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!

We visited Kasungu National Park where we had a picnic and hiked with a forest ranger, armed with a rifle in case we encountered a ferocious lion. Fortunately or unfortunately— depending on your point of view—we only saw monkeys, crocodiles and many trees.

We traveled on to Nkhotakota Pottery Lodge (where our friends from America stayed during their 2008 visit) to enjoy beautiful Lake Malawi, delicious meals, and creating pottery. The boys were able to make clay bowls on the wheel and paint an already-molded cup. A good time was enjoyed by all. These are wonderful memories that we will share forever and are thankful to many of you for sharing your resources to make this trip possible.


When the boys experience new and different things, their development is enlarged and expanded.
They will begin the school year in September in the following grades: Eston, Happy, Humphrey, Hamilton and Harrison as juniors in High-School; David, Raphael, Benson and Eli as freshmen; Adamson and Stanley as 8th Graders; and Uledi as a Junior in University. You will be investing in the future of Malawi if you assist with school fees for these boys and others who are looking for a bright future through education.

The majority of our original 12 boys have moved out of the village to attend quality schools in Mzuzu, Lilongwe and Blantyre. All of these schools command high fees. Due to increasing costs of supporting our boys in high school, and three college students, we've had to reduce the number of our other scholarship students to five. We'd love to be able to support more students, but for the last couple years the gap between funds raised and funds needed is shrinking.

Fundraiser-free years like this are particularly problematic just to deal with the students we already have. Tuition costs keep rising, and the remaining funds from 2010 are stretched thin. We currently only have enough in our account to finish out 2011. When funds run out, programs get cut. The problem is, our "programs" are actually students. Some students may not be able to finish out their schooling. Some students may have to switch to the inadequate government schools.

Our current costs:

Private school in Mzuzu: $510 per year x 6 students
Boarding school in Lilongwe: $2,165 per year x 2 students
International-level universities: $2000 per year x 2 students
Junior college: $940 per year x 1 student
Government high school: $930 year total for 5 students

Although we had a very successful fundraiser in 2010, this total of $13,260 per year for all students combined only covers school fees. Other than the boarding school in Lilongwe, students still need food, clothing, school supplies, which certainly adds up. We also try to take the boys on occasional educational trips, but even with a strict budget, we have a lot of boys!

We are striving to ensure school fees are not another barrier for these students to maintain focus and finish their education. Any amount you can donate will help! WE ARE ONE, as a registered 501(c)3 organization, helps us invest in the future of our country.

You can donate easily and quickly online using Network for Good. You'll receive a tax receipt by email.

We are also happy to take your tax-deductible donations by mail:

WE ARE ONE Malawi c/o Kip Myers (check payable to WE ARE ONE)
305 Bergen Street Apt. #1D
Brooklyn, NY 11217

Thank you as always for all your help!

Throughout the ordeal, we held on to our inner peace and did our best to create a calm atmosphere. The men were unlikely to be part of the community we work in as they didn't know or recognize us. But as we talked gently to them--assuring them that God still loves them despite their actions, explaining that Moffat and I are pastors--they eventually backed off from their ultimate plan.

The police think the thieves tracked me home from the bank after I'd made a large withdrawal. This withdrawal was intended to pay for a week's worth of materials and labor for the community center we've been building since the end of 2010. We are saddened that the work had to be put on hold until we can gather more funds.

The community center's foundation has been laid next to the big, beautiful church that Moffat designed himself, and will reflect a similar design. We intend to use this space for youth activities, weddings, town meetings, etc--although it's located next to the church, it will be used for a variety of purposes.

We truly need the help of our friends at this time. This is the ideal season in Malawi for construction work, but the work cannot continue until we have the funds.

BUILDING COSTS
1 bag of cement: $20
1 truckload of bricks: $60
Truck rental: $60
1 week of labor: $150

The roof alone may cost around $10,000. With $20,000 in hand, we could potentially finish the building in three months. If we could collect even half the funds this summer, we can at least get started. Any small amount would be greatly appreciated--this would mean so much to the people of Mzuzu.

Rainy season starts in November, so we'd love to get the maximum time possible out of the dry season. Please donate whatever you can by JULY 30TH to help us finish as much of the building as we can before the rains start! Thank you for your support!

We are also happy to take your tax-deductible donations by mail:

WE ARE ONE Malawi c/o Kip Myers (check payable to WE ARE ONE)
305 Bergen Street Apt. #1D
Brooklyn, NY 11217

You've all been so generous over these last few years! Please consider making another tax-deductible donation in 2011. We take online payments as well as checks!

We hope to have some updates posted in the next few weeks, such as current pictures of our boys and news from their schools.

Just wanted to let you know that Uledi Banda, another boy beyond our 12 that we have raised for 10 years and that now we are sponsoring to go to Blantyre International University, was elected to the post of President of his Student Body. This is quite an accomplishment for several reasons: he is only a sophomore and was running against others who were older than himself; he had no funds for campaigning, while others were spending quite a lot; he is already spending a lot of his time as a member of several organizations, as well as volunteering at an orphanage. As you can imagine, we are very proud of him and see this as a first step for him as he grows into more leadership opportunities. It is also great because he is an example for all the other boys on what you can accomplishment through hard work, discipline and good character (as well as a great sense of humor!)

Thanks to Tim Ayers who contributed to his welfare by giving in the name of a friend who was getting married. That also encouraged him a great deal, to know that you care!

We arrived the first evening at Pastor Peter's in near-silence. Hoping to break the ice, I offered him the opportunity to play with my camera.

The friends who participated in Camp Malawi really blew me away. Without their dedication, this would have never happened. None of us are teachers and yet when we arrived each morning in the classroom and became just that.

We are constantly getting positive feedback from the children, teachers and other adults about how grateful they are for everything that was done at Camp Malawi.]]> http://www.weareonemalawi.org/blog/2008/09/camp_malawi_thank_you.html http://www.weareonemalawi.org/blog/2008/09/camp_malawi_thank_you.html Camp Malawi Tue, 23 Sep 2008 23:03:41 -0500 Upon meeting Humphrey you immediately recognize his sweet and genuine spirit. He has a concern and sensitivity for others that is expressed through his conversations and actions.

As Humphrey and I got to know one another it was amazing to me how much effort he put into better understanding me and my life in the United States. I was struck by how thoughtful his questions were as he asked about my job, what I like to do, and what I thought was the most different between Malawi and the U.S. He had clearly thought about how he could better know me and my life.

In this photo taken by Rosemary, the boys are joined by ESF student Uledi Banda.

From left: Uledi, Eston, Happy, Hamilton, Humphrey