Here is a story of what life is like for most children:

Blessing was a twelve year old boy from a neighbouring village. He worked for his sister looking after her cattle. His sister provided him with board and lodging. His clothes were mostly second hand, brought into Malawi from Britain by a charity. Blessing was proud of these and Sunday, his free day, could not arrive soon enough for him to dress up for church and show off his "new" clothes and shoes. Blessing received the equivalent of £1.00 per month (about US$1.50) which was more than the going rate at that time for looking after cattle. With this small amount Blessing supported himself and his widowed mother.

Needless to say Blessing was illiterate as he and his mother could not find even a few more pence for his school fees. He was the only child living in the village that did not attend school. Saddened by his illiteracy he often lamented to his playmates that his illiteracy would be the death of him.

The good news is that primary school fees have been abolished in Malawi, giving thousands more children a chance to attend school. The bad news is that school buildings and facilities such as boreholes for water, sanitation facilities, have not increased in proportion to the demand.

Children are even advised to cut pencils in half to avoid the risk of losing the whole pencil! In Malawi children are really eager to learn and even the most basic of items are of real value in areas of extreme shortage.

Blessing missed out on his education but his children should not.Our project will offer the children of Malawi the opportunity for a brighter future.