Temwa - Sustainable Community Development, Malawi - Opening ceremony at Sangano school

Sunday, 09 March 2008 00:00

With funding from the Nick Webber Trust, Temwa has completed the construction of a new primary school block in Sangano, Usisya. The opening day was a lot of fun and a great success.

To show their appreciation of the work Temwa has done and to demonstrate their enthusiasm the community of Sangano organised a day of events to celebrate the handing over of the keys to the school and community.

The day’s proceedings commenced at 10am with a belated tea and bread rolls breakfast followed by introductions. The event was attended by the school staff, the Group Village Headman (GVH) for the area, the Senior Group Village Headman (representing the Tribal Authority), the Primary Education Advisor (PEA) for the area, the Temwa Project Manager (Luke), the Assistant Project Manager (Jumbo) and villagers.

Following the introductions Jumbo took those interested on a tour of the site including the gender segregated double pit latrine. This was followed by the official handing over ceremony during which a number of speeches were given. The GVH thanked Temwa immensely for their work. He was particularly pleased as two major donor organisations had previously said they would build a classroom block at the school but had not been good to their word. The PEA went on to emphasise that the classroom block, while built by Temwa, was now the property and responsibility of the school and the community – a sentiment echoed by Luke who also thanked the Nick Webber Trust for their significant contribution to this project.

The school children had made a scale model of the block out of cardboard. This was handed from Luke to the PEA, to the GVH and finally to the Headmistress of the school. The school children and community members had also prepared a number of songs and short plays to celebrate the occasion which they performed in front of an appreciative audience. After this the invited guests were treated to lunch, for which a goat had been specially slaughtered! So ended the morning activities.

After a filling lunch everyone left the classroom block and headed for the local football pitch, to describe which the word ‘flat’ cannot be used in any sense. Here, after a brief bout of traditional singing and dancing, the gathered crowd witnessed a netball game between Sangano and a neighbouring school, and a footmall match between the same sides. Netball victory went to Sangano with ease but unfortunately, despite home advantage and a large number of chances, the opposition school clinched the football.

The day was very enjoyable for all involved and was satisfying for Temwa as the enthusiasm shown by the community shows not only that the work we have done is appreciated but that they will take pride in, and care of, their new building.

A view of the new school block