February saw notable activities beyond regular meal support, including workshops and firewood provision to Southern Blantyre.

The supplementary support contributing to meal assistance is made possible by the ongoing support from everyone in Japan. Thank you as always!

Please see below for detailed information.

Importance of Meal Support in Early Childhood Education: Workshop Implementation
On February 4th, Tapiwa attended an ECD education meeting at Jacaranda School in Chigumula. The workshop theme was “Highlighting the Excellence of Early Childhood Development in Malawi.”
Seibo gained insights into methods for maintaining the best learning environment for children through ECD. Furthermore, it provided an opportunity to enhance networks and visibility by making Seibo known to other organizations.

Delivery of Firewood to Southern Blantyre
On February 5th, following the lifting of the suspension of school meals, Seibo delivered firewood to all schools in Blantyre to prepare for the resumption of regular school meals. Recognizing the shortage of firewood causing delays in school meal provision, efforts were made to improve the situation by providing firewood to 31 schools monthly.
Procuring three bundles of firewood, each 13 meters long, monthly, accumulating 200 pieces of firewood per school, assumed to last for a month.

Seibo staff recognized the serious shortage of firewood not only in rural areas like Sigerege and Makapwa but also in urban areas like Chiromoni, where daily cooking and porridge provision in schools need continuous firewood supply, similar to mountainous regions.

In contrast, in the Mzimba district where primary schools also receive meals, partner schools are located in rural areas that serve as hubs of community interaction, making firewood procurement less challenging, hence not provided.

Distribution of Donated Meals from the Government
In November 2022, Seibo received donations of Likuni Phala from the Malawi government’s Gender Ministry. Some were distributed in 2022, and a supply of 1,200 kg was distributed in 2023. This stock was distributed to CBCCs that were not supplied. Distribution took place on February 9th and 10th, 2023. According to the daily Likuni Phala requirements of the CBCCs, the amount they received can last for 40 days.

The following schools were given wheat flour.