Academy Arrival Day

Today, seventy-one of Malawi’s brightest Form 4 students from Community Day Secondary Schools arrived at Kamuzu Academy (KA) to attend, for many, their first camp. Students traveled from as far North as Chitipa and as far South as Mulanje. For many campers, a first trip away from home.

We had a pleasant surprise visit on Saturday by Headmaster of KA, Mr. Francis Cooke. Mr. Cooke was kind enough to spare a few minutes from his busy schedule and provide us with information about KA. Kamuzu Academy is a private secondary school located thirty kilometers outside of Kasungu Town. The Academy was built in 1975 by Malawi’s first President, Hastings Kamuzu Banda, to provide the best education possible for all attendees. The school is tucked away in its own environment so that students have no distractions and can focus on their schoolwork. Currently, there are 498 students registered at the school, with sixty-eight Form 2 pupils financially sponsored by the Malawi Government. Kamuzu Academy is well-known throughout Eastern Africa and strives to find Africa’s brightest minds and to propel these individuals forward for continental development. Mr. Cooke passionately shares PCVs’ belief that Malawi’s ability to develop lies within its hardest working students. Unfortunately, many of these high achieving students must overcome not only the usual academic challenges but also bear the burden of under-resourced CDSSs. Our campers are unable to attend the prestigious Academy but are gracious for one week of much deserved, resource-filled education here.

After a long day of preparation and campus decoration, the real fun began- the students arrived! Students traveling from their home villages, Blantyre or Mzuzu were met in the Kasungu and Lilongwe bus depots and entertained by our wonderful counselors. Activities included: soccer, frisbee, bingo, and puzzles. Many of these students reached KA around dinner time on a loaded matola. Their excitement peaked when they were introduced to their counselors and junior counselors. Afterward, students were lead to their dormitories and dined with their respective bird teams: eagles, finches, owls, and herons.

The night session featured introductions and a student favorite dance, the Macarena. Students met with their counselors before lights out to discuss logistics and learn team cheers. While meeting with my team, I was able to ask some of my students how they are feeling about the week. Here’s what a few had to say about camp so far:

•        “I am so excited for being received so well.”
•        “I just want to get more knowledge.”
•        “I am happy for this chance to learn more.”

And of course, I had to ask the students how they were enjoying the exotic food. So far, no complaints- “Madam, we are very satisfied, even without nsima.”

All students are incredibly excited to be here and their opportunity to learn and to make new friends. Tonight, our seventy-one student campers set the tone for a wildly successful week. We will keep the energy and excitement sky high as the week flies by.

Reach Up. Sky!!