Seibo Launched 6 NEW CBCCs!
In our previous article, we shared information from 4 x CBCCs in Malawi with whom we recently partnered for the purposes of school feeding. This follow-up article features the remaining CBCCs, namely Katonodo & Chibanzi, from the Nkhoko village area.

Launch Event of 2 Nurseries

The second launch group features the Chibanzi & Katondo CBCCs. Similar to the launch of other CBCCs, the day’s programme began with an orientation on protocols regarding record-keeping, food preparation & storage by our team leader in Malawi.

While phala (school meal) was cooking on the fire, the launch ceremony began with a prayer, followed by dancing. Parents from the two villages expressed their joy& gratitude by dancing & singing songs in appreciation of Seibo. Finally, the village heads of both Nkhoko & Kundeketa rose to give their speeches. They both acknowledged the timing of school feeding coming at a pivotal time when things are extremely tough for communities, and many children living in temporary camps. The chiefs also conveyed a request to Seibo to help rebuild their schools due to a lack of vital resources such as cement & iron sheets.

Chilingani CBO Director’s Speech
Ms. Margareta encouraged the community to work hand in hand with the school committees and the village heads to do their part in this feeding program and ensure there is a good working relationship between Seibo and the schools. She encouraged the teachers to do their best and asked the chiefs to organise support from their communities to help the teachers. In her speech she used Makapwa as an example for the great job Seibo is doing and further explained how a good working relationship can achieve so mush more. ‘If your community is committed to this feeding program then you might be able to see other development such as accessible water, sanitation facilities and good classrooms for our kids. As a CBO we will do our part and so should you as a community to make Seibo’s work easier and impactful, concluded Ms. Margareta.

Following the speech, the Chimembe Theatre for Development group put on a performance that explained the community’s role in the feeding programme. The performance challenged the community to take action for help they are receiving and reinforced the message that communities can only make impact if they work hand in hand with Seibo as well.

The ceremony concluded with MoUs being read & signed, as well as handover of the feeding materials to the two schools. Eventually, the phala meal was cooked and ready to serve and both kids & parents got a taste of what they will be having everyday for breakfast on a school day!

NEW CBCCs Profiles
1.Tsamirani CBCC
This nursery is located in Group Village Bwanamsompho’s area. Started in October 2015 by the community having observed local children walking the long distance to Chilingani CBCC, another Seibo partner in the vicinity. At the time of launch, the school had 25 children (12 boys, 13 girls) with 4 teachers namely: Agnes, Modester, Lekereni, Alinane. Children learn in a grass thatched structure. They had a classroom block but it fell due to heavy rains, and replaced by a grass structure, which makes teaching on a rainy day an impossibility. Although they have a toilet, to fetch water they need to use a borehole over 10 minutes away.

2.Bwemba CBCC
Located in Nyadani Village, the school started in July 2019. The idea came from the Director of Mgwirizano CBO upon observing that the village had no early childhood center. The community agreed with the idea and when the CBCC began initially, children learned under a tree. Later they made a grass structure which has collapsed several times and makes teaching on a rainy day impossible. At the time of launch, Bwemba had 25 children (13 boys and 12 girls), accompanied by 2 teachers. The school has no toilet. Water is fetched from a borehole 5 minutes from the school.

3.Katondo CBCC

Located in Ndeketa village, GVH Bwanamsompho, the school was established in the early 1990’s by Mrs. Chumachiyenda, a director of different CBCCs around Chilomoni. At the time of the launch, the school had 43 children (22 boys and 21 girls) and there are 3 teachers.

4.Chibanzi CBCC
Located in Ndeketa Village, GVH Bwanamsompho, the school was established in early 1990’s by parents to prevent young children from walking long distances to the nearest school as the village is surrounded by 3 rivers namely: Mudi, Khombwe and Chimembe. At the time of launch, the school had 60 (32 boys and 28 girls) learners at the school, accompanied by 3 teachers.

5.Dyechiti CBCC
Located in Kaliwo Village, GVH Chalamanda, the school was established in September 2014 by the Village Headman. At the time of launch, the school had 29 children (17 girls and 12 boys) with 4 teachers. The community are currently in the process of constructing a school block with help from the Stephanos Foundation. There is a toilet and water is accessed from a borehole about 5 minutes away.