Exam success and new beginnings at Hope CDSS

When completed, the school hall will be used for assemblies, meetings, open days, and exams.

The holidays are over, and a new school year has started in Malawi. Much like in the UK, the community is readjusting to its usual routine as children return to school. But for Hope CDSS, this year is a bit different.

The building project to double the school's intake is progressing well—the first classroom block is now finished! The new block provides two classrooms and an office, and is already in use. Building will continue at the school as the second classroom block is completed, and a school hall is constructed.

Previously, Hope CDSS had four classrooms, one per year group, each accommodating up to 50 students. However, with more local children qualifying for secondary education, additional space was needed.

The new blocks, built by Hope4Malawi, will enable 100 students to start secondary school each year.

Find out more about the building work.

The second block is taking shape.

New beginnings

The deputy headteacher at Hope CDSS, Nalys, has welcomed a new baby. While she is on maternity leave, Chrissy will be taking on the role of deputy headteacher.

Chrissy lives in teacher housing at the school and has been a Geography and Life Skills teacher at Hope for three years.

National exams in Malawi take place during the second and fourth years of secondary school. Hope CDSS is proud that all the Form 2 students passed their JCE exams and have now moved on to Form 3.

The Form 4 students have also received their results and graduated. Hope CDSS’s pass rate in Form 4 was significantly higher than the national average, and a few students performed well enough to apply to university, which is great news.

Some graduates have joined the Youth Development Programme (YDP), run by Hope4Malawi at Hope Skills Centre.

Launched in September 2024, the faith-based YDP programme brings hope and opportunity to the rural community, enabling school leavers to gain essential life, academic, business, and workplace skills.

The one-year holistic programme helps young people prepare for adulthood by teaching them to develop economic independence, social competence, character, and faith.

Celebrating exam success at Hope CDSS.

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Can you help a child in Malawi?

Thanks to the support of our partners, sponsors, fundraisers and volunteers, Hope4Malawi's Youth Development programmes, building projects, resourcing initiatives, and student sponsorships continue to provide life-changing opportunities for children in rural Blantyre.

Contact us for further information on how to get involved.