2025-08-14 Helen's Day

August 14, 2025

<<Previous Post: 2025-08-13 So Much to See>>

<<Next Post: 2025-08-16 Of Land and Laptops>>

The mission of the Home of Hope is, ‘From Infancy to Independence.’ Education is at the core of that. In Malawi, only Primary Education is state provided. Many, many families do not have the resources for young people to receive secondary education, which means they may stay in a cycle of poverty. Here at Home of Hope, all the children are able to receive free secondary education and then the option of vocational training. The number of students going on to university is also rising, with 12 students heading to university this year. We are privileged to be able to help them on their way with the gift of a laptop amongst other things.

These young people can go out into the world equipped to find work which could support a whole family and change their future. It is wonderful to hear of past students who are now working in fields such as healthcare, banking, tailoring and construction.

When I visited in 2023, our main focus for fundraising and support was the refurbishment of the Primary School. I met McBisias, the headteacher, and Patricia, one of the teachers. I myself was previously a Primary School headteacher. I was struck by the fact that despite some stark differences in context and environment, the everyday joys and challenges of teaching were exactly the same! Renewing those connections on this visit has been a pleasure. Meeting with Patricia, we talked about ways to support learners’ retention of knowledge and skills, and I have been able to fine tune some training I have prepared for those teachers who are here during the holidays.

Before: Primary School refurbishment work in 2023. Patricia Chataika is in the doorway

After

Patricia also shared her involvement in the ‘Mary’s Meals’ project (a charity founded in Scotland with the aim of providing the world’s most vulnerable children with a daily nutritious meal in their place of education). Patricia, who manages the delivery of the meals here, reports that attendance from children coming to the school from outside villages is greatly improved. If they are in school then the first barrier to learning is overcome!

Mary's Meals providing power-porridge! at Home of Hope in May this year

We also heard about the impact that Patricia has had on one particular learner. In Malawi, children move on to the next class only when they have passed the national exams for that standard. One of the teenagers here at Home of Hope who has had many challenges in her young life has struggled to progress in Primary School, repeatedly failing end of year exams. Patricia has worked closely with her over this year, giving her dedicated support. It is a delight to hear that this young lady has now progressed into the final standard in Primary School, and most of all is feeling more confident in her learning!

Individual stories like these tell of the dedication of the staff here at Home of Hope, to give all the young people a future of independence.

The teacher training I delivered was well received and it underlined the universality of teaching and learning. It was encouraging to see nods, smiles and laughter when sharing classroom anecdotes. However, that common ground contrasts with the fact that we had to scrabble around to find pens for the teachers to make notes. (No pens in a school?!) These teachers have a passion for providing the best education in a resource poor environment.

Senior Primary School staff with Helen in the staffroom

At the other end of Home of Hope’s education journey, we spent some time later in the day discussing the needs of the Vocational Training Centre. It was a delight to see faces light up at the sight of the 100 or so text books that had been brought from the UK (thanks to Ruth’s dedicated sourcing of the requested titles).

A textbook handover!

Vocational Training Level 3 - planning meeting, with Principal Liwewe and VTC staff

We learnt about the challenges for many of the students when pursuing their courses beyond Level 1 (which is delivered wholly on site), due to shortfalls in funding needed to support them while on required work placements during Level 2.

Level 3 qualifications are even more difficult to access as these are delivered at the National Technical College in the capital, Lilongwe, and need the course fees as well as accommodation and living expenses. The majority of students completing level 2 qualifications are keen to continue their studies, but the cost prevents them doing so.

The TEVET Authority in Malawi oversees Vocational Training standards.

We talked about the possibility of offering Level 3 courses on site at Home of Hope. There are many requirements to be met from TEVETA - the Malawian government body that oversees Vocational Training - and the many other barriers to overcome. The process could take several years, but as with so many facets of Home of Hope life, there is ambition and drive to overcome these hurdles and deliver on that mission - from infancy to independence.

A busy day for me! Elsewhere, of course, the team were engaging the children in various activities.