We need the following for the Transhaven Chilunga Secondary School:

Student Sponsorships

Needed most for the orphans in Malawi, our student sponsorship scheme has successfully supported 70 students so far at Transhaven Chilunga Secondary School. There are many more in need. The program will be ongoing as more disadvantaged students find places at the TCSS, as time goes by. Our aim has been not to turn away any student who is eligible to enter Secondary School, if there is room for them, even if unable to pay the fees. For details on the sponsorship program and how to become a sponsor at only AU$180/year (AU$15/month) see the SPONSORSHIPS page. Tax deductibility is now available for donations from Australian tax payers. You can make a real difference to the life of a student!

Agricultural Projects

Quotes on a maize mill to fulfil a request from the surrounding villages for them to be able to grind their maize (and for that produced from the TCSS' agricultural projects [see the PROJECTS page]) were obtained for a business study on the profitability of this venture. The aim was to provide additional funding for staff wages and running costs. We are delighted to report that Unity of Hawaii's congregation has generously donated funds that have provided for a complete maize milling business. Small donations [see DONATE page] are always welcome to help purchase seeds, fruit trees, fertilisers, and tools for the development of the TCSS' agricultural projects.  

Many reference and other general reading books have been acquired for a reference library - many donated by Secondary Schools in Australia, as well as some from other schools, families and individuals. They were dispatched by shipping container, funded by donations from business organisations, the church groups and individuals.  A purpose designed building is needed with appropriate shelving, costed at Au$35,000. Tables and chairs for reading and computers for information storage and searching  donated by the Rotary Club of Geelong are also in the container.

Administration building

With the continuing growth in the number of students and staff at the TCSS there is a need for more office and staff room space. The number of students has grown steadily from 20 when it opened in January 2005, to 82 at the beginning of 2006, 320 at the beginning of  2007 and 351 in Term 1, 2008.  Completion of the 4th classroom block allows a student capacity of 400. A new administration building is needed to provide adequate services and staff space at an estimated cost of AU$30,000.

Transport 

Many of the students walk long distances to get the chance to receive a secondary school education. Some of the teachers also come from far away as there is no suitable accommodation in the village area. A 22-seater high roof 'minibus' (AU$14,000 to $17,000 second-hand in Malawi) is highly desirable to bring students and teachers to the school, take them home, and for educational and sports outings. A 1-tonne truck for load carrying to and from the school in the Zomba area is also needed to bring materials and equipment to the school as the staff do not have cars. Indeed, bicycles have been purchased for the teachers coming from far away whose salaries do not cover that expenditure. More will be needed for new teachers this year (2007) at a cost per bicycle between AU$150 and AU$180.

Residential and Boarding Facilities

For staff living far from the school and those students who have already asked to come from much greater distances away. Some donations for a Volunteers Accommodation building [see VOLUNTEER page] were received and the building reached the stage that plastering, plumbing, painting and installation of electrical fittings are still required at a cost of $20,350.

School Materials and equipment

There is an ongoing need for more school text books and teaching materials as the students cannot afford to buy their own. Text books range in price from AU$15 to AU$30 each. These have to be acquired locally to conform to the Malawi National Examination Board’s (MANEB’s) curriculum requirements. Generous donors have again supported the need for school materials, such as exercise books, and other stationery materials that are also in the shipping container. Reference and textbooks donated by Australian Secondary Schools will also be of great assistance to the students studies.
New or used calculators, including scientific calculators (AU$18 upwards) are needed as the number of students grows. Donations towards the purchase of such items [see DONATIONS ] locally in Malawi would be most welcome. A public address system is needed for assemblies in the new school hall. The local cost is of the order of AU$900 upwards.

Telephones

Cell (mobile) phones are used at present for outside contact as the old telephone line that passed by the school has long since disappeared and is unlikely to be replaced.  There are 4 times as many cell phones in Malawi as land lines.

Airfreight for donated goods

Many items have been caringly donated to both the TSP, and for orphans in the Zomba District as a whole. A second 40' container was funded by generous, caring and sharing supporters and dispatched by sea to Beira and overland to Zomba. While air freight is expensive it will be used for further small shipments of soft or light weight donated items such as clothing that are being received particularly for the orphans and other disadvantaged children.

We need the following for the Transhaven Trust Nursery School:

Equipment  and Materials 

Educational toys and equipment, including art easels; and indoor and outdoor play equipment are all needed. More teaching aids will be required as the school continues to grow.

Sponsorships

Sponsorships at AU$120/year (only AU$10/month) are required for the most needy; the orphans and other disadvantaged children. [See SPONSORSHIPS page for details and how to become a sponsor]. Tax deductibility is now available for donations from Australian tax payers. You can make a real difference to the life of one of these children! So far 35 of the most needy children have been sponsored.