May

27.2022

Mastering English at Kuwala

Mastering the English language is necessary for success. English is considered the most important subject on the National Exam in Malawi. For students in Malawi to have the opportunity to consider University, they must have strong English language skills.

For Kuwala’s students to have the opportunity to consider university, they must have strong English language skills. Essay writing has become a great teaching tool at Kuwala. The teachers choose from various topics, and the students formulate a story and then write an essay. The instruction improves their English language, grammar, punctuation, expressive tone, and challenges the students to construct a well-written essay during the thought process. Debate and Writer’s club also encourages students to master the English language successfully across content areas.

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The Form 4 students at Kuwala had the opportunity to join in a presentation offered by Unicaf University.

Unicaf University is a pan-African, independent, internationally recognized University combining the best elements of online learning by providing high-quality academic qualifications. In addition, they offer a variety of courses, including financing, accountancy, and ICT. Our students were encouraged to work hard and were offered the opportunity for additional computer lessons after Form 4.

One of the topics of interest was” The Importance of Debate and Writers Club on Education.” Three of our Form 4 girls were recognized and awarded a Unicaf package of items for identifying their top-three status at Kuwala. Congratulations to Mervis, Tamandan, and Tisangalale.

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Student profile

Meet Bertha, in her own words…

Hello, I come from a family of 5 sisters and one brother. My family and I was so happy to be accepted to Kuwala, as I want to go to university and dream of becoming a nurse. My favourite activities at Kuwala is learning English, planting trees, computer skills and science projects. I also enjoy playing volleyball, praying, bible study, singing gospel songs and storytelling.

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Teacher profile

Meet, Christina Mkumbwa, in her own words…

I teach History, Social Studies and Life skills. I am also involved in the extra-curricular activities at Kuwala, football and outreach work. A widow raised an elder brother and me, went to a girl’s secondary school, Karonga TTC and later joined Mzuzu University on a student loan to study Bachelor of Arts Education, graduating with a Humanities degree.

I am impressed at the working conditions, professional and experienced teaching staff, and students’ behaviour at Kuwala as it provides a professional environment for teaching and learning. The students have potential; they are hardworking and have an excellent spiritual background. Academically, the girls can thrive as they are willing and accept correction. The students need to be harnessed and cultured to acquire explicit knowledge of their career goals. They will become responsible citizens who will impact their communities positively.

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Oh Canada! High Commissioner to Malawi arrives.

Kuwala warmly welcomed a visit from Caroline Delany, Canada’s High Commissioner to Malawi (her portfolio also includes Mozambique and Eswatini). Our team in Malawi provided a tour of the campus and the grounds. The students and teachers assembled in the St. Peter’s Assembly Hall and sang Oh Canada in English at the end of the tour. Canada and Malawi maintain positive relations anchored in cooperation for development.

The programming focuses on issues of human dignity, mainly supporting projects regarding maternal, newborn, child health, and a long-standing working relationship with the Malawi Defence Force. In 2019, two-way merchandise trade between Canada and Malawi totalled $14.8 million.

Source:

https://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/ci-ci/index.aspx?lang=eng

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Climate resiliency at Kuwala

One of the greatest challenges with climate change is its intangibility. The scope is massive and many of the most noticeable impacts are far removed from our daily lives. North America is the second-largest per capita emitter of greenhouse gases attributable to climate change. The lowest emitter by the same metric is Africa. While we are one of the largest contributors, we are not impacted as severely as in countries like Malawi.

Malawi faces several challenges that increase its vulnerability to a changing climate, including high population growth, dependence on rain fed agriculture, high rates of malnutrition, HIV/AIDS, and inadequate power supply. In addition, extreme climate and weather events such as the increased frequency and intensity of drought and floods and higher temperatures negatively impact agriculture production, fisheries, wildlife, and forests. The effects stress food production, income, fuel, and other environmental services to vulnerable populations.

The World Bank hosts an online climate portal on Malawi’s climate history and projections. The source indicates there is evidence that global air temperatures are changing and fluctuating with time. The general trend shows a continual increase in mean air temperatures across Malawi. Extreme weather events, especially floods and droughts, have also been increasing in intensity and frequency.

The Kuwala Campus has not escaped the effects of climate events such as power outages and nearby roads washing out due to flooding. However, the surrounding villages around Kuwala has seen the most significant impacts, including food supply interruptions, loss of trees and land degradation, severe health issues, loss of sanitary water, and increasing poverty. While Kuwala has been remarkably resilient, there is still risk; the Climate Resiliency committee at Kuwala will explore measures to reduce the impacts of these trends. Future discussion topics will centre on energy security, food supply, water management, campus biodiversity, waste management, and emergency planning. Keep reading our newsletter as we continue to plan and implement new ways to improve resiliency to climate change at Kuwala.

Sources

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Construction updates

The completion of the second second staff house is well underway, and one of the teachers will move into the house. The second class block has three more classrooms, and the walls and doorways are being constructed. The first duplex foundation is complete, and the construction workers have begun raising the walls. This duplex project will house two additional teachers.

The second funded duplex will begin construction in the middle of June; the two duplexes will accommodate four more teachers. Living on campus provides enormous incentives for Kuwala to attract and retain highly experienced teachers. In addition, Kuwala offers a fantastic campus experience with good food and high-quality permanent construction and eliminates the long commute from the surrounding villages.

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Debating and school trip

The Patron of Debate and Drama Club arranged with the students to visit the Kasiya Community Day Secondary School to debate some topics on Monday, the 16th of May 2022.

The debating topics were:

1. Is it good to involve girls in the civic education of gender-related issues?
2. Does democracy have any impact on community development?
3. The Government of Malawi has been advocating for women’s empowerment for almost ten years. Has this brought any progress in the socio-economic development of the nation?

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Save the date, Thursday, June 16

Kuwala Christian Girls School is preparing for the 2021 Annual General Meeting.

This year’s meeting will be presented LIVE, with the option to join online or in-person; registration to follow. The invitation will be coming out shortly for you to register. The AGM booklet will be available on the 15th of June on the website (under Operations) for immediate download before the AGM meeting.

When: Thursday, June 16th, 2022
Where: St. Peter’s Evangelical Church
65 Walnut Street, Winnipeg, MB, CANADA
Time: 7:00 pm CST
Fellowship to follow for those attending in-person

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