The school is focused on the future for the students. Those who do well academically will have the opportunity to progress to the Tertiary level through the University of Malawi. However, jobs are not plentiful in this country with its limited industrial development. Food security is of paramount importance as the majority know well coming from subsistence farming backgrounds. The trend to production of drought resistant crops, such as cassava, with all parts of the plant utilised (grown from cuttings) and sweet potatoes, and new hybrids with increased yield is showing the potential to turn subsistence farming, largely maize dependent in the south, into profitable businesses even on relatively small land holdings, and provide more nutritious food.

A 0.1 Ha area planted with 2kg of green maize seeds will yield about 5,000 corn cobs that sell at 10Kwacha/cob to give 50,000Kwacha equivalent to Au$390 (US$365, 180 pounds sterling) in 3 months, provided good farming practices are adopted, such as crop rotation! This is a lot when 65% of the population earn less than US$1/day, but those good practices have generally not been adopted on the land holdings that average 0.8 Ha, with 90% being used for maize only in the Southern Region.

Hence the acquisition by the school of a 1 Hectare block generously donated by the Village Chief, Thom Allan, [see Agricultural Projects ] with the purpose of growing a variety of nutritional foods to provide training for both the students and villagers in new techniques and food types, including fruit trees for vitamins, and in business practices through marketing part of the production.   The Department of Agriculture has enthusiastically welcomed the project and is providing technical guidance in the selection of the most appropriate mix of food types and new methods of production.

A second block of land (3Ha) was also acquired through the generosity of the Australian AIDS Fund Inc . that is and will be used for several purposes, including the Transhaven Trust Nursery School [see PROJECTS page], Volunteers Accommodation, other residential accommodation, and additional agricultural projects with food production. A third block of land (Mulunguzi Land) has also been used to diversify the food types in production.  This trend will continue to educate the students in 'food security' as part of the educational philosophy of the TSP and provide them with a variety of nutritional food.  

Other businesses will also continue to be planned to ensure a continuing source of revenue to supplement the fees from the students. One of these is the maize mill [see HELP US page], requested by the village people to service the surrounding area, which will also be used for the maize production from the TCSS' agricultural projects to give added value; and a chicken and goat farm. Other ideas are always welcome.