Weekly Update from boNGO Malawi Program Director Justin Namizinga

[boNGO...@gmail.com]

boNGO MALAWI
Quick update 11
ECD
1. Assessment exercise is in progress at both centres, Umodzi-
mbame & Mango and is going on well. At umodzi have developed forms for
each child, baring, name of the child, activity to be assessed, how
has been done/ scores and teachers comments.
2. Had a successful observation tour to Chinansungwi instead of
Kuunika, it was a good visit, exchange of ideas, experiences and
everybody was encouraged by how their friends were doing and share in
the end.
3. Fortunately, met the UNICEF officials, who new about our visit
through SWO, because I did inform office before. They did thank boNGO
and its activities and that, they have been hearing a lot about us and
how we have grown from Umodzi-mbame to now boNGO. And promised to work
hand in hand and that one would like to visit us and discuss more
regarding ECD. I think this could also be a potential for proposal
development sorely for ECD. They later encouraged the participants to
work hard though its voluntary done. Among the UNICEF officials was
Chaliza, think Simone know her.
4. We are to share the observations once we meet for our one week
evaluation some weeks to come, what good did we take and not good nad
probably see the way forward.
5. The teachers altogether were 26 and enjoyed the trip(what a
discipline group, very exposed, ask questions where is due, interact
well & even beyond owners, share etc)
6. Personal comments, it was not as it used to be when I went
there in 2007 with APPM, things have gone down a bit, like the
attendance was very low, the teaching standards not impressed, though
they gave an excuse of low turn-up due to harvesting season, parents
are busy in the fields so they do not prepare their children to school
(nonsense). The other observation is that, they are too occupied and
have lost direction; hence the EDC program is not getting its proper
attention. They are doing lots of activities without direction &
focus, completely out of direction.

Children’s Corner:
1. They have been doing their academic activities and the
preparation for the trip to Upile children’s corner, where among other
things will play football, netball, drama, riddles and many more.
Every child has been taking part in the preparations and are happy to
be given this opportunity to interact, play, share with their friends
at Upile come Saturday, 4th of April, 2009
2. They will also be going for holiday , for some days to help
the parents and will continue if its properly agreed.
boNGO Forum
1. Had one last Saturday, and were 7 members only and discussed
further on some negative European cultural aspects which contributes
negatively to the development work. It was really difficult for the
members to come up with ideas and their research proved un successful
because hardly do not see these negative cultural aspects.
WHY?;;;;;;;;
2. They say, most of their cultures and traditions are not shown
clear when working with them and they tend to hide their true
traditions and cultures and also most of them do come from different
countries of different cultures. And when are here they just observe
us and work with us according to our culture and traditions BUT NOT
KNOWING THEIRS, and its difficult to see and observe these negative
aspects. They always see good intentions from white people, even field
officers from other NGO’s sees the same. Is it really a fact? Who
knows?
3. Is it true or false, and what should be done to know these
fellow cultures& traditions and integrate them well with ours in
development work? What would be the end result? Are the culture and
traditions matters most in development work? How? These are the things
to be discussed next meeting. How about dressing, way of talking,
presentation, perception? T o talk about them too.

David’s trip to Lilongwe: I understand had a good trip, managed to
discuss with newly elected NGO board, interact regarding our
certificate etc and managed too to meet the official from American
Embassy. More will come from him straightway, our only Managing
Director. Thanks Abambo.


NEXT PLANS;
1. boNGO weekly meeting (planning & reports)
2. M& E/ assessments & term end closing ceremony (OPEN DAY) 3rd
April.
3. Children’s corner trip to Upile/ Blantyre.
4. Start mobilizing resources and Materials for the evaluation
training.
5. Get to know plans for MDG’s club during holiday.
6. AOB.