Mission Outreach

St. Andrews Mission Secondary School is where I have been teaching for the entire time I have been here. In our last staff meeting we talked about what it means to be a mission school and how we can encourage and empower our students to embrace this role. Over the past few weeks it has been such a blessing to see our school join together to encompass this role and reach out to the community around us. 

 

The first step in our goal to expand our mission opportunity was the same step that most people face when planning mission work - fundraising. What is an effective way to raise money at a school with uniforms? Dress down day! For two weeks we had dress down days where the students could pay a small fee from their pocket money to forgo wearing their uniforms, and instead wear whatever they wanted for the day. Just as I imagine this would be very popular in any school in America with a uniform, it was equally as popular here in Malawi. It gave the students a chance to dress up and have fun a little, while still raising money for a good cause. After a few weeks of dress down days, we had raised about $150! 

The money that was raised then went to purchasing supplies to assemble care packages. These care packages would be filled with candy, a fruit drink, chips, and other snacks and taken to Mulanje District Hospital and handed out to patients. On Sunday, we all gathered with a car full of care packages ready to be handed out. After a student led us all in prayer we began to walk as a school community down the main road to the hospital.

All the students in their uniforms walked along the road. Not only were there just boarding students that stay at the school full time, but some day students took time out of their Sunday to come and participate in this school-wide event. When we arrived at the hospital the magnitude of just how many students and staff were present really showed. We all went into the pediatric ward, and because there were so many of us Lauren and I stood at the back and watched. Our students surrounded all the patients that were admitted to the ward, and we spent time singing and praying together. 

After the prayers and songs it was the students’ chance to give the patients the care packages they had raised funds to purchase. As a teacher I was so proud and touched by what I saw. The students smiled and interacted with the patients receiving the packages. They were so excited to be able to carry out the mission they had worked toward. As we were leaving the ward I witnessed one student talking to this very sick looking little boy; the little boy had not moved much the entire time we had been there. Before the student left, she reached into her pocket and pulled out a lollipop of her own and handed it directly to the little boy. I joined in smiling with both of them after witnessing this beautiful act. 

Being able to participate in our school’s mission outreach alongside my students made me once again so grateful for the experience of living and teaching at this school for a year. In the classroom I teach the students Biology, but they continue to teach me what it means to be a loving, faithful, giving, selfless person. This may have been the first organized mission outreach of the school year, but I speak for both Lauren and myself when I say, this school and the people associated with it have been teaching, changing, and reaching our hearts since the day we first arrived.

Meet the Teachers, Part Two

Mr. Chester Jeremiah started his education at Mlale Primary School in the Lilongwe district. He was then selected to continue his education at Mitundu Community Secondary School. After Secondary School he was selected to attend the University of Malawi, Banda College of Agriculture. While there he studied irrigation engineering. After finding out he studied to be an engineer, I asked him how/why he ended up being an educator. He responded saying: “A teacher is a catalyst in a developmental set up of a nation. It is a transforming discipline that changes the ways of thinking and perspective of the citizens. I have joined this discipline to help impart the much needed knowledge this nation is waiting to develop into the youth that are the leaders of tomorrow.” St. Andrews has been lucky enough to have Mr. Jeremiah as a member of staff for the past two and a half years.

Due to his background in Agriculture and Science, Mr. Jeremiah is a member of the Science Department staff. He teaches Mathematics, Agriculture, and Physical Science (Chemistry and Physics). He is an extremely hard working teacher. Recently after a study of student performances, Mr. Jeremiah was found to be the best teacher of the last school year. This meant that most of his students (96%) passed the subjects he was in charge of teaching. This is a wonderful accomplishment for both him and the students; it is also a proud moment for St. Andrews school. 

It is obvious that the students and staff both adore Mr. Jeremiah. After taking a leave of absence during Term Two due to illness, Mr. Jeremiah returned to thunderous applause. He has such a positive outlook for both the school in general and individual students. He will be the first teacher to tell a student that anything is possible as long as they have faith and work hard. He not only believes in all of his students but also in this school; he believes one day St. Andrews will be recognized as one of the top 5 schools in all of Malawi and he works hard as a team player to make this dream a reality. 

Mr. Jeremiah lives here in Mulanje with his cousin. He spends his spare time watching movies, swimming, and playing sports. His passion for teaching and his love for all the students and this school have been such a great example for me as a first time teacher. It is clear that the students and staff here love having Mr. Jeremiah here as much as he appears to enjoy being here.

Mr. Steve Malefula was born and attended public primary schools here in Mulanje. After his performance in primary school he was selected to pursue his secondary school education at St. Patrick’s Secondary School. He did well in school and was selected to pursue a Bachelor of Education (Science) at Chancellor College which is part of the University of Malawi.

