Andiamo holds schools basketball tourney

Posted on 05/05/2012 by admin

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Students celebrating after completion of borehole

Posted on 05/05/2012 by admin

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Basketball Trainings over

Posted on 04/05/2012 by admin

The basketball trainings that trainers from Italy organized have come to an end following the departure of the trainers today 4 May 2012.

Primary school pupils playing basketball yesterday

Balaka Malawi Basketball School (BAMABÁ) continues after hosting a mini tournament on 1 May 2012 in which St. Charles Lwangwa Secondary basketball team won against Andiamo Secondary school team.

Basketball trainers and other volunteers departing for Italy

Yesterday, 3 May, it was the turn of the remaining three primary schools. When our office visited the basketball court in the morning, there were 26 boys and girls from St. Augustine Primary School an institution located close to Andiamo Education Institutions (AEI) Campus and also uses the same ground of AEI. Balaka Primary and Mponda Full Primary schools took part in the afternoon hours.

This is the first time in the history of Balaka district for primary school pupils to play basketball. The games that take centre stage are football, netball and Athletics.

Though Sports and Culture is one of the four pillars of Andiamo Youth Cooperative Trust, these trainings targeted the schools only and thus why AEI an education pillar was involved.

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Malisa talks about sexuality

Posted on 04/05/2012 by admin

Malisa Lezzi a doctor from Italy on Wednesday had a talk with Andiamo Secondary School students about sexuality and human feeling. Malisa said youths also have feelings and there is a need to help them to understand issues concerning their feelings, which sometimes result into sexual activities if not well interpreted.

Malisa: Even youths have feelings

The lecture, which was attended, by teachers and other medical doctors from Italy, attracted students’ attention as it was for the first time for them to have such important health talk.

Malisa Lezzi is one of the volunteers who have been coming to Andiamo Youth Cooperative Trust to work at Comfort clinics. Malisa and her son sponsor some secondary school students.

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Water at last!

Posted on 03/05/2012 by admin

Water at last: Fr. Mario (far left) Alberto (in green T-shirt), Augustino and Zitsime team

It was a moment of joy when volunteers from Italy and Zitsime team finally completed drilling a borehole meant for male students at Andiamo Education Institutions Campus.

AEI has thanked Alberto Sidio, Augustino Trusardi and OLTRE CONFINE ONLUS for the borehole, which will help to ease water problems at the campus. There is no doubt that these people have done a good job because water flowed non-stop for three hours with the help of the water pump.

The drilling of the borehole took 2 weeks to complete.

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Interview with Alberto

Posted on 03/05/2012 by admin

Alberto Sidio

Who is Alberto?
I am Alberto Sidio, now a retired pensioner. I live in Rieti near Rome with my extended family of 20. I have been in the banking world for over 40 years and I ended up as a bank manager.

Why are you here in Malawi, Balaka in particular?
A voluntary association operating in Africa in 2003 recruited me. I accepted to take on this very different job – a borehole driller after undergoing 8 months apprenticeship.

We have seen you drilling a borehole in AEI campus. Which association (s) is/are involved?
OLTRE CONFINE ONLUS (Rome), which consists six members who raise funds amongst friends and in their community of Rieti.

How many boreholes will you drill?
I have drilled several boreholes in and around Balaka (Kapandatsitsi, Toleza, Mbera, Andiamo Campus amongst others). I have completed a second borehole in Andiamo Campus and I hope to have the resources and energy to drill one or two more before I return.

This is not your first time in Balaka. What has changed ever since you left for Italy?
Indeed this is my fourth visit. Realistically speaking, not much has changed but seeing women and children drawing water from a borehole and not from a river is an enormous advance.

The borehole you are drilling will benefit students. What are your feelings seeing students waiting for the water eagerly?
The students wait, smiling and curious. I watch them brushing teeth, washing hands and simply drinking from the first borehole. This borehole will amplify the entire campus and the benefit it will bring to all, satisfies me immensely.

What message do you have for some Italians who would like to come to Balaka?
When one arrives in Balaka, a place so different to ours, eager to work and meet new people and one leaves heavy-heartedly always longing to return.

Any last words?
MADZI NDI MOYO- as you say in Chichewa- DO NOT WASTE IT!

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St. Charles emerge BAMABÁ tournament champions

Posted on 03/05/2012 by admin

There was jubilation at Balaka Malawi Basketball School (BAMABÁ) as St. Charles Lwangwa Secondary School basketball team emerged champions in BAMABÁ mini basketball tournament after defeating Andiamo Secondary by 31 – 16 baskets.

