The Malawi Project
- Pardon our mess this page under construction -
Malawi is known as the "Warm Heart of Africa." This special project is located not far from the capital city of Lilongwe in Sankahani Village. The government school campus had fallen into great disrepair over many years. BTCV was introduced to local community activist the Rev. Lawrence Benedicto. Together with the community and school staff our teams have been restoring the total campus. This work is improving the education opportunities for students in over 30 villages and sub villages served by this school.
BTCV caught up with Malawian Project Partner
Hello everyone, I am Lawrence Benedicto, a church Minister and a project partner for Be The Change Volunteers. I've been in a good working relationship with the BTCV for over 7 years now, and I am a living testimony for all what the organization does.
I'm a Malawian national and our project site is in Sankhani Primary School located in the outskirts of the city of Lilongwe about 14km, it is situated at the northwest of the capital city in Chief Njewa's Area. My role in the community is to mobilize, organizing meetings with them and the school staff these includes the head teacher and his team as well as the school development committee. I encourage them to be responsible for every school property and including all what Be The Change Volunteers has done for them.
1. How did you find out about Be The Change Volunteers?
I came to know about Be The Change Volunteers in 2012 by then I was volunteering for another ministry called Invest Inc. And we have an American lady by the name Bethany Slangon who has known the co-founders of the organization Jimi and Cristi Cook as the was a student at the University of Missouri. She told me about their mission and linked me up with them. In 2013 we have had our first project at our school.
2. What circumstances led you to reaching out for aid? What was the biggest challenge you were facing?
My community has one of the high populated area and our school has been facing a lot of challenges in terms of poor learning
environment, lack of good classroom, a need of other facilities like a library and teachers houses, all these prompted me to reach the
organization board for aid. The school building was in a bad state and we have had a lot most every student seating on the floor due to
lack of desks for almost all of them were broken.
3. How has this program, made an impact in your community?
This program has made a great impact in my community for it has been able to reach into the areas whereby the community and the government hasn't been able to do. Over the past few years, we've experienced a great change in terms of developments at our school the constructing of a school library, new window frames which has given a chance to our learners have a good learning environment, building of lamps to give access to the disabled students, fixing of the transparent sheets on the roof to give the classrooms enough light good for students all these the community alone wouldn't be able to do. The program has helped us so much and we are thankful. Not only the help on the school project, but the organizing has helped to raise money and support the students who are hard working in class so they can continue with their studies by paying for their school fees as well as all their school supplies. This is a great change this organization is doing worldwide.
4. Can you tell us about a specific learner who has benefited from the program?
We have a number of students benefited and are still benefiting from the program, but Rebecca Benedicto has benefited a lot as she's doing her 3rd year at college studying Business Management.
5. Now that they’ve gone through this program, what’s their life like?
What is their outlook for the future? Now that they've gone through this program and are still in the program, their life is very promising. And they are ready to contribute to the community and of course their own lives for they will be self-reliant and become good citizens of the country.
6. What do you think other people should know about this organization?
Of course, other people should know about this amazing organization called Be The Change Volunteers for it is a great life challenging organization which has transformed many communities worldwide in terms of education. I therefore give my recommendation to everyone who want to know about this great organization.
7. With so many great organizations to support, why should other volunteers choose to support this mission?
With many great organizations worldwide, other volunteers should choose to support this mission for the following reasons (a) Be The
Change Volunteers is very transparent and accountability, (b) Their support is 100% benefiting the need. (c) you can be assured for what they do for all the projects carried are visible, (d) the boarder of directors and the co-founder’s hearts is for the people's need.
8. Is there a particular moment or memory that stands out for you from the builds?
The moments that always stands are
9. How did it feel when you met the team for the first time?
When I met the team for the first time, I felt like I was dreaming. For I didn't expect to host such a great team in my life and that just came life a dream coming true. I was full of joy and nervousness. But all it all it was a great honor to have the team on the ground and see the project being accomplished.
10. In what way(s) are you a different person today because of the organization?
There's a number of ways I am a different person because of this organization.
Hello everyone, I am Lawrence Benedicto, a church Minister and a project partner for Be The Change Volunteers. I've been in a good working relationship with the BTCV for over 7 years now, and I am a living testimony for all what the organization does.