Although teaching may not have been his first choice of employment, as his plans started to unfold he began to realize that it was truly God’s calling for him and he answered the call. Mr. Malefula worked at St. Andrews while he was still a student. He then was hired right out of College to join the staff here and has been working at the school for the past two and a half years!

Mr. Malefula is the head of the Science Department here at St. Andrews and manages and guides the other teachers in the department. He also teaches Biology, Chemistry and Physics within the department. Being so invested in this school has shown that he really has a passion for teaching and seeing his students succeed and learn. 

Mr. Malefula lives in the Mulanje area with one of his friends who works at a tea estate. He travels everyday to the school on a minibus. When he is not at school teaching, he enjoys spending time with his friends, and watching movies. I have enjoyed sharing some of my favorite movies with Steve over the months and talking about them after he has watched them. Mr. Malefula has been such a help to me as the head of the Science Department, he is always willing to help guide Lauren and me as first time teachers. It has been so amazing to have the opportunity to work alongside all the teachers at this wonderful school.

Meet the Teachers, Part One

This past week in the United States was teacher appreciation week. As I scrolled through social media I saw story after story about amazing teachers and the impacts they have on their students. In honor of teacher appreciation week, I am going to spend the next two weeks introducing you to the incredible individuals who I am blessed enough to teach alongside of here in Malawi at St. Andrews Mission Secondary School. They may not be my teachers per se, but I have certainly learned a great deal from them and appreciate all their wisdom, encouragement, and friendship.

Mrs. Mary Kalomba was born on June 26 in the Dowa District, and attended several primary schools before going on to learn at Dowa Day Secondary School. Once she completed her secondary school education she headed to and completed a nursing school program for a year before deciding that the profession was not for her. She then went to St. Joseph’s Teacher Training School, which she graduated from in 1981 and she has been teaching ever since!

Mrs. Kalomba joined the St. Andrews teaching staff in November 2015 after retiring from teaching in Government school for her entire career. When I asked her about the difference between Government schools and St. Andrews she said the big difference is class size. In a government school it would not be unusual for a teacher to have 100+ students in a classroom. Here at St. Andrews class sizes are about half of that. She also said she enjoys morning chapel here at St. Andrews. Mrs. Kalomba teaches Chichewa, English and also enjoys teaching Bible Knowledge. 

I am amazed by Mrs. Kalomba’s commitment to teaching. She lives with her husband and four children and two other dependents in Blantyre. She travels to St. Andrews by minibus for teaching (about an hour trip one way). Mrs. Kalomba told me that she has the less privileged at heart, and it’s her passion to help as many people as she can. That is so obvious by her commitment to this school and to the students. 

When Mrs. Kalomba isn’t in the classroom she has a small side business where she makes sausages and has a poultry farm. She also enjoys cooking, and we have had a good time exchanging recipes and talking about our latest cooking adventures together. It is obvious to anyone who encounters this wonderful woman what a big heart she has. Her smile is contagious and her passion and love for teaching is such a beautiful thing to witness. I feel so blessed to call her a colleague and friend. 

Mr. Lackson Andramu was born on August 25 at Mulanje Mission Hospital. He grew up going to Mulanje CCAP Mission Primary School before heading to Blantyre to attend St. Patrick’s Secondary School. He was raised by his mother after his father passed away when he was 12 years old. After secondary school he attended Domasi College of Education in Zomba where he received a diploma in Education, majoring in History, Theology and Religious Studies.

After receiving his Diploma Mr. Andramu began working in government secondary schools as a secondary school teacher. He did this for 36 years from 1976-2012. After he retired, he started working at SAMSS at the beginning of the second term of the 2012/2013 school year. He has now been teaching at the school for five years. In total he has been teaching for 41 years, non-stop; what a saint! He teaches History and Bible Knowledge mostly, but occasionally has a class of geography, life skills, or Chichewa.

When I asked Mr. Andramu why he decided to become a teacher he gave me three reasons. One: he was impressed and influenced by the way some of his primary and secondary school teachers taught him. Two: He believes in supporting the Malawian government’s endeavors to develop the education sector by teaching the youth who are the future leaders of this nation. Three: He enjoys interacting with both the students and the teachers he works with. 

Mr. Andramu lives in Musisi Village here in Mulanje where he built a house on a piece of land he purchased. He lives there with his wife Jerina and five of their seven children! His other two children are grown and living on their own. He has five boys and two girls. In his free time he enjoys chatting with members of his family, gardening, listening to the radio and going to church on Sundays (he is a member of the CCAP Blantyre Synod). Mr. Andramu is such a kind man. He always has a smile on his face which is so impressive with seven children at home. He is very patient with the students and is always willing to help them. He is a perfect example of a caring and dedicated teacher.