Stories from the field

How Kuwala’s Educational Trips Inspire Dreams Beyond Borders.

Kuwala students step out of their villages to discover new possibilities—gaining hands-on experiences in broadcasting, campus life, and history that ignite their ambitions for the future.

But like all good things, summer break eventually ends, and the school year is again upon us. The best way to transition into a back-to-school routine for over 200 students beginning to arrive at the Kuwala campus is to do just that: transition. Routines are the backbone of daily life. They facilitate teaching and learning.

Eighteen individuals from Canada embarked on the first service trip to Kuwala Christian Girls School, which included a week of activities on Campus, in the communities, and with NGOs and partners in Malawi.
Many subscribers followed our journey and activities through a daily video blog. Let’s take you through the highlights of our trip.

What started in 2023 as a strategy to improve students’ math grades ended up being a successful challenge with another secondary school close to Kuwala! Teachers launched the Mathematics Olympiad, a competitive exam that tests students’ concept mastery and mathematical thinking skills. The exams can be a good gauge for topics that need further revision.

The science lab is finished at Kuwala and is proving to be a state-of-the-art facility. It’s a science classroom uncommon in any secondary school in Malawi. Having a science lab at Kuwala puts the school at a better advantage, leading the way and being ahead of the public schools. 

Educational field trips are vital to enhancing the education of the students at Kuwala. Exposing the students to events happening outside of rural village life allows them to appreciate all the opportunities that are available to them and will enable them to think outside the box, ask questions, see, hear and touch surroundings that are different from theirs and encourage them to want to learn and achieve more in their studies.

Rural villages surround Kuwala Christian Girls Secondary School, and we are excited to employ so many people from the local surrounding areas, including security personnel, cooks, groundskeepers, a plumber, an electrician, teachers, a nurse and administration. Initially built on 30 hectares of land, the school campus has grown to over 60 hectares and includes gardens, orchards, a maize mill, a sports field, housing and many hectares of farmland.

There is a wave of excitement, laughter and smiles as the students return to Kuwala! The new Form 1 students arrived first to get settled, become acquainted with the campus and teachers and have a few days of orientation. Now, they are ready to shine!

The Form 1 and 3 students enjoyed a year-end field trip to Kabumba Beach on Lake Malawi. For many of these girls, it was the first time outside their rural area and to a lake. The bus trip was buzzing with many conversations and laughter, and the anticipation of the day’s activities was exciting.

Saturday, June 17, marked the Graduation Celebration at Kuwala, as the 26 students showcased their talents! Presentations of their poetry verses and spoken presentations highlighting the various subjects they studied this year also included the singing from the Class Choir and drama presentations of the girls’ career aspirations.

The Brook Family Maize Milling Centre opened, and the first villagers arrived to test it. Not only will the maize mill provide Kuwala with a means to produce flour to feed over 150 students, staff and workers, but it will provide much-needed relief to many surrounding communities that already support Kuwala.

When the girls arrive at Kuwala, their English is limited, but they quickly learn through guidance, teaching, and daily encouragement of oral and written practice. 

Time for some fun in February! Some students did not write exams and participated in a Sports Day with a nearby school. Our netball and football teams were ready to take on their opponents. There was a break in the rains, and the sun shone for a great day of activity and friendship building.

The New Year should signify the students’ fresh start and the beginning of Term Two. Malawi, however, is suffering one of the worst Cholera outbreaks in decades.

Kuwala students welcomed us with smiles, singing and laughter! The Campus shows school pride and expresses that everyone cares about the place they work and learn every day.

The school year is off to a great start! All four forms of students are eager, settling and adjusting to busy life at Kuwala. The first of many lessons is teaching the Kuwala culture. These girls are beginning to value the schedule and structure of daily life on Campus.

In October, Kuwala welcomed back students to the start of the new school year. The new students arrived on the Sunday before classes to settle into the Hostels. Smiling faces and the unloading of luggage spurred the excitement of meeting new classmates that would soon become new friends.

The first graduating class shared many academic accomplishments, spiritual growth and community-building accomplishments, and the campus marks significant improvements this year. In addition, we gathered a few reflective messages from the students on their past school year.

On Saturday, August 13, 2022, Kuwala Christian Girls School celebrated Graduation for the first class of 60! It was a Farewell Celebration for the girls, who will continue to study for their National Exams on August 30. The ceremony took place on the newly constructed football and netball grounds.