Andiamo Secondary School Students celebrating after the completion of the borehole
Girls at Andiamo Education Institutions will have all the reason to smile as Alberto Sidio and Zitsime team finally completed drilling the borehole at their hostel premises.
Drilling of the borehole which has taken 8 days to complete. This was the second borehole in the compass. The drilling of the boreholes has been made possible with the support of OLTRE CONFINE ONLUS.
She is the only female teacher at Andiamo Secondary School. She believes that if a girl stays focus and dream in colours, she can do any job that men do. Andiamo Website Office had a chat with her in our Get to know our new teacher column.
Yasinta Antonella Munlo
Can you introduce yourself please
I am Yasinta Antonella Munlo, a third born daughter in the family of five children; two males and three females.
Your education background
I did my primary education at Kapalamula primary school, then I was selected to Saint Mary’s Girls Secondary School. Afterwards, I was selected to study Bachelor of Arts in Education at Mzuzu University and as of now, I am just waiting for the results to get my Bachelor in Arts probably in August.
What made you choose this career path?
Ever since I was young, just like any other kid, I had my aspirations. I really wished to be an independent woman and professional. I had a different career other than being in education. However, I came to believe that we just make plans but it is solely God who holds our destinies. Then, I found myself studying Arts (education).
How do you feel being the only female teacher among men at Andiamo Secondary School?
Being the only female teacher at this school is quite challenging but interesting at the same time. Am always happy to be in this kind of staffroom because I am learning a lot to work with men.
For the short period you have been at AEI, what can you say about the place?
AEI is a warm and friendly place. I like the place because of its hospitality.
What can be your advice to girl who want to be like Yasinta Munlo?
For the girls, I only say be focused, determined and dream in colours. It is good to be an educated lady.
The name John Martin is not new to those who read news on tidzala blog about “Get Up Stand Up Project”. John comes from Mulandula Village in Group Village Headman, Toleza in Balaka.
John MArtin (left)
He has been working at Andiamo Youth Cooperative Trust (AYCT) in Agriculture section of the Cooperative. He started with Chimanga Project in 2002, a project which was being funded by Italian based organization RC Ricercae Cooperazione Associazione Notai Di Bergamo Onlus where he was working as a field assistant.
“That time we were only working with Andiamo workers helping them with farming skills and giving them farm inputs loans before we started working with farmers in surrounding villages. My job up to now is to visit fields of our beneficiaries, strengthen the relationship between farmers and the project and also reporting to the Project Coordinator on how the situation is in the fields.”
John worked with Chimanga Project for 3 years and 6 months before the project operations in the country expired. After AYCT noticed his dedication, effort and his experience in agricultural activities, John was asked to work with Get Up Stand Up project as an agronomist.
John Martin a father of two, says that although he did not go to college to acquire skills in farming after he failed his Form 4 Exams, the period he worked with Chimanga Project helped him to have enough skills and knowledge in farming different types of crops including local and hybrid seeds.
One of the trustees of Andiamo Malawi Association, Valeria Giassi arrived in the country today 15 May 2012.
Valeria who is also Human Resource Coordinator for Andiamo Education Institutions (AEI) and also a Project Coordinator for Tigawane Project for street kids, arrived with Anna Maria and Laura from Italy.
Fr. Mario (left), Laura (centre) and Anna Mario
The three were welcomed by AYCT Director, Andrew Galeta, Andiamo staff and AEI students.
Anna and Laura comes from the same village with Fr. Mario Pacifici a founding trustee of Andiamo Youth Cooperative Trust in Entratico.
Valeria left the country in December 2011.
Welcome back Mayi Vale! Welcome Alendo!!
Andiamo Bullets, a football club under Andiamo Youth Cooperative Trust, has fired several players on disciplinary grounds and some new players have since joined Andiamo Website Office has learnt.
The new Andiamo Bullets captured at Comfort ground
“They have been fired after being called to disciplinary committee for several times but their behavior has failed to change as was expected. We will miss them in the squad though,” expressed one of the players Mayamiko Taferakaso.
Mayamiko says that although good players like Grastin Gama, Francisco ‘Baggio’ Mkanda and Bannet ‘Banzo’ Chitseko are some of the players axed, supporters of Andiamo Bullets should not get worried because new players from other local teams have joined the club.
Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (MERA) has announced the new price increase of fuel and electricity with immediate effect from 11 May 2012.
The price of diesel has been adjusted from K360.00 to K470.00 per litre while the price of petrol has been increased from K330.00 to K490.00 per litre. People in rural areas will need to pay K171.00 to buy a litre of paraffin.
According to MERA, the price of electricity has risen from K9.83 to K16.06 Kilowatt per hour.
Meanwhile, bus fares will go up by at least 30% from Saturday, 12 May 2012.
The new fuel prices have gone up following the announcement by the Reserve Bank that the Malawi Kwacha has been devalued by 49%.
Get Up Stand Up Project on Wednesday held a meeting with chiefs of 17 groups on the project future after 49% devaluation of Malawi Kwacha.
Speaking during the meeting, the project Coordinator Henry Goster, told farmers to expect an upward price adjustment of farm inputs this year. In his address, Goster pleaded with farmers to make sure that they pay back the loan in time so that preparations for next purchase are made in time.
