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.