Community libaries at MoH centers fill big gaps during COVID-19 crisis
July 2020
The following is a report from the Malawi Visions newsletter of Liberty Corner Presbyterian Church.
Days are long and life has changed in the villages of Malawi. Government imposed restrictions, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, have indefinitely closed all schools. Gathering in groups larger than 25 is forbidden. When the median age is 17, a major fraction of the country is idle.
But within this environment, six village libraries built and supplied by Liberty Corner Presbyterian Church’s Malawi Visions project have suddenly taken on a preeminent role in the lives of Malawian children young and old.
Without school to occupy their time and minds, scores of village children are flocking to the libraries where teens read to the younger ones. The older students themselves are discovering books to read and study as their newest pastime and solace. Books have suddenly taken on new meaning and value.
Milca Kathontha and Daniel Moyo are two Malawians that supervise the libraries, and they have helped transform them into centers of awareness where they communicate preventative measures against the spread of COVID-19. Washing hands with soap, social distancing, making and wearing masks, and cleaning the rooms and tables regularly, are observed and demonstrated, and proper hygiene procedures are carried home to protect families and siblings within the communities.
“The centers are the lifeline,” said Moyo. “There’s no other alternative for children to borrow books to read to keep themselves up-to-date and active and avoid unnecessary socialization outside of school that could make them engage in risky behaviors.”
At the village of Khwamba informal mentorship programs meet Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and are attended by 35 high school students.
Under Milca’s leadership, elementary and high school students that would be otherwise idled by the restrictions are encouraged to keep up with studies and stay busy at the center. College students, also home from school, are teaching the high schoolers English, math, and science. What better way to review and understand their own studies, as well as to introduce high school teens to college level subjects.
In addition, one-on-one student counseling sessions, providing special attention and prayer, are ongoing, as well as Bible studies and door-to-door evangelism. Laptop computer classes actively continue at the Khwamba center and are helping improve the odds for MoH students to continue their education. All six of last year’s computer students were accepted into universities. This is a record for Khwamba! Now, at Khwamba six new students, equipped with masks and clinical gloves, eagerly learn the intricacies of Word and Excel. How exciting to witness their enthusiasm, and hope! A second laptop program will start at Matapila in July.
The centers are playing a life changing role in the lives of students, especially during the COVID-19 crisis. Children who may not have before been aware of the joys of stories in books, teens for the first time taking leadership roles and improving their English skills, and college kids suddenly becoming teachers, are daily occurrences. Young people are finding new experiences and rewards perhaps that would not have occurred otherwise, very possibly changing their lives forever.
It is difficult not to be in awe, and humbled, to watch how God is able to turn as horrible a circumstance as a worldwide pandemic, into a remarkable opportunity for growth.