“We are very much concerned with the development because the agricultural sector will be affected by this devaluation,” said Henry Goster
Yotamu Mkandawire, one of the beneficiaries who attended the meeting, thanked the project for informing and explaining to them about devaluation.
“As people who stay in the villages we don’t know about these things and how they affect us. It is also our hope that well-wishers will help this project to succeed so that other farmers can have access to the loan,” said Yotumu.
The Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) on 7th May, 2012 announced that it has devalued the Malawi exchange rate from 168 to 250 Kwacha per United States Dollar.
Daveh Mwale Pabros is one of the talented artisans who is surviving everyday through painting. Andiamo Website Office had an interview with him at Andiamo Art Studio.
Daveh Mwale Pabros
Who is Daveh Mwale Pabros?
Pabros is an artist who does painting as a career. A married man and has five children.
How did you start painting?
My interest in painting started developing when I was in form two in 1995. After completing my secondary school, I was doing some paintings and sell them to tourists in different lodges in Chitheche. Before joining Andiamo Youth Cooperative Trust, I worked for several organisations including Banja La Mtsogolo, Toyota Malawi and Chipiku Stores.
Without any qualifications in painting, how were you able to get the job?
Companies were just coming to me asking if I could do the job for them. I was born in Nkhata bay one of the districts along the lake shore where I was doing my art, so my name was everywhere because of my painting. My paintings helped me to get good job without proper qualifications.
What does your job involve?
I do any type of painting and sign writing like portraits, fine art, sun writing and batiks. In short I work on anything about painting.
As an artist, what challenges can you point out that are affecting your profession?
Lack of support because for us to buy brushes and paints we need a good capital and travel to areas where are frequently visited by tourists. Only a few Malawians buy our paintings and this is another big challenge because we lack support from our fellow Malawians.
Whom do you adore most?
I adore John Mwantenga who started painting since I was young. Now he owns a gallery in Mangochi. His artworks really impress me.
What can be your advice to those who want to be like Pabro?
Be creative and work hard on what you want to be.
As one way of creating a sustainable future, Andiamo Education Institutions (AEI) is recruiting new teachers for Andiamo Secondary School, one of the institutions under its administration. Andiamo Website Office caught up with one of the newly employed teacher in our new column of Get to know our new teacher.
Mailosi Mkwanda
Can you introduce yourself?
I am Fredrick Mailosi Mkwanda, a third born child of late both Mr. and Mrs. Awema and Mailosi Ndala Mkwanda. I was born on 21st October, 1965 in Thyolo (Thunga Estate) the work place of my late beloved father. But originally we are from Katuli area in Mangochi. My father and I are Yao while my mother is a Mang’anja from Thyolo.
There were five of us but the brothers and one sister passed away leaving me and a sister. Now I am married and have five children, 3 boys and 2 girls.
Can we have an insight of your education?
I did my primary school at Kambenje Primary in Mulanje and Thunga in Thyolo where I got selected to Phalombe Secondary School in 1986 up to 1990 and got my Malawi School Certificate of Examination. I went to Blantyre Teachers College and qualified as a T2 teacher in 1992.
I upgraded to Diploma in Education with Aggrey Memorial School and started teaching in secondary schools from 1998 up to now (private secondary schools).
Currently I have a certificate in Education, Diploma in Education and 3 single subjects. Diplomas in Stores, Purchasing, and Business Administration. Plus other fields.
Why did you choose teaching as a career?
I chose teaching as a career not as a destitute but I wanted to pay back the good my teachers did to me and again to help build the national education.
Since I joined teaching, English has been my main subject that is both literature and language. I have also been trained as a life skills and social studies teacher. I have taught for two decades now.
For the short period you have been at AEI, What can you say about the place?
As far as I am concerned, AEI is like a watershed where many a river will flow forever to other areas where the water is needed by others. As a secondary school, it is like a newly born baby with the brightest future.
It only needs experienced, well qualified, zealous, and passionate teachers of a special caliber to make Andiamo Secondary School a force to reckon with. Let’s hold hands and move in the same direction with one rhythm, the Andiamo will be an ever glowing light.
Have you ever thought of changing career?
I have no reason whatsoever to change a career, instead I wish I had money enough to advance my education and become a tutor or a lecturer because I love my job and I want to leave a mark as a teacher from the humble beginning to greater heights.
Any advice to your fellow teachers?
Money alone cannot make a good teacher, but love, zeal, parenthood and passion added to professional performance. Teach to build and not to benefit.
Italian volunteers never cease to amaze students of Andiamo Educations Institutions (AEI) with their gifts. After Franco Fiorina completed building girl’s hostel, with the support of OLTRE CONFINE ONLUS, Alberto Sidio came up with his Zitsime team to drill a borehole for male students. As if this is not enough, Alberto is at it again. This time, he is drilling another borehole for female students in the campus stormed the campus.
Alberto and Zitsime team drilling a borehole at girls hostel
Alberto and his team started drilling the borehole on 7 May, three days after the completion of the males’ borehole.
The two boreholes are expected to ease water problems at the campus. Once this female borehole is completed, AEI campus only will have four water sources. What a gift!
Zitsime team has been repairing and drilling boreholes in villages around Balaka and it operates under social development, one of the pillars of Andiamo Youth Cooperative Trust (AYCT).
Andiamo Website Office will be updating progress of the drilling.
