MALAWI: Archdiocese of Blantyre Constructing a Secondary School
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Blantyre is building a multi-million secondary school in Group Village Chavala, on the border between Chikwawa and Blantyre districts. It is in Kadikira Parish, in the remote corner of the Archdiocese of Blantyre, about 60 kilometers from the City. It is a modern secondary school worth over 500,000 Euros with all good facilities.
One would wish it was built in the very City of Blantyre. However the place was chosen because of its remoteness from good social services.
According to Fr Paul Nkolombidzo, current Archdiocesan Financial Administrator, who was Parish Priest of Kadikira when the project started, said the idea to construct the secondary school there came when he and local leaders noted that the closest secondary school is a four hour walk away from Chavala. The area is hilly with difficult rivers and streams.
“It is meant to benefit poor youths in the remote parts of both Blantyre and Chikwawa. Of major concern were girls who opted for self-boarding in Chikwawa district and rarely made it to Form Four because of the numerous challenges faced in self boarding facilities,” said Fr. Paul.
Archbishop Thomas Msusa has said that education liberates and there are many people who need good education in the villages in order to be liberated. Speaking to the youth during Lenten prayers recently, the Archbishop said. “It is my prayer that we all have access to good education whether in urban or rural setting. It is our responsibility, government and the religious leaders, to provide good learning environments for our youth.”
As of now the school has already taken shape and is expected to open in September this year. Four classrooms, Administration block, computer Lab, a Library and four semi-detached teachers’ houses with a solar water pump are ready. According to plans, more structures will be built which will include two science laboratories, ablution blocks, Assembly Hall and four more teachers’ houses.
The school is being built with support from a German organisation called Nanguthina through Uwe Bothur (about 117,000 euros) and the Italian Episcopal Conference through Sr. Anna Tomasi.
The Catholic Church values quality education as evidenced by the seriousness put in all Catholic academic institutions. During the past three years the Archdiocese of Blantyre has opened Divine Mercy Secondary School and James Chiona Catholic High School (for boys). Chavala Secondary will be there to benefit the rural poor youth.
The people of Chavala are praying hard that the school should indeed open in September as planned.
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By Fr. Frank Mwinganyama Archdiocese of Blantyre Communications Secretary
