Sarah’s blog 21/6/22
We have been fundraising to build a school in the village where The Foundation is. There currently are not enough secondary school places and the nearest secondary school is too far to walk so the children have to board. Even though students pass their primary school leavers exams, if they don’t get picked for a place at secondary school then they can’t go. The children are desperate for an education as they know that a good education is key to having a better future. Education is the way out of poverty for these young people and their future families.
I did a challenge last month for the 31 days in May…. people generously donated to my fundraiser. There’s been £1,400 sent to Levison so far for clearing the ground and making bricks. If anyone wants to donate then the link is here https://gofund.me/ca9c1629 or you can email for our bank details to do a bank transfer. contact_us@changinglivesmalawi.com . We have lots more money to raise but work is about to start. Ground will be cleared and bricks will be made. The school, as it is obviously a big project, will be done in four stages. To start with, it will be for Standard 1 pupils who are supported by The Foundation and others locally who cannot afford to pay the fees to go to secondary school. Then year after year, classrooms for S2, S3 and S4 will be built. We are going to need a lot of support with this project as it is a big endeavour. However, it is every child’s right to have an education and we believe that everyone should have the chance to shine and be the best they can be. A school will bring employment and future self-sufficiency for a community.
There will be opportunities for you to give and have your name, or that of a loved one, written on the school. For example, a metal roof panel is approximately £30. If you bought a roof panel you could have your name, that of someone else, or a business name written on the roof panel (above and below). We are also going to be having another fundraiser in which you can be involved.
Today, one of the classrooms has been given a name…before it’s even been built! One of our lovely supporters and her mum used to sit and knit hats for the children to help keep them warm during the colder months. There are lots of knitted hats on the container that is currently on its way made by this mother and daughter team. Very sadly, the mum became ill unexpectedly and passed away shortly afterwards. All this lovely lady’s wool supplies have been donated to our charity to send to the knitting group at The Foundation. There will be some beautiful things made from the wide range of lovely colours of wool that have been boxed up to send.
At this lady’s funeral, the collection was split between three charities. This lady’s husband picked our charity as one of the three. He knew how much his wife had enjoyed making hats for the children and that their daughter also supports our charity. We are very grateful for this generous donation in memory of a lovely lady. Levison has said he would like the donation to go towards the school building and the family are very happy about that. Levison suggested that a classroom be called after her. As the family’s surname is ‘Bright’ the family have asked if the classroom could be called ‘Bright Futures’.
The futures of some of the most vulnerable children in rural Northern Malawi will be much brighter thanks to the Bright family. The name and memories of this lovely lady will live on and so many will benefit from the generosity of her family. Thank you to the Bright family for naming the first classroom ‘Bright Futures’. We are so sorry for your loss but we are grateful you have chosen to help provide a Bright Future for hundreds of vulnerable children through the new school. If you would like to name a classroom then please do get in touch. https://gofund.me/ca9c1629 contact_us@changinglivesmalawi.com thanks for reading, Sarah x