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| FINAL REPORT 1st January 2008 to
6th April 2009 As the Hunter Trust finally closes its doors, it is time to look both backwards and forwards. Having made the decision in November 2005 to close at this time, we were down to 83 school students and 56 in further education in 2008. Now in 2009 there are 39 in school and 44 in further education, most of them at University. During my January visit this year I have paid for almost all school fees and left arrangements for travel and pocket money. All FE students now have bank accounts, so I was able to give them their allowances for the year. There are sufficient funds given to me in trust to cover all the additional expenses when I return to Malawi at the end of April, and support all our existing students until they finish. 18 students from Holmfirth High School had a life changing experience in July when they went out to visit Masasa Community Day Secondary School. They spent a week painting colourful, educational pictures on the classroom walls. Unfortunately, the two laboratories we have built there are not yet equipped for use, but, hopefully, the remaining Trust funds will be able to help with this. During the 13 years of the Trust’s existence we have raised a total of £446,216.23. We have helped over 1000 students with their education, built teachers’ houses, staffrooms and offices, a kitchen block, libraries and laboratories. Our Malawian trustee Ruben Hango ran teacher training courses at several schools. A great deal of equipment has been transported to Malawi by container thanks to our friends The Raven Trust. Looking forward, Malawi is now training far more teachers for the ever increasing number of schools. This should eventually improve the quality of teaching. There is still a great deal to be done. With elections due next month, hopefully the new government will get down to sorting out problems instead of playing politics. Thanks again to all who have helped The Hunter Trust achieve so much for the people of Malawi. I will still be very much involved with Malawi and its people and will be happy to maintain contact at any time. Gill Hunter, Chairman
Signed on behalf of the Trustees, 6th April 2009 Address: Gill Hunter, |