Progress at The Youth Centre

On Monday, Tuesday, and today we visited with Margaret, Mr. Ngumbi, and Issac to see how things have been going at the youth centre. We are very impressed by the progress they have made. They have been teaching the children all sorts of skills like basketry and pottery. They have placed a strong emphasis on learning and practicing English. And our kids’ drama skills are said to be the best in town.

The staff files monthly reports with the Balaka Social Welfare Office, which oversees all social programs in the area. The Office has been very impressed by the quality of learning and activities taking place at the centre, and have commended The House of Many Stories as being Balaka’s best place for youth. The government has also asked our centre to represent the entire district of Balaka at a national computer-training course in Blantyre (the big city). This government program will train 3 youth from each district on how to use computers and how to teach others to use computers. At the end of the training, the government will donate three free computers to our program. Everyone is very excited by this development!

We have also started talking to the parents and guardians of the youth attending the centre, and have gained a lot of positive feedback. One woman had encouraged her grandchild to come to our program to enhance his English language skills. He had been failing this subject at school. After weeks of coming and interacting with the staff, he is now the #1 English pupil.

We are spending the rest of this week (and some of next) evaluating how the last 6 months have gone. We’re working with the staff, the children, the parents, and local educators. The heat here in Balaka is heavy, making the walk from one side of town to another a challenge. But we’re adjusting as best we can, and are making the most of our days here. Will write more soon.