Joyful return to school in Malawi

Thanks to the generous donation of over £500 from his Art for Africa exhibition, Ray Mitchell and his wife Sheila have enabled two vulnerable young children to go back to school in Malawi

Brian at home in his small room

17 year old Brian Muleso lives in the semi urban village of Baluti with his two elder brothers. Brian’s father died when he 13 years old and since then his mother has struggled to care for him and his 4 siblings. Two years ago Brian’s mother was under so much strain that became unable to care for him so he moved in with his elder brother who works as a cleaner in the city of Blantyre.

Brian was selected to go to the local Secondary school, but unfortunately his brother was unable to afford the school fee’s and he was chased out of school due to non-payment.

In Malawi at the moment we are in what is commonly known as the “hungry season.” This is a season from November until April during which household maize supplies run low. Families are waiting for the rains to come so that they can plant more maize which they will harvest next April/May.

On the day I met Brian, he hadn’t had any breakfast, and he said at this time of year they mostly ate just once a day, in the evening.  And some days not all.

Brian tries to help out by getting odd jobs on building sites like collecting water and mixing cement and sand. But Brian wants to be back in school and thanks to Ray and Sheila in January he will start in form 1 at St Kelmon Secondary School. He’s looking forward to going to school again, his favourite classes are English, Maths and Biology and thanks to their incredible support he can work towards his dream of one day becoming a doctor.

Dorika and her grandmother in their two room home

Dorika Kamanga is 16 years old, she lives with her grandmother and sister in Manase, an semi-urban slum on the outskirts of the city of Blantyre. She is also going to benefit from Ray and Sheila's support.

Dorika was abandoned by her father when she was just three years old and her mother struggled for years to look after her and her two siblings. Unfortunately things came to a head for the family last year and Dorika had to move in with her grandmother as her mother was no longer able to provide her with even basic necessities, such as clothing, food and shelter.

Dorika lives in a simple two room house, we were accosted by a drunken man from the local pub on the way in and it was at this point that I realised just how vulnerable she is.

But despite all this Dorika is determined, and smart. Her favourite subjects are English, Maths and Biology and she would love to one day be a nurse. And thanks to Ray and Sheila's support she can start working towards that dream in January.

If you would like to sponsor s vulnerable child through secondary school, please get in touch with Heather on heather@joshuainmalawi.org.uk or by calling 01273 275713.