Kenya, located about 500 kilometres from Nairobi. They are arid and difficult-to-access places where the Samburu and Turkana tribes live.
Challenge: The scarcity of rainfall means that herding is the main activity of these tribes, so caring for the herd is a priority and falls to the children considered most intelligent. The children spend their days tending the livestock and are unable to attend formal school.
Solution: Lchekuti offers evening classes from 7 to 9 p.m., tailored to the needs of shepherd children.
The educational programme includes:
- Reading and writing
- Swahili and English
- Religion
- Basic science and mathematics
In addition, a nutritious food called UJI is provided to combat malnutrition, and the children's health is monitored.
As a result, children can access education and develop basic skills to function in society. The programme helps prevent illiteracy and improve the quality of life of students and their communities.
