While on our first visit to Malawi, when we were leaving Chipagala village, we noticed a large stack of bricks with grass growing through them. We were told they had been assembled there three years ago to build a Children’s Centre in the village, but there was no money to buy the other supplies to complete the project. We decided this would be a good project for New St. James and we hoped to raise the money to send to Malawi within a year. We were thrilled that we were able to send the cheque six months later.
The project was completed in the spring of 2011 and we were invited for the official opening of the centre in the fall of that year. They are thrilled to have the centre which is being used seven days a week. This generates income to cover some of the operating costs, which is essential so that it can become self-sustaining.
The centre serves 200 children from age 2 – 10 five days a week from 7:30 am to 3:30 pm. The number has increased as it now provides school for Primary 1, 2 and 3. This means that the children no longer have to walk three hours a day to the nearest public school. We have been able to provide the funds to build a cooking shelter which is used to provide a daily meal of fortified porridge for the children but also doubles as a classroom. New St James sends $500 US every three months to help with this meal. On our next visit we hope to have bought land to allow them to grow maize.
