Back to school
November 23, 2011
School has started in Malawi! This is the hottest season of the year, with no air-conditioners available to alleviate heat from classrooms.
Hamilton and Humphrey are in their third year of high school at Bambino Secondary School in Lilongwe. Their current international curriculum originates from the United Kingdom. Their school partners with the German government and German, French, English and Chechewa are taught in order to give the students a flavor of the world. Their entry into this school is due to their high academic performance, English ability and outstanding behavior.
Happy and Eston are also in their third year of high school, attending a well-known school in Mzuzu called Vipya. They have both been chosen to serve as leaders in their youth group and enjoy different activities, especially soccer.
Harrison, another 3rd year student, excels in music. He sings in the Praise Team at church and has also been chosen as the Chairperson for his Youth group. He attends Wukani Educational Facility in Mzuzu.
Raphael, Benson and David also attend Wukani and are in their first year of High School. They all achieved well on their 8th grade exams and are working hard on their studies--sometimes getting up at 4AM to study! They all enjoy playing soccer and other sports.
Eli, Stanley and Adamson are in 8th grade at the village school in Kande Beach. They’ve had some setbacks and struggles academically, and repeated a grade to ensure they are ready for high school. We are providing a tutor and extra lessons, hoping that they will be able to catch up to their brothers and move forward. Moffat’s brother, Edward, and his wife are caring for them.
Uledi continues to excel at Blantyre International University, serving as the President of the Student Body. On his last visit, we asked him what he'd learned while living with us. He said, “I learned the value of being a good boy, not wasting my time or money, smoking, drinking or chasing girls. I know that you have invested in my future and I want to make sure that I do everything to ensure that I will succeed.” He's now tutoring children part-time for a nonprofit organization, so he can afford some of his own expenses. We are so proud of who he has become, and thank ALL of you for helping to support his education.
Thanks as always for supporting us. We always need more help to afford all the tuition fees, books, uniforms, food, transportation. These boys are quickly showing their potential as leaders of Malawi, and we want to keep them on this path. Please give whatever you can--see our DONATION PAGE to see how far your money goes!
On July 20th—the day when demonstrations and violence were occurring in the cities of Malawi—our family was blessed to be experiencing a holiday/educational trip. Please view additional 
The first thing that struck me about Benson was his desire for affection, but his simultaneous need to hide that desire. Rosemary warned us in advance that Malawi doesn't have a huggy culture, but immediately upon introduction Benson began leaning against me or putting his arm around my shoulders—all the while studiously avoiding eye contact. Unsmiling and serious most of the time, he would gamely chuckle when I made a joke—whether he understood it or not. And when the times to hug arose, he hugged so hard.
I knew about Harrison's reputation as a gifted but stubbornly independent student before we met. Rosemarie told me he had the respect of his classmates—adorably, they called him a "genius"—but that he routinely disobeyed his teachers. I was intrigued. Making things even more interesting: Harrison was a leading candidate for enrollment at Wukani, a well-regarded school in Mzuzu. There were two spots open to the We Are One boys who went to school in the village of Kande Beach. If the criteria were just academic performance, Harrison would be a lock for Wukani. He was tops in his class. But Harrison's behavior was a concern. A decision regarding Harrison's fate, I was told, was imminent. 
I was lucky enough to be buddies with two of the boys during our time in Malawi. At first, I was worried about being able to spend enough time with both boys equally. However, I soon found out that they balance each other. They fill each other's voids. When I couldn't quite hear or understand what Raphael was saying, Happy would repeat it to me with enthusiasm and clarity. When Happy was down or in an appearant funk, I would catch Raphael whispering in his ear to cheer him up.