St. Charles: The winners of BAMABA' mini basketball tournament

Andiamo Youth Cooperative Trust (AYCT) Executive Director Andrew Galeta said that the tournament was organized after noticing that the game was not being promoted in the district as compared to other sports like football, netball, volleyball and athletics games.

all participating teams pose for a group photo

“As a youth organization we have been organizing trophies for different sporting activities as one way of helping the youths to develop their skills and now we have thought it wise to promote basketball, which has been sidelined for a long time.  Game of basketball will also boost AYCT not only making it popular but also to show the world that Andiamo is playing a leading role in promoting basketball in Malawi, Balaka in particular,” said Galeta

He also thanked Anzani Mario, Cortesi Giulia, Calciolari Guido and Zeropiu’ Onlus Association for their interest in uplifting the sport of basketball in the district.

Fr. Mario Pacifici urged the youth to be responsible and exemplary by taking care of the area surrounding the basketball court and all the resources available to them. He also thanked the three volunteers for their time and skills they have shared to the students.

One of the professional basketball players in Balaka, Sydney Lungu who plays for Mikango Basketball team, said the newly launched basketball association will help the youth in the district to develop their skills and instead of being involved in immoral behaviour, they will be busy with sports.

He also added that the coming in of basketball trainers from Italy has helped them to know the rules and to have sports equipment like balls and jerseys.

All the teams who were taking part in the tournament went away with five basketball balls, a whistle and a pump.
Basketball trainings are expected to end this Friday, 4th May 2012.

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Interview with Juma Phiri

Posted on 29/04/2012 by admin

Juma Phiri

Juma Phiri is one of the skilled youths at Andiamo Youth Cooperative Trust (AYCT). He does welding, panel beating and spray painting and welding. Juma joined Andiamo in 1998 as a trainee and after six months later he became a permanent employee of Andiamo. But who is Juma Phiri? Andiamo Website Office caught up him.

1. Tell us about yourself?
Juma was born 32 years ago. He comes from Mpulula village, Traditional Authority Nsamala in Balaka district. He is a father of 3.

2. Your journey into panel beating and spray painting, was it by design or default?
I don’t know. Mr Mkuleya who was working here at Andiamo introduced me to this career after he noticed that I was just staying idle after dropping out of school. He was the one who trained me to be where I am now. I feel it’s something that was planned by God for me to be doing this.

3. Why did you accept to work at Andiamo?
It wasn’t easy for me to accept because at that time the money I was receiving as a monthly salary was not enough but I was impressed with the cooperation and  the support which different sections receive from the administration.
4. What can you say about your job?
It’s a well-paying job. It just needs someone who is more creative. As for me I have managed to build my own house and I am able to support my relatives using money from this job.

5. Positive and negative side of AYCT?
At every place there is a good and bad side. That’s how life goes but when you see people sticking around just know that there are more good things than bad.

6. Tell us the secret which has helped you to be where you are now?
Although I have passed through difficult times, my patience and willingness to acquire skills helped me.

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Zitsime Project Rehabilitate 15 Boreholes

Posted on 27/04/2012 by admin

Zitsime project of Andiamo trust has in the month of April rehabilitated 15 boreholes in the villages surrounding Balaka District. With funding from Aldo of the RIETI ASSOCIATION and other Italian well-wishers, under the motto “MADZI NDI MOYO” (water is life), the boreholes which most of them were totally dry, were repaired and others, replacing worn out parts with new ones.

Zitsime team working on one of the boreholes

The Zitsime team worked tirelessly and at times worked during the evening leaving only when the village had water. Some of the boreholes that were repaired stopped working eight years ago.

The areas that have benefited from Aldo’s stay include: Sawali, Chiuja, Chimkwakwa, Kapandatsitsi, Mchenga, Nthumba and Khwisa.

The beneficiaries of the project have since thanked Andiamo Trust, Aldo and his friends of RIETI, the Zitsime team for the efforts they have put together to help them have water within walking distance;

“We thank you Aldo and your friends for this kind gesture. We thank you for thinking of us here in Africa and addressing our utmost need. You have a good heart, and you’re indeed a man sent by God. May the same God who sent you to us bless you abundantly,” said one villager after walking a distance of close to 8km everyday for 4 years to look for water.”

Aldo has in his previous visits helped rehabilitating boreholes and even drilling new ones in Balaka, Mangochi, and Utale just to mention but a few.

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The last program of Alleluya Band 2012 tour

Posted on 25/04/2012 by admin

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