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Great news! 100% of the girls from last year's Form 2 class have passed their J.C. (Junior Certificate) Examinations.
More good news from APU. Not only have100% of last year's Form 2 class passed their J.C. Exams, but also, 7 APU Grads from the 2012 graduating class have been selected to attend the University of Malawi on full scholarship. This is up from 2 girls from our 2011 grad class! Memory and her team are truly miracle workers. There were 11,539 students who wrote the University Entrance Exam. Of these, 3805 were girls. 584 of these girls have been offered government scholarships. 7 of these girls came from APU! Congratulations APU students and their hardworking teachers!
Alinafe Phiri
Alinafe Talingana
Cetrida Chikwense
Alinafe Chibwe
Mirriam Chidimba
BACHELOR OF JOURNALISM
Mphatso Mkwende
BACHELOR OF EDUCATION SCIENCEAngella Alick
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CONGRATULATIONS APU GRADS
The MSCE Exam Results are out.
97% pass rate for APU Class of 2013!
97% pass rate for APU Class of 2013!
The exam results for the MSCE (Malawi School Certificate Examination) have just been released and APU students and teachers have reason to celebrate. The national pass rate for this exam was 52% while the pass rate for APU was an astounding 97% with 77 of the 79 girls who wrote the exam passing. These excellent results are even more impressive when you realize that half of the students in this class are scholarship students, coming from rural village backgrounds of extreme poverty with huge gaps in their educational background.
This is big news for our relatively young school. APU opened in 2008 and our 2013 grad class was just the third group of students to graduate from APU. Our first grad class of 2011 scored a 93% pass rate and the 2012 grad class had a 91% pass rate.
APU teachers are an incredibly dedicated team of educators. These results are a testament to their hard work, skill, and commitment to providing education of the highest possible quality.
APU class of 2013, your hard work has paid off. You are truly, GIRLS ON THE MOVE. Congratulations!
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A Letter from APU-MEF Board member Lori Messer, at APU
On Friday we went through the side gate of the school and into a different world. Memory and one of our sponsored girls visited the student's home in Nsaru Trading Centre. Unfortunately her mother was not at home but we did meet her 9 year old brother and 3 year old adopted cousin (the daughter of her mother's sister who died of AIDS last year). Her father died last year as well. He used to work as a gardener at APU and was well-respected. This was a second marriage for him and this wife is quite young. Unfortunately, after he died, she essentially abandoned the children and only returns periodically leaving the kids to fend for themselves. Their house is a typical one made of unbaked mud bricks and then plastered over to add strength as the sun dried bricks are not nearly as durable as the kiln-baked ones. It has an outdoor covered kitchen on the left and just inside the door is a pantry where food is stored; the containers looked pretty empty.
After my last email I was asked to say more about the differences between the world of Nsaru Trading Center and the APU school. I described literally stepping through the gate from one world into another. The contrasts are extreme. At APU the students eat three meals a day; in the village a typical family would eat twice a day. They would get up at dawn (5 a.m.), in order to be out in the fields in the cool of the morning, and return home for a meal round 10:30 a.m. when the sun becomes hot. They head back into the field late afternoon and work until dusk and eat their second meal after dark. Once the villagers have prepared and eaten their morning meal they would do their hores, the women hauling water from quite a distance, laying their hand-washed laundry on the ground or on bushes to dry in the sun.
At APU the students also wash their clothes by hand but their water is close at hand. They too lay their clothes out on the grass or on the fences or on lines.
In the poorest families, such as we visited, the children do not go to school. The youngest ones go to the fields on their mothers' backs. The small boys are often in charge of the goats and are sent out to find good
grazing. The girls go out in search of scarce firewood carrying huge bundles of it on their head. The women may take soy or maize to the local mill for grinding so that they can make nsima - their staple food.
APU students are fed a diet of nsima, rice, beans, fresh vegetables and fruits, fresh chicken & beef. Poor families seldom have access to meat. Of course there is no refrigeration and the meat we have seen for sale in
the markets is hanging in large pieces covered with flies. When a customer wants to purchase some they slice off a small piece. Some vendors pre-cook the meat. APU actually pays its field workers with maize. Many village men - especially the younger ones - seem to do little else than hang around the market. I gather alcohol is a problem for some and Henry protects those families by paying the workers with maize rather than money. He says many of them have no food in the house and what they earn in a day keeps their family from going hungry. Children without a family, like the one we visited, must forage for food on their own.
