The Kawale School Building Project got underway last month when Ancient Path board treasurer, Martin Mtambo, traveled to Malawi on June 22nd. As the project manager, Martin had a busy week – meeting first with project architect, Billy Milimbo and then with various officials, education directors and teachers. Martin visited government offices at the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Finance at Capitol Hill in Lilongwe to request approval for waiver on VAT (value added tax) and DUTY on all building materials. (The VAT charge on all building materials is 16.5% but thankfully the waiver was granted!)
On June 27th, the official ground-breaking ceremony took place with TV Malawi present to report on the festivities.
In attendance were the District Education Manager for Lilongwe Urban, Dr. Martha Simeta, the Primary Education Advisor, Mrs. Lucy Chiwala, Mrs. Doreen Harawa the Head Teacher for Kawale Primary School, the Chief of Kawale Township, Parents Teachers Association officials and the school children themselves.
Various officials spoke, describing the shortage of classrooms and the pressing needs facing their school district while expressing their excitement and gratitude for this project. Martin, who was once a pupil at this very primary school, addressed the students, encouraging them to obey their teachers and work hard in order to succeed. As the manager of New Business Development at Bendix Corporation here in Cleveland, a successful businessman who just opened a family business in Lilongwe, Malawi and an instructor who also teaches master’s level courses at Baldwin-Wallace University in Berea, Ohio, Martin is an excellent and inspirational role model. He knows first-hand the challenges these children face, but he also knows how they can work to overcome them. A former classmate of Martin’s, who is now the Chairperson of the Parent Teacher’s Association, also spoke – expressing gratitude on behalf of the parents – and the excited school children sang and danced during the ceremony to show their appreciation. It was a great day!
We expect the project to be completed in 10 to 12 weeks and new photos received just today show great progress. Many thanks again to Knorr-Bremse Global Care for generously funding this project, to Ancient Path contributors and to the Kawale community for their enthusiastic welcome and support.
If you would like to contribute to the Kawale School Building Project click here
And many thanks to Martin M’Tambo – for inspiring us all!
