Camp STAR 2011

We did it! With the help of many Peace Corps Volunteers, my headteacher and I were able to pull off a third Camp STAT at Gwangwa CDSS. The 5 day science mini-camp had the same basic structure as last year's camp, slightly modified form the first one in 2009. PCVs from throughout the country brought their students and I invited my own as well as students from neighboring schools in my district. The kids had a great time and learned a lot. Topics included: titrations, genetics and evolution, linear programming, biology practicals, CV writing and interviewing, organic chemistry, electricity, computers, pendulums, reproduction and HIV/AIDs, geometric figures and coordination. Afternoon and evening activities included a Romeo and Juliet video show, tree grafting, a stove efficiency experiment, Jeopardy, a goat dissection, variety show and of course a disco! It was a tiring week but in the end I think we are all glad to have accomplished so much for our students! I'm especially grateful to all of the PCVs who gave up a week of their holiday to help teach, run labs, run errand or just hangout for the week. Here are some pictures of camp fun!

Field Trip Day

Together Mr. Zimba and I organized a great field trip for our students to Lilongwe, Malawi's capital city. In town, we visited Airtel Malawi, the nation's number one cell phone and internet provided. There we listened to employees from various departments talk about their jobs, training and education. We also took a tour of one of the cell phone towers and listened to an explanation of how the waves work to provide cellular service. Airtel was wonderful, they provided us with a lot of great information, food, drinks and t-shirts!!! It was a great trip and the students learned a ton. After Airtel, we walked through town to the Malawi National Library. There are three branches, one in each of the major cities. here all of the students were given a tour and explanation of all of the library's resources. Throughout the library we found lots of university students hard at work studying, I particularly enjoyed this because in my opinion it served as good motivation for my kids. "Just imagine," I told them, "if you pass your MSCE and go to university, you can read all of the books in this library every day!" From the library, we continues on to vies the Malawi Parliament building and then received a tour of the Kamuzu Banda monument, Dr. Banda was the first president of Malawi. All in all it was a wonderful day, enjoy the pictures below!!

Boy's Football Game