APU students sleep in beds with mattresses in buildings with electricity and plumbing. They have access to good potable water from the taps. The villagers sleep on the floor in rudimentary dwellings without power or
plumbing and draw their water from wells or rivers; the latter being muddy and mostly stagnant. It is a rarity to see a home with electricity or plumbing in any of the rural villages.
And lastly, although we have not observed a public school, it is my understanding that the discipline and rigour of APU classrooms, as well as the excellence of the teaching staff, is in sharp contrast to the village public schools where many of the classes are held outside under a tree, where classes are cancelled if it's pouring rain like it is today, and teacher attendance is sporadic.
That said, the school has had a profound positive effect on the village. More businesses have been started, more girls are attending school in hopes of being admitted here and the general local economy is quite improved.
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The Girls are Back
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| Eager to return to school |
From Lori Messer, volunteering at APU
It was not long after the sun rose on Sunday, September 6th that the girls began to arrive and they were still coming as the red sun began to sink in the sky. A long, long day for APU staff. Almost every staff member was involved in some aspect of the process.
Young men strapped bulging bags on their bicycles to assist the students coming by public transport, parking lot attendants directed traffic, and mothers balanced heavy suitcases on their heads down the pathways to the hostels. In the staff room everything was running like clockwork. Stations were set up around the room to accommodate every aspect of registration from fee payment to course selection. In another classroom, piles of fresh uniforms awaited first time students. APU is suddenly alive with excitement and promise.
As APU's reputation for excellence grows, demand far outstrips the number of available places. APU national exam results soar above the average for other secondary schools. Many graduating students are receiving college and university scholarships. The teaching staff is maturing into a strong team that is passionate about the APU mission. Memory's dream is not only successful, it is thriving!
Without the help of generous donors these girls would not have this opportunity to build a strong future. Thank you so much for your continuing support.
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Construction Update from Lori Messer in Malawi
South end of the building - which has the concrete poured and set. The supports look spindly but they are apparently really strong and can be reused.
Here are some of the workers:
This view is taken from the north end of the building looking south. A big load of supports arrived last week and they are busy constructing the cement forms for the rest of the building. Judging from how long it took to pour the first part, this will be a long process. They literally pour it from the cement mixer load by load.
Looking southwest.
Looking north east from classroom block 3.
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The Library and Primary School at APU
Dinna Mwale assists Tama to find a book in the new Primary Library. The library is located in a storeroom off the main library which also houses a growing Teachers Resource Library.
APU grads Dinna Mwale and Fydes Bosten have been volunteering in the library prior to beginning their next semester at Bunda College. In the past 3 weeks they have processed over 600 books! Dinna graduated in 2011 and is is in first year Agriculture Extension while Fydes graduated in 2013 and is in second year of Horticulture.
New at APU this year is the Student Library Assistants program. Ten students each volunteer one hour a week checking books in and out using the new card system, shelving books and doing other library tasks. Below Leah and Miracle stamp book pockets. In the background is librarian Mr. Vimango.
Library Assistants Alinafe and Wezzie keep the fiction section in good order.
Memory spends some quiet time trying out some new paints with a few of the primary children. The primary school is in the background.
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Meet the Grads
Ferister Kachingwe
Ferister graduated in 2014 and is pursuing a BSc in Horticulture at Bunda College. She is originally from Nsaru Trading Centre where APU is located. Looking forward to being "self-independent"' Ferister dreams of having her own business growing and selling fruits and vegetables and providing employment for other members of her community. She particularly liked the discipline of APU any felt protected and safe while at the school.
Fydes Bosten
Fydes Bosten graduated from APU in 2013. She is in her second year of a BSc in Horticulture. Fydes had ideas about improving crops when she was just a little girl but didn't think they were possible due to challenges in her life. When she came to APU she realized that not only were they possible but that she "had the strength and skills to accomplish her dreams". Patient and steady with a ready smile, Fydes is a natural mentor with the younger girls.
Ireen Harrison
Ireen Harrison graduated from APU in 2013. She is in her second year at Bunda College pursuing a BSc in Agriculture and specializing in seeding systems and crop production. Ireen eloquently describes how she has changed since she came to APU. "I didn't have a future before I can here," she said. "I thought I will marry, have a child, raise him and die. Now I speak English. When I have to speak in a group of people, I feel confident. I need to help those girls who don't know who they are in life. Ireen's dream is to have her own farm where she can apply her knowledge to run her own business and increase production by using more appropriate crops.
