Growing our literacy team to inspire young readers

Literacy opens the door to opportunity. Being able to read, write, and communicate confidently in English increases children’s chances of academic success. This year, we are taking another step forward in strengthening reading across our partner schools.

We are thrilled to welcome four new Literacy Support Workers, who have joined our Literacy Coordinator, Andrea, to deliver exciting and interactive learning programmes in our partner schools: Chipwepwete, Tapani, Mafunde, and Chimwembe Primary Schools.

Chrissy Makaika, based at Chipwepwete Primary, is a recent university graduate and a long-time volunteer in the school library. She brings energy and creativity to her lessons, helping pupils develop a love of reading.

Philip Kondwani and Peter Winiko, both graduates of the Youth Development Programme, are based at Chimwembe and Tapani Primary Schools, respectively, where they support teachers and pupils in strengthening reading and writing skills.

Ibrahim Livson, based at Hope Skills Centre, travels to all three schools each week with Andrea to deliver literacy sessions and provide hands-on support.

Together, they are implementing five key literacy initiatives to improve reading fluency, comprehension, and confidence—all while making learning engaging and fun.

Literacy initiatives that will make a difference for learners

Literacy Sessions (Standards 3 & 4)

These interactive lessons focus on phonics, sight words, and simple sentence building, emphasising reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Class teachers participate each week, learning games and activities to use in their own lessons. Each session also includes a short Bible segment using stories to reinforce sounds and letters in meaningful ways.

Guided Reading (Standards 5 & 6)

Small-group reading sessions help children improve fluency, comprehension, and confidence. Each term starts with an individual reading assessment, and progress is tracked throughout the year. The sessions also encourage pupils to borrow books and read for pleasure, both at school and at home.

Assemblies (Whole School)

Our literacy team regularly leads Whole School assemblies, telling Bible stories in fun and interactive ways.

Revision Support (Standard 8)

We provide extra tuition on Saturdays to pupils with the potential to be selected for National and District secondary schools. These sessions, held at Hope Skills Centre, help students build confidence and prepare for exams.

iPad Learning (Standard 7)

Using iPads loaded with RACHEL (Remote Area Community Hotspot for Education and Learning) resources, pupils can access interactive lessons in science, technology, computing, and more. The programme combines reading digital books with engaging, hands-on learning.

We’re encouraged by the enthusiasm of our new team and the teachers they’re working alongside. Together, they will help hundreds of children develop literacy skills for life.

Thank you to all our supporters. Your generosity makes this vital work possible.

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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.