'Making Wonders'
Norman Wagstaffe and Carol Murphy returned to Malawi in January 2008 to carry out further work for the 'making wonders' project which uses assistive computer technology to aid blind and partially sighted learners to reach their full potential.
During the first week Carol was training teachers and teacher-trainers at Montfort College, while Norman visited schools within striking distance of Blantyre. The remaining time was spent visiting the other schools supported by the project; there are now 21 of these schools scattered throughout Malawi, from Ngabu in the South to Karonga in the North and the visits involved travelling around 2000 miles.
At Chayamba, in the Central Region of Malawi, some of the children demonstrated their computer skills. Gerald Mbewe, a blind boy, demonstrated the touch typing tutor - a piece of software designed to teach blind learners to touch type. He was then asked to show his skills with Microsoft Word and astonished his audience by typing 'The Lithosphere is the solid crust which envelops the inner Biosphere of the earth' with no mistakes!
An unexpected windfall in the form of a VAT rebate to the project has allowed a further four schools to receive computers and the assistive software. Carol, supported by teacher-trainers at Montfort College, trained twelve teachers from these schools. During the organisation of this training session Montfort College was bombarded by requests for equipment and training from other institutions that support blind learners - news of the project has spread. Also undergoing training were teachers from schools that the Ministry of Education had supplied with assistive technology to support blind and partially sighted learners. The Malawi Government's interest in using such technology is a welcome boost to the project.
Living Ghosts?
Though there would appear to be no official statistics relating to the prevalence of Albinism in Malawi Carol and Norman's experience leads them to believe that it is relatively common. Albinos are not usually blind but do suffer from poor vision and their eyes can be sensitive to bright light. Their skin, because of the lack of pigmentation, is particularly sensitive to sunlight which can result in melanoma which will usually go untreated. In Malawi the myth is that Albinos are 'living ghosts' who do not die but 'just fade away'. In reality, many of them die as a result of exposure to the sun and the consequential untreated melanoma. There is a scheme, in Blantyre, that is trying to help by distributing sun block but it is not widely known about or used. The most effective help that can be given is to ensure that they have clothing that covers as much of the skin as possible, a wide brimmed hat, sun block on exposed skin and wrap around sunglasses to protect their eyes. Unfortunately making them safe from the sun also makes them feel even more conspicuous.
Malawi Fashion Show
Once again, the University's Graduates Association has held a successful fundraising event in aid of the Malawi Millennium Project. The proceeds 'an amazing £10,000' will go towards helping providing clean and safe water in Malawi . His Excellency, Dr Francis Moto, High Commissioner of Malawi, took time out from his busy schedule to attend the event.
Historian Professor Tom Devine, Real Breakfast Show presenter Robin Galloway, University Principal Professor Andrew Hamnett, and his wife Suzanne, all took to the catwalk, as did Dr Peter West, Covener of the Project's Working Group. Also strutting their stuff were others from the University's senior management team and former Principal Sir John Arbuthnott and his wife, Elinor.
Comperes for the evening were the Lord Provost of Glasgow, Councillor Liz Cameron, and former STV presenter, Liz Kristiansen. Entertainment included a tribute to Diana Ross by Saffron and music by Dave Anderson. Dr Rose Mary Harley, President of the Graduates Association and chief organiser of the evening, wishes to thank the models and the many individuals and organisations who contributed to the evening's success. These include: Lex McFadyen of Gallery, Jackie and her team from Lancôme in Boots, Sauchiehall St, Martin and Paul from Saks Hair Stylists, St Vincent St, and all the shops that participated: Bag and Baggage, Big Ideas, Osiris, Spencer Railton, Marks and Spencer, Benny Hamish, Planet, Moss Bros, Cuckoo.
Strathclyders in Malawi
Professor Tom Gray, Mechanical Engineering, and two Masters graduates from the Department's final year group visited Blantyre Polytechnic, Malawi, in August to discuss future collaborative projects. They concluded that there are good possibilities in the areas of student projects, IT, curriculum development and R&D. If you would like to learn more about the visit please contact Professor Gray on tom.gray@strath.ac.uk.
Also visiting Malawi in August was Professor Derek Law, Head of the Information Resources Directory. He and Councillor Joe Hendry of Carlisle (a Strathclyde alumnus) visited Mzuzu University, where Councillor Hendry had presented his personal professional library to help set up a much needed library school there (as a result of deaths there are now only twenty qualified librarians in Malawi). Subsequently they visited schools where the Malawi Millennium Project's 'making wonders' initiative has established centres, to check that equipment had been installed and building work been completed. They returned to Lilongwe for the opening of the David Livingstone Clinic. En route they visited the Home of Hope Orphanage at Mchinji where the inspiring 76-year old Rev. Thompson Chipeta looks after 420 children.
Coaching Visit to Malawi
Niall Sturrock, Head of the University's Centre for Sport and Recreation, writes about his visit to Malawi I was invited to conduct a coaching course on behalf of WorldHockey for the Hockey Association of Malawi (HAM). WorldHockey are trying to encourage National Associations to put in place coach education structures within their own organisations and have developed resources to assist this process.
This course was a level 1 course and was the first one that had been held in Malawi. It was hosted at the Limbe Country Club, near Blantyre from 4-10 August, and was attended by 25 participants including 6 women. The group represented a wide age range and included people who were already coaching, teachers, young players and recently retired national team players.
The course included a mix of lectures and practical sessions and finished with all the participants having to deliver a 'mock' coaching session to the other members of their group. At the end of the course, each member was given an 'action plan' to follow which would result in completion of the relevant accreditation requirements.
Since returning I have received a number of emails from members of HAM indicating that all the coaches are showing great enthusiasm and commitment in their efforts to complete the programme.
Funding for the course was sourced through the Olympic Solidarity fund with the support of the Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association of Malawi who monitored the delivery of the course.
The intention of the Hockey Association of Malawi would be to run another course at this level in the next 12-18 months and then one of the next level thereafter when there are sufficient coaches looking for that certification.
Conducting the course allowed me to transport a set of football and netball strips for the Nansato Primary School which had been purchased by the Centre for Sport and Recreation from monies raised during the 'Move for Malawi in March' event run in the Centre. The strips are replicas of the 'Team Strathclyde' kit which is worn by the University Sports Union teams and bears a new logo for the school teams designed by the University's Learning Services department. Although the schools were on holiday while I was there, I was able to present the strips to a Lucy Bale who works in Likhabulu House, which is near Nansato. She will deliver the strips to the school when they return after the holidays.
A donation from the Solicitors, Eversheds, via Professor Kenny Miller, helped pay for a new football pitch.
(As shown in the photos which arrived later, the strips are clearly a huge success.)
Books shipped to Malawi
Two containers containing 210,000 new primary text books were sent to Malawi. The books were donated by Harcourt Education through the contacts of Roy Cook, Director of Residences and Catering Services. The containers, which were paid for by Scottish and Southern Energy and the Scottish Executive, should provide one in four of the Malawian Primary school population with a new book. Further information available at Projects | Books