Racheal Banda
Racheal Banda graduated from APU in 2013. She is attending Bunda College in first year agriculture extension. Racheal attributes her confidence in speaking English and communicating and her ability to make decisions without relying on others to her years at APU. She is "especially looking forward to identifying and learning about the things that are impeding farmers from achieving maximum production". Her dream is self-employment; owning her own farm and employing others in a supportive working environment.
Dinna Mwale
Dinna is animated and lively with an easy-going manner. She graduated from APU in 2011. Since graduation she has attended teaching college. After a few months of practice teaching, she decided that teaching was not for her and is currently in first year Agriculture Extension at Bunda College. Her ultimate goal is to make a difference by "advising farmers on the upcoming technologies which will ultimately improve their lives".
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A poem by Leah Phiri
Leah, one of Lori Messer's library assistants, showed this to her one day. Lori liked it so much she asked her for a copy.
Work Towards Your Goals by Leah Phiri, APU student - Form 4
Your dreams are always yours
Fulfillments in your own hands
But if you want to live a regrettable life
Play now
Remember no one can tell you of what you want to become.
Your dreams are always with you
Just ask yourself how, when?
You can surely do it.
Do not be anxious of your dreams
But work towards them.
Your dreams are what you want to be in life.
If you dream without applying effort
Do not expect something to happen.
Remember there is no sweet without sweat
No harvest without planting
And so there are no achieved dreams without effort.
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Fun and Games at the APU Sports Day
Where could you see a teacher grab the back of a bike seat with his teeth, raise the bike in the air and carry it the length of the dining hall and back?
and then if that isn’t astonishing enough, where could you find a student who could match this feat?
Answer: at the APU School Sports Day! This feat was one of the highlights of a day filled with some familiar events, like the limbo competition:
a tug-o-war
and the old favourite egg and spoon race.
And some races that emerge directly from the local culture like the bucket race
and the water bottle race
Others where you wonder exactly what they’re doing
until you look a little closer!
Or you catch them looking hungrily at the fresh scones
that they have to rip out of the plastic with their teeth – hands tied behind their back
Gotcha!
But for all the excitement of all the events nothing beats the staff-student football game.
The staff team got all duded up and pulled in a few stringers.
The students looked confidently nonchalant about it all.
When the first goal was scored the entire student population streamed onto the field screaming and hugging everyone in sight!
and then just as quickly they danced their way back to the sidelines.
It was bedlam! It was a blast! What a day!
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Food for Work funding started
There is a food crisis in Malawi.
chuffed.org/project/apufood4work
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This blog has been discontinued. Read further news of APU Malawi at this link.
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Friend Development Committee Report, March 2012
Here's a summary of what's been happening over the past little while:
- 1500 people heard presentations by Henry Mdetseni (Project Manager at APU in Malawi) and Christie Johnson (Executive Director, APU-MEF Canada) during the month of February. Hundreds of these people are current or past donors who were very eager to receive an update about APU.
- Everyone who has contributed to the sponsorship of an APU student since 2007 received a letter of thanks that included, where possible, letters from their students and current pictures of their students.
- Everyone who has contributed to APU construction (including electricity, wells, etc.) since 2007 received a letter of thanks and an update about the school's progress to date.
- Every Rotary Club that has contributed to APU has received a detailed letter reporting on their contributions to date, an 8'' by 10'' 2011 Gradation Photo, and a carefully written request for further funding.
- Every Rotary Club that Henry and Christie visited has received a follow-up letter, including a request for funding.
- APU Photobooks have been distributed to Sheila Haywood, Anne McClellan, and the Interact Club of Dawson Creek.
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Lethbridge Rotary Club donates laptops
Tania Stilson from the Rotary Club of Lethbridge has managed to collect 67 laptops for APU. She has arranged for them all to be 'cleaned' for free and is now working on figuring out how to get them to Malawi.
Now we need to ensure that there is a classroom space to set these computers up in. Eventually the computer lab will be located in the Admin/TTCC (Teachers Training College Complex) building. Once the Science Lab is finished the computer lab can be set up in one of the currently used classroom spaces and the Science Lab (4 learning spaces) can be used as classroom space.
A HUGE THANK-YOU TO TANIA AND THE LETHBRIDGE ROTARY CLUB!
