U.S. Embassy:  A Friend in Development

On July 14, 2006 the Malomo community witnessed the launching of two US Embassy-funded community projects.  In September 2005 the Malomo Community Day Secondary School (CDSS) and Malomo community benefited from $10,400.  The grant funded the drilling of an artesian well and the construction of a multipurpose hall and supply of 75 bunk beds for 150 boarding students.  The U.S. Ambassador was represented at the launching ceremony by Peace Corps Malawi Country Director, Pam Martin.

The ceremony was attended by 50 students of Malomo CDSS and 30 community members in Ntchisi District of the Central Region of Malawi.  The goal of the hall project was three-fold: First, to provide an appropriate shelter for students assembly sessions and for conducting examinations.  Second, the adjourning kitchen would provide a decent environment for cooks to prepare meals.  Finally, the provision of beds for students would reduce the reported high incidence of flu, colds and other illnesses associated with sleeping on a bare hard floor.

In her welcome address, project manager and Peace Corps Volunteer (PCV) Amy Coleman thanked members of the works committee for their cooperation.  She added that both projects had enhanced local capacities in proposal writing and project management.  The multipurpose hall will also be used for social functions such as drama and gala dances.  The District Education Manager, Mr. Ndandika, was delighted that grant managers had disbursed the Self-Help funds judiciously.  He expressed gratitude for the invaluable services of the Peace Corps Volunteer at the community school and requested the Peace Corps Director to assign more PCVs to the area.

The District Commissioner for Ntchisi, Mr. Phiri, lauded the US Embassy for their increasing participation in development projects in Ntchisi.  He made a succinct correlation between a school hall and improvement in educational standards.  He lamented the resource gap between the Malawi government’s development plan and the means to implement the plan.  Mr. Phiri thanked the US Embassy for “operating within the guidelines of Malawi government policy that places emphases on integrated rural development”, concluding: “The US Embassy is a friend in development.”

Mrs. Pam Martin, Peace Corps Malawi Country Director represented Ambassador Alan Eastham at the handover ceremony.  Pam started off by announcing the Peace Corps Mission’s 45th. anniversary.  She revealed that 182,000 PCVs had been assigned in 138 countries worldwide.  For the past 43 years since the inception of the Peace Corps program in Malawi, 2,300 PCVs have served in the country.  Pam emphasized the importance of safe water for students’ personal hygiene and sanitation adding that: “Water is a basic human right.”  She requested the students to take good care of the beds and hall.  The Peace Corps Director congratulated the Malomo community for their participatory role in the water and hall construction projects, reminding them that: “American people are always willing to help those who help themselves.”

By Tony Ayuninjam, Self-Help Fund Administrator