CBCC Directors Meeting

On the 4th of November 2022, Seibo Malawi held a CBCCs Directors meeting to discuss progress & challenges for our ‘CBCC’ (rural nursery) school feeding partners. What follows is a short summary.

Meeting Summary
After opening prayers, we revised the previous meeting’s minutes covering:
– stock management & usage
– communication
– stove handling
– record keeping & deliveries
Each partner CBCC then presented on their own schools’ performance allowing other members to make suggestions in matters where CBCCs found challenges.

Makapwa CBCC:
The use of a register (book) has helped teachers to track kids attendance and to make follow ups when kids are absent. Makapwa also expressed appreciation for the new classroom and clean water provided by Seibo in 2022. The Makapwa CBCC representatives cited the lack of parental support as an ongoing challenge and received much support from other CBCCs to keep striving in this regard.

Chilingani CBCC
They also mentioned the register as being of great help and added that kids are even excited to hear their name during roll call and become more active when recognised by their teachers. They also shared how they managed to convince parents to provide school uniforms for their kids. As a challenge they mentioned that children from other villages are coming to school for the hot meal which is a strain on resources. The group advised the CBCC committee to work out a solution with the Group Village Head.

Tawina CBCC
The CBCC representatives bemoaned the fact that attendance was poor when compared with enrolment figures. They did however report some success having organised a meeting with the kids’ parents. In summary, their 3 main challenges were a lack of support from village leaders, the state of the building and the need for a toilet roof. Much advice was given by other members of the group. The CBCC was also encouraged to do what they can themselves with regards to repairing the toilet roof.

Tikondane CBCC
The school committee explained how they build a school block with help from some parents. They also shared praise from teachers working at a nearby primary school who mentioned how well prepared the CBCC kids were when starting school. Attendance is good and now the CBCC has developed an outdoor play area and have planted flowers around the school. They are currently in the process of building a kitchen & toilet and have collected over 800 bricks. All that remains now is to purchase 10 bags of cement. The CBCC team also shared their numerous challenges which include their source of water, a local stream, that often runs dry along with the lack of a kitchen or proper toilet.

Kachimera CBCC
Attendance is good at Kachimera CBCC. Committee members are also quite involved with the CBCC and regularly clean the surroundings. In addition, parents are quite cooperative and even come to school to prepare the school meal. However, challenges abound. The CBCC does not have access to clean water, they lack a kitchen and some committee members have made personal use of school resources. The committee received encouragement to keep working on their kitchen project and were advised to store school resources in a secure school storeroom.

Chisomo CBCC
In previous times, this CBCC had only 1 teacher but now they have 4. Attendance is good when compared with overall enrolment and nursery kids who move to primary school do well by all accounts. In the past only the treasurer was available to cook the school meal but now community members take turns. However, the CBCC has no access to clean water as their borehole is not deep enough and there is no water during dry season. The committee also shared their various challenges including a leaking roof and the lack of a toilet.

Mlambe CBCC
This CBCC recently completed a roofing project for their nursery and have gathered enough bricks to build a toilet but seek help with cement. Attendance is good but challenges remain. Teachers often start classes late due to the need to clean the classroom and surroundings. The lack of a toilet is also an issue as is the lack of access to clean water and the state of repair of classroom walls and the floor. The committee was recommended to ask the school committee to assist with tasks like sweeping the ground so teachers can focus on their lessons.