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Women Helping Women Fundraiser
Note: some photos removed as per request
On Sunday, June 3rd, APU graduate and Pearson College Scholar, Maness Samuel, and APU co-founder, Christie Johnson, attended the 2nd annual Women Helping Women Fundraiser in Victoria. It was a wonderful event hosted by an incredible group of women. Maness (right) spoke passionately about the urgent need for access to further education for her classmates, the APU graduates of 2011. This group of women has now successfully raised a total of $34,000 towards the construction of the APU Teacher's Training College. The first $20,000, raised last year, was put towards the construction of a hostel for the student teachers. The funds raised this year will be put towards the construction of a joint-use facility, the APU TTCC or Teacher's Training College Complex. This facility will include a library, a computer lab, learning spaces for APU student teachers, as well as administration offices for both the Secondary School and the Teacher's Training College.
Read more about Women Helping Women here.
Below: Christie and Maness and two enthusiastic junior fundraisers!!
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Construction Update at APU Malawi
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| Laboratory North View |
APU Project Manager Henry Mdyetseni and his locally-trained labour crew are working almost beyond their capacity to complete four parallel construction projects. Their goal is to complete these projects by Sept 2012.
The science lab, begun in 2010, is now 75% complete. The funds for the completion of this building were recently donated by a couple in Victoria who wish to remain anonymous. Our students and science teachers are eagerly awaiting the completion of this building so that they can enjoy learning science through hands-on experimentation in their new lab. In addition to donating towards the construction, this same couple donated an extra $10,000 to be put towards the purchase of science equipment for the lab.
Staff Duplex #3 is already 60% complete. This is incredible progress, as this building was only just begun in March. Henry and his team have been moving full steam ahead on this building as it must be ready by the end of August in order to satisfy the requirements of the grant that helped fund the building. The funds for this building have been provided by the Rotary Club of Lethbridge. Being able to provide APU's teachers with good quality housing will make a huge difference in APU's ability to attract high quality teachers who are willing to bring their families to the rural school.
Hostel #5, an $80,000 building, is now 80% complete. The first $20,000 for this building came from the fundraiser held last June by the Women Helping Women group in Victoria. This hostel will provide accommodation for student teachers at the future APU Teacher's Training College.
Finally, the most urgent and demanding project that is being tackled at APU is the installation of the third and deepest well, as well as the construction of a second water tower. APU has been suffering from a severe water shortage due to the fact that the original wells were not producing a high enough volume of water for the school's water needs. Three Rotary Clubs on Vancouver Island: Sooke, West Shore, and the Oak Bay Rotary Club, have donated more than half of the funds needed for this project. With this 100-metre-deep well in place, we know that APU's water needs will be taken care of well into the future. Thank you Rotary!
The science lab, begun in 2010, is now 75% complete. The funds for the completion of this building were recently donated by a couple in Victoria who wish to remain anonymous. Our students and science teachers are eagerly awaiting the completion of this building so that they can enjoy learning science through hands-on experimentation in their new lab. In addition to donating towards the construction, this same couple donated an extra $10,000 to be put towards the purchase of science equipment for the lab.
Staff Duplex #3 is already 60% complete. This is incredible progress, as this building was only just begun in March. Henry and his team have been moving full steam ahead on this building as it must be ready by the end of August in order to satisfy the requirements of the grant that helped fund the building. The funds for this building have been provided by the Rotary Club of Lethbridge. Being able to provide APU's teachers with good quality housing will make a huge difference in APU's ability to attract high quality teachers who are willing to bring their families to the rural school.
Hostel #5, an $80,000 building, is now 80% complete. The first $20,000 for this building came from the fundraiser held last June by the Women Helping Women group in Victoria. This hostel will provide accommodation for student teachers at the future APU Teacher's Training College.
Finally, the most urgent and demanding project that is being tackled at APU is the installation of the third and deepest well, as well as the construction of a second water tower. APU has been suffering from a severe water shortage due to the fact that the original wells were not producing a high enough volume of water for the school's water needs. Three Rotary Clubs on Vancouver Island: Sooke, West Shore, and the Oak Bay Rotary Club, have donated more than half of the funds needed for this project. With this 100-metre-deep well in place, we know that APU's water needs will be taken care of well into the future. Thank you Rotary!
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| Hostel - West View |
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| Southern View |
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| Hostel |
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| Trusses |
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| Teachers' House from front |
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