Temwa - Sustainable Community Development, Malawi - Temwa's Schools Engagement Project

Wednesday, 15 February 2012 17:15

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Temwa's Schools Engagement Project aims to raise awareness of the work we do amongst school children in Bristol. We are partnering local schools here with schools in the Nkhata Bay area of northern Malawi. The primary focus is on global education but there are also links to the current curriculum.

We believe that through our project, the schools can enhance their knowledge of each other's country and develop a meaningful friendship. During such turbulent times across the world, creating global citizens is important for the next generation.

We have met with four primary schools in Bristol. All of them are keen to develop a partnership with a Malawian school and see it as an opportunity to broaden their perspective of the world we live in. Our sessions also have links to the curriculum in subjects such as science, geography and citizenship, and develop general skills such as debating and communication.

On our first visit to each school, we do a presentation on Malawi during assembly. So far, all the children have shown great interest in this new and different place. The kids at Holy Mead Infant School were keen to learn about the language of Malawi and all enjoyed trying to pronounce basic Chichewa phrases. They were also very amused by the idea of catching their own supper from a lake.

We then return to each school to hold the first workshop. This session shows the children what life is like in Malawi by comparing their everyday experiences. One exercise called 'Photos from the Window' demonstrates to the children what the similarities and differences could be. Do you see trees, clouds and plants or aeroplanes, buildings and roads...? The children will also exchange letters and pictures, which allows everyone to get an insight into their partner school and its wider community.

The Schools Engagement Project is taking shape nicely; it is a great way for Tewma to become more involved in the wider communities of Bristol and Malawi, whilst increasing awareness of the work we do. Ultimately, we hope to help these children on a path to becoming the global visionaries of the future.