Weekly Update from Malawi Program Director Justin Namizinga

[boNGO...@gmail.com]

boNGO MALAWI

Quick update 10

ECD

Teachers Observation Training Outcome:

The following were observed as achievement so far.

1. Teachers are really practicing & trying boNGO ECD ideas,
noticed by the interaction, friendly, joy with the children during
their time of class work.

2. Most of the teachers participated fully by taking part in the
sessions, whether be supporters or teachers in all 4 classes practiced
at Umodzi-Mbame Model ECD center.

3. It has also been observed that our teachers at Umodzi are more
open and conversant to their fellow teachers where the feeling of
inferiority to the coming teachers is not there any more or that
Umodzi teachers are the best only, rather feel that all of us are
striving to do best to our rural children, by providing better and
quality education and care in a holistic way through this program

4. There was good coordination between coming teachers during
their time of classes, hence good timing and supporting

5. The attendance was great though it has been showering on the
first day of our training and had 49 teachers whilst the following day
had 52. Very positive indeed to the participation.

6. Children’s attendance also was good, first day had 69 and 77
second day.

7. Afternoons have been so productive in the sense that all
teachers were able to share their experiences, ideas, and challenges
when evaluating all the sessions done for the 2 day training. The mood
was very encouraging and everybody was open enough to share. That
where I see the uniqueness of the program, of which in the end
everybody did not want to leave each other, rather wanting to continue
discussing and sharing.

8. The program has also enabled different teachers from different
areas and background to really work towards one goal, through
encouraging, understanding, sharing, visits, learning and also that
there has been openness to each other and tolerance.

9. Teachers seems have accepted fully, the implementation of the
program and that they’re happy be part of it.

10. Very positive work as usual from Umodzi teachers, incredible
performance, especially Veronica & Mai Chatsama class, good games,
live class, coupled with good interaction, joy, name it, e.g.,
identifying & feeling game, children blindfolded, get the feeling of
an object, name it, say it to fellows and feed back in the sense of
happiness from the children, very happy (see one of the picture
attached & Other pictures for the training)

Challenges

1. To accept that each school does implement the ideas in
different way because of different aspects and problems encountered,
places where kids learn from, those schools which learn under the
trees are behind in terms of topics covered because sometimes were not
meeting, in other cases for 1/2weeks and more because of rains.

2. Need to put more effort to enhance monitoring and evaluation
to external CBCC’s, so that we can determine, understand, share
experiences, ideas in an ideal way right away in their respective
schools, regardless of the place where they learn from, areas they
are, problems they face etc and be able to come up with good
recommendations for further discussions in out meetings.

3. Issue of allowances, to be raised to at least k350 from
current k300. They do appreciate very much of what is happening now in
terms of allowance. To most of the teachers, this is their incentive
so far and are encourage with this effort from boNGO ECD program.

4. Building capacity to the committees working with these
teachers in our program, so that teachers are also supported in good
away and able to appreciate the services given to the children.

Children’s Corner:

1. School activities are going on well and that, other two white
ladies do come to work with the children, drama, some games & academic
activities

2. They have been weeding their sweet potatoes garden and its
clean, looks health plants.

3. They have assisted the teachers to produce more posters/ cards
toys for the pre-school children.

4. The attendance as of last Tuesday was 49.

5. Still the Dapp officer comes with his activities weekly & is
going on well.

MDG’s (Malawi Essays Reach the World

1. Have collected some of the essays, and will collect the rest
on Tuesday and will be given to David for Tereza to work on them.

2. Still meeting positively on agreed dates & good participation,
interaction too.

CONGOMA

1. Have invited for the first time with CONGOMA to participate at
its consultative and update meeting to be held at Lilongwe Hotel on
the 28th March, 2009.

2. It’s a good development so far, considering the recognition
itself, and the opportunity to interact with others there and share.

3. May be one of us will go, possibly David.

Fishermen’s rest pre-school ideas:

1. Shared with them about the appreciation and reasons behind it,
and they all seem to understand and promise to come back to me on
this. Waiting.

2. Feel for further steps and logistics will not be available for
them because will be so busy with boNGO stuff, and feel to lead them
to Ester (SWO) and also a good connection with them. Will see, & talk
to Kate, one involved more in it.

NEXT PLAN

1. Umodzi/Mango Term end assessment ideas sharing (M&E)

2. boNGO Weekly meeting (planning and reporting/updates)

3. MDG’s Essays collection/ continue

4. Teachers visit to Kuunika foundation (for inspiration,
experiences, learning opportunities & idea sharing) Umodzi teachers 8,
8 from Tiyende pamodzi CBO Centers (two from each center), 5teachers
from exterenal CBCC’s, one from each CBCC & AOB.