This month, we have lots to share with you, so we will get right down to it. Malawian schools took a term-break in December, and during this free time period, another teacher-training was hosted as part of the POF (Pre-school Of the Future) program. For two weeks, the four teachers from the Community Based Childcare Center (CBCC) at the Umodzi-Mbame CBO, along with thirteen other teachers from surrounding CBCCs, continued their training in holistic education and local resource management. The teachers are continuing to make learning materials for their classrooms from scrap materials which are readily available in rural Malawian villages (many ideas actually come from the children!), rather than depending on donations or purchases of toys and materials from town (most all of which come from China or Taiwan).

The preschool resumed classes on January 7th, registering sixty children and welcoming a new teacher, Rhoda Mwale. In addition to Rhoda and in accordance with teacher requests and visions of the model school, four teacher assistants have begun working with each of the respective teachers. This has increased the individual attention each child receives, as well as the quality of classroom management for each teacher.

Some new volunteers have joined the Executive Committee of the CBO and now the committee is composed of individuals who have shown their commitment and support for the school and its future. Additionally, the Parent Committee for the school has been reorganized with current parents. Every school day one can find parents cleaning up before and after school and also cooking the school meal for the students. Hopes are high that the refashioned Executive Committee will be able to organize an income generating activity to sustain the CBCC and other possible programs. Already, there is one very successful garden being cultivated by the CBO volunteers which will provide food for the school as well as additional income to support the CBCC maintenance.

On January 19th, the Umodzi-Mbame CBO and boNGO organized an interactive Creativity Day for the local community. An open invitation was extended to anyone interested in showcasing their talents or creativity, as well as the opportunity to win prizes. The day was a wonderful success, as more than one hundred attendees witnessed a variety of performances, including live and DJ music, dancing, a capella singing, drama, poetry, and even joyous expressions of appreciation for the preschool and its benefit to the community.

The community's income generating activity of a Maize Mill has now been open and operating since October of last year, and it is a great success. As the Executive Committee predicted, the supply of customers is seemingly endless, as it is the only maize mill in a large region. Another sign of success is the consistency of business considering the season: the harvest and busy milling season doesn't come until April. The maize mill is operated by community volunteers, who also maintain the accounts. Already, enough profit has been made to help purchase food for the childcare centers and also medicine for its Home-Based Care Program!

Finally, a personal note to our players. We have heard from many players who have not only been impressed with the great growth of this program, but have expressed the desire for direct contact and involvement. To this end, a new website dedicated to this amazing project has now been launched. Get more detailed information (and if you are so moved, you can even now directly donate to this very worthy project!) by visiting Hope - For A New Generation and learn how you and $lotland together can keep making a big difference for many appreciative lives!

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