Another schooling altogether

This is Julius Nyere School in Mandimba. We visited because the pastor was concerned that children were dropping out of school through poverty - and St Mary's Church supports 70 students in the secondary school - he thought we might do the same for 30 younger children. In fact St Mary's School Hampton is likely to do this and develop a link with the school.

We were prepared for the poverty of the children (the ones in question will be orphans) but the shock was the poverty of the school. There are 871 children on the roll - they come in three shifts. So an 11 year old will get 5 hours schooling each day: the younger ones just three hours. Predictably the smallest a class will be is 50. There are just 2 classrooms of brick :they are still out of action after the rainy season earlier in the year. This building hosts two classrooms. There is a another which is just a roof and a blackboard. There are two toilets ; no running water and no hand washing facilities. And no electricity.

Needless to say the staff were overjoyed at the offer of our help. But what a challenge!