INITIAL REPORT March 20, 2013
HELP MLOWE PRIMARY SCHOOL (HMPS)
(INITIAL REPORT, PROPOSALS, RECOMMENDATIONS - from The Interim Committee)
Sources: Mlowe FP School Headmaster (Mr Yotam Kalua) and Interim Committee Members.
Note: This document should never be considered final. Instead, it simply suggests direction this project ought to take. Therefore, it remains at the discretion of the Interim Committee to change any of its details without further notice, more especially after listining to you all, the Mlowe Community. The Interim Committee welcomes your comments.
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STRATEGY
1) Identify project - clearly describe what is to be done. Include photos of the current situation where possible.
2) Plan and Budget - Accurately itemize all tasks that are involved and their estimated costs.
3) Identify Resources - Promote the project by sourcing funds and identifying local self-help resources.
4) Execute - Start the project to be finished within specified time.
5) Present the Results - Go back to the supporters. Thank them. And show them what their help has accomplished. This is very important for future projects.
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCRURES
1) On the Ground (Mlowe) - Identify couple individuals to form Operations Committee that will be responsible for daily activities, and Auditing Committee to be responsible for bookkeeping.
2) Bank Account - Open a savings bank account with Malawi Post Office Savings Bank with at least two signatories. Those in Malawi will be able to make direct deposits. International contributors will be encouraged to use such services like Western Union.
3) Establish sub-committees in all cities in Malawi to promote the cause.
EXISTING STRUCTURES
According to the Mlowe Primary School Headmaster, Mr. Yotam Kalua, there are three existing committees that can help us with our project. The three are: PTA, School Management Committee and Women's Association Committee.
PROPOSAL
HMPS should have two committees on the ground for credibility and transparency: Operations Committee and Auditing Committee. Mloweans on the ground will help form the committees. Duties and Responsibilities to be defined. The Headmaster will be asked to lead this task and report back the results.
SITUATION AT MLOWE PRIMARY
1) Junior Block - Too many potholes in classrooms.
2) Junior Block - Blackboards in poor conditions.
3) Junior Block - Three rooms were evacuated because conditions of door-steps are too dangerous for pupils. Classes are being conducted somewhere, outside.
4) Erosion everywhere that will require landscaping work.
RECOMMENDATION
This should give HMPS first project to tackle. HMPS must put pupils back into classrooms. Period. Packaged with this kind of project is to train school management to develop a practical plan for maintaining structures and surroundings.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
1) Nkhobwa Primary School - Originally this project was planed to help both primary schools in Mlowe but that may not be easy to accomplish. The major challenge would be organization - each school has its own committee(s). There are other kinds of support that we may be considered and shared with Nkhombwa Primary. This topic will remain open for future discussion.
2) Approving Projects - Estimates of financial budget will be a determining factor in approving projects. Those making decisions will need to be honest with themselves as to how much can be raised for individual projects. And realistic decisions can only be made by those raising the funds for a particular project. However, everyone should be involved in identifying projects. This is open to further discussions.
3) Promoting Projects - This will be discussed and will be project oriented.
4) Register Help Mlowe Primary Schools as a formal non-profit organization. Discuss and compare the long-term advantages and disadvantages of doing so. Currently HMPS will act as an agent for Mlowe Primary School and all proceeds will be accounted for by the committees to be formed in Mlowe. HMPS will maintain its own records of contributors.
5) Architectural Impression and Landscape Plan - This may represent vision of how the school should look in future. Can be reserved for future plans and when funds allow.
SHORT-TERM GOALS
1) Form two committees in Mlowe: Operations and Auditing
2) Open bank account to be managed in Mlowe
3) Identify a project first project
NOTE: Short-term goals will soon be communicated to the Headmaster to start working on them. So act immediately if you have concerns.
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Written and submitted by Jaster Nyasulu
(INITIAL REPORT, PROPOSALS, RECOMMENDATIONS - from The Interim Committee)
Sources: Mlowe FP School Headmaster (Mr Yotam Kalua) and Interim Committee Members.
Note: This document should never be considered final. Instead, it simply suggests direction this project ought to take. Therefore, it remains at the discretion of the Interim Committee to change any of its details without further notice, more especially after listining to you all, the Mlowe Community. The Interim Committee welcomes your comments.
----------------------------------------------------------------
STRATEGY
1) Identify project - clearly describe what is to be done. Include photos of the current situation where possible.
2) Plan and Budget - Accurately itemize all tasks that are involved and their estimated costs.
3) Identify Resources - Promote the project by sourcing funds and identifying local self-help resources.
4) Execute - Start the project to be finished within specified time.
5) Present the Results - Go back to the supporters. Thank them. And show them what their help has accomplished. This is very important for future projects.
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCRURES
1) On the Ground (Mlowe) - Identify couple individuals to form Operations Committee that will be responsible for daily activities, and Auditing Committee to be responsible for bookkeeping.
2) Bank Account - Open a savings bank account with Malawi Post Office Savings Bank with at least two signatories. Those in Malawi will be able to make direct deposits. International contributors will be encouraged to use such services like Western Union.
3) Establish sub-committees in all cities in Malawi to promote the cause.
EXISTING STRUCTURES
According to the Mlowe Primary School Headmaster, Mr. Yotam Kalua, there are three existing committees that can help us with our project. The three are: PTA, School Management Committee and Women's Association Committee.
PROPOSAL
HMPS should have two committees on the ground for credibility and transparency: Operations Committee and Auditing Committee. Mloweans on the ground will help form the committees. Duties and Responsibilities to be defined. The Headmaster will be asked to lead this task and report back the results.
SITUATION AT MLOWE PRIMARY
1) Junior Block - Too many potholes in classrooms.
2) Junior Block - Blackboards in poor conditions.
3) Junior Block - Three rooms were evacuated because conditions of door-steps are too dangerous for pupils. Classes are being conducted somewhere, outside.
4) Erosion everywhere that will require landscaping work.
RECOMMENDATION
This should give HMPS first project to tackle. HMPS must put pupils back into classrooms. Period. Packaged with this kind of project is to train school management to develop a practical plan for maintaining structures and surroundings.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
1) Nkhobwa Primary School - Originally this project was planed to help both primary schools in Mlowe but that may not be easy to accomplish. The major challenge would be organization - each school has its own committee(s). There are other kinds of support that we may be considered and shared with Nkhombwa Primary. This topic will remain open for future discussion.
2) Approving Projects - Estimates of financial budget will be a determining factor in approving projects. Those making decisions will need to be honest with themselves as to how much can be raised for individual projects. And realistic decisions can only be made by those raising the funds for a particular project. However, everyone should be involved in identifying projects. This is open to further discussions.
3) Promoting Projects - This will be discussed and will be project oriented.
4) Register Help Mlowe Primary Schools as a formal non-profit organization. Discuss and compare the long-term advantages and disadvantages of doing so. Currently HMPS will act as an agent for Mlowe Primary School and all proceeds will be accounted for by the committees to be formed in Mlowe. HMPS will maintain its own records of contributors.
5) Architectural Impression and Landscape Plan - This may represent vision of how the school should look in future. Can be reserved for future plans and when funds allow.
SHORT-TERM GOALS
1) Form two committees in Mlowe: Operations and Auditing
2) Open bank account to be managed in Mlowe
3) Identify a project first project
NOTE: Short-term goals will soon be communicated to the Headmaster to start working on them. So act immediately if you have concerns.
---
Written and submitted by Jaster Nyasulu