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| During the year 2002, 178 students were assisted. School
fees have continued to increase due to the declining economic situation in
the country and food shortages. The Head of every school visited had a list
of students they were having to send home through lack of fees. With so much
demand, we frequently ask the staff to decide upon their most deserving students
for us to help. This is bringing far better results.In January this year we
found that 13 of our students had qualified to write the University Entrance
examinations. We had a pass rate of over 70% compared with the national average
of 34%. Tertiary education is now going to bring a huge increase in our student
spending. It was purely by chance that Gill spotted an advert in the newspaper for a pre-medical course to be started in Malawi in 5 weeks time. Being in the right place at the right time, and with a great deal of running around, express mail etc., we managed to get Nitah Chinyama's application in on time and she was accepted on the course. Equivalent to A levels, if she passes she is guaranteed a place at the Medical School in Malawi! Her mother had come for help to Ruben Hango before her final year at school. She had previously paid for Nitah's fees by making and selling donuts, but with no money for maize, people had nothing for extras. She had managed to earn 80 out of the 2500 kwacha needed. The course will cost us around £250 per year and in 7 year's time we should have produced our first Doctor! Thomas is about to complete his Accountancy degree and is already earning extra pocket money as he teaches part time at a small private college in Blantyre. His course has lasted at least 6 months too long because of frequent closures at the Polytechnic. Doricah is now happily settled in her boarding school and doing well.
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