The Rotary Club of Limbe has donated learning materials worth K1.5 million to Lipunga Primary School in Chileka, Blantyre, to improve learning conditions and reward excellence among learners.
The donation includes exercise books, pens, pencils, chalk and dusters. Part of the materials will reward learners who attained positions one to three, while the rest has been left with the school for general use.
Speaking during the handover, Rotary Club of Limbe President Maziko Kalumbu Phiri said the initiative is part of the club’s continued efforts to support education in under-resourced communities.
She said the club works with partner institutions, including Kalibu Academy, which helps identify schools facing challenges.
“Through our partnership with Kalibu Academy, we were introduced to Lipunga Primary School, where learners face shortages of learning materials and lack mathematics sets for Standard 7 pupils moving into Standard 8,” Phiri said.
She said the club mobilised resources to respond to the needs despite limited funding.
Lipunga Primary School head teacher George Chumba welcomed the donation, saying it is the first of its kind at the school.
He said the learning materials will greatly benefit needy learners, most of whom struggle to access basic school supplies.
“This is the first time the school has received such a donation. The books will help learners who are facing difficulties in accessing learning materials,” Chumba said.
He said recognising top-performing learners will also encourage basic education efforts and serve as motivation for others.
Meekness Matumbo, patron of the Interact Club at Kalibu Academy, said the project was aimed at promoting “students helping students” and exposing learners to community service.
“This is our first official activity as an Interact Club, and it has been in planning for months. It is important because it exposes our learners to others and builds a culture of service,” she said.
A learner, Ruth Kapota, said the donation has encouraged learners and will improve their commitment to studies.
“We are very thankful for this support. The books and other materials will help us learn better and work harder in class,” she said.