I'm a Malawian national and our project site is in Sankhani Primary School located in the outskirts of the city of Lilongwe about 14km, it is situated at the northwest of the capital city in Chief Njewa's Area. My role in the community is to mobilize, organizing meetings with them and the school staff these includes the head teacher and his team as well as the school development committee. I encourage them to be responsible for every school property and including all what Be The Change Volunteers has done for them.
1. How did you find out about Be The Change Volunteers?
I came to know about Be The Change Volunteers in 2012 by then I was volunteering for another ministry called Invest Inc. And we have an American lady by the name Bethany Slangon who has known the co-founders of the organization Jimi and Cristi Cook as the was a student at the University of Missouri. She told me about their mission and linked me up with them. In 2013 we have had our first project at our school.
2. What circumstances led you to reaching out for aid? What was the biggest challenge you were facing?
My community has one of the high populated area and our school has been facing a lot of challenges in terms of poor learning
environment, lack of good classroom, a need of other facilities like a library and teachers houses, all these prompted me to reach the
organization board for aid. The school building was in a bad state and we have had a lot most every student seating on the floor due to
lack of desks for almost all of them were broken.
3. How has this program, made an impact in your community?
This program has made a great impact in my community for it has been able to reach into the areas whereby the community and the government hasn't been able to do. Over the past few years, we've experienced a great change in terms of developments at our school the constructing of a school library, new window frames which has given a chance to our learners have a good learning environment, building of lamps to give access to the disabled students, fixing of the transparent sheets on the roof to give the classrooms enough light good for students all these the community alone wouldn't be able to do. The program has helped us so much and we are thankful. Not only the help on the school project, but the organizing has helped to raise money and support the students who are hard working in class so they can continue with their studies by paying for their school fees as well as all their school supplies. This is a great change this organization is doing worldwide.
4. Can you tell us about a specific learner who has benefited from the program?
We have a number of students benefited and are still benefiting from the program, but Rebecca Benedicto has benefited a lot as she's doing her 3rd year at college studying Business Management.
5. Now that they’ve gone through this program, what’s their life like?
What is their outlook for the future? Now that they've gone through this program and are still in the program, their life is very promising. And they are ready to contribute to the community and of course their own lives for they will be self-reliant and become good citizens of the country.
6. What do you think other people should know about this organization?
Of course, other people should know about this amazing organization called Be The Change Volunteers for it is a great life challenging organization which has transformed many communities worldwide in terms of education. I therefore give my recommendation to everyone who want to know about this great organization.
7. With so many great organizations to support, why should other volunteers choose to support this mission?
With many great organizations worldwide, other volunteers should choose to support this mission for the following reasons (a) Be The
Change Volunteers is very transparent and accountability, (b) Their support is 100% benefiting the need. (c) you can be assured for what they do for all the projects carried are visible, (d) the boarder of directors and the co-founder’s hearts is for the people's need.
8. Is there a particular moment or memory that stands out for you from the builds?
The moments that always stands are
- The time I met part of the team which came on the first project, the Columbia Independent Schools (CIS) students at Jimi and Cristi Cook's residents and seeing all of them came.
- The library which was our first build by the team which was dedicated to the late young girl who died of HIV aids related diseases for she was born positive. Annie Grace Kamwendo Memorial Library stands in my mind always.
- The commitment of every team member in all the works done.
9. How did it feel when you met the team for the first time?
When I met the team for the first time, I felt like I was dreaming. For I didn't expect to host such a great team in my life and that just came life a dream coming true. I was full of joy and nervousness. But all it all it was a great honor to have the team on the ground and see the project being accomplished.
10. In what way(s) are you a different person today because of the organization?
There's a number of ways I am a different person because of this organization.
- I have learned to be a focused person and be determined on what I want to do.
- Hard working spirit, looking forward to facing all the challenges and believe that everything is possible.
- I have an awesome experience to see well educated people working with the
local community forgetting all their honors. - Great people like Jimi and Cristi Cook, Grant Venable, Linda Carl, Derby Waggoner, John Hendrix, Doug Willet, Uncle Al just to mention a few. These great people work and very dedicated in every moment and every day of the week without getting exhausted. I am a total changed people learning from these people's experiences.
