Providing books and resources to boost primary education

Articles 28 and 29 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) state that all primary-age children have the right to free and accessible education. The convention notes, “Governments must ensure that schools are accessible without a direct cost to families. They must take steps to ensure resources are available.” 

In rural Blantyre, Malawi, this is often not the case. Many schools lack the funding necessary to provide free, accessible education for all children. UNICEF states that in cases like this, “Richer countries must help poorer countries.”

Through partnerships with four partner primary schools, Hope4Malawi provides resources that make a real difference in the classroom and help fulfil children’s rights.

We supply exercise books, learning materials, classroom supplies, and infrastructural support to empower teachers and inspire students to reach their full potential. By working closely with these schools, we not only provide essential resources but also foster hope for a brighter future.

• At the start of each term, we visit the schools to distribute exercise books to every student. Each child receives an exercise book, and students in Years 1 and 2 are given a pencil to get them started at school.

  
  

• For the older year groups, with more content to learn, each student receives two exercise books. This enables them to take notes in lessons and study at home.

  
  

• Year 7 and 8 students are also given pens. This might seem like a simple gift, but for many students, a pen is a crucial tool for learning and future success.

  
  

• Teachers receive reams of paper, pens, chalk, flipchart papers and books to record their lesson plans.

Caring, sharing and building relationships

School visits are about more than just sharing resources—they are key opportunities to build relationships with our partner schools.

Providing much-needed resources fosters positive connections. This allows team members to immerse themselves in daily school life and gives teachers the chance to discuss any challenges they may be facing.

Our presence in schools and classrooms helps teachers and students get to know our team, so they start to recognise trusted faces—people they can look up to as positive role models.

How school visits can change lives

During their visit to Mafunde Primary School this term, our team noticed a boy in Standard 1 who was struggling to learn due to ill-health. Usually, large class sizes make it difficult for teachers to help individual students, but we were able to meet with him and his mother. Because he is unable to walk, we found out that she carries him to and from school. Although he has a wheelchair, he cannot use it to travel to school because of the rough terrain.

We spoke with the school and arranged to have a wheelchair stored there, allowing the boy to be more independent during school hours. This highlights how these visits can make a big difference.

REFERENCES:

Right to education: https://www.right-to-education.org/

Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland: https://www.cypcs.org.uk/rights/uncrc/

UNICEF, various articles: https://www.unicef.org/ 

Save the Children: https://www.savethechildren.org.uk/

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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, school 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.