Desk for Improved Learning Outcomes - Maghemo Secondary School

We are fundraising for the desks belonging to Maghemo Secondary School - Karonga

Project Overview & Background

Maghemo Secondary School in Karonga, Northern Malawi, is one of the best-performing day schools in the region, sending an average of 60 students to public universities every year. However, a shortage of essential resources, particularly desks, continues to affect students’ comfort, classroom participation, and academic performance.

Each class accommodates 300 students, divided into four streams (A, B, C, and D), with an average of 75 students per stream. While the available desks are sufficient for the senior classes, junior classes, particularly Form One, face the greatest challenge, with 300 students sitting on the floor. Our goal is to provide 200 desks by December 2026 to help address this challenge.

We believe that a desk is more than just a place to sit. It is an essential learning tool that provides students with comfort and confidence while creating an opportunity for them to participate actively in class. With this in mind, we have partnered with Maghemo Secondary School to mobilise resources and seek donations towards providing desks and creating a more conducive learning environment where every student can learn with dignity and confidence.

At the same time, we are strengthening a culture of responsibility, where students, teachers, and the wider community are expected to take responsibility for maintaining and protecting school property. The donated desks will therefore not only benefit the current Form One students but also serve future generations of learners for many years to come.

We sincerely thank the School Headteacher, Macmillan Kamoza, for trusting our organisation to manage this desk project. We also appreciate him for connecting us with our U.S. partners, Andrew Datu and Paul Mushroom, who are currently championing this fundraising campaign in the United States.

Finally, we extend our heartfelt appreciation to every donor who has contributed, regardless of the amount. Your generosity and support mean a great deal. Thank you for standing with Maghemo Secondary School and investing in the future of a Malawian student.

Key Project Objectives

1. To provide 200 desks to Maghemo Secondary School to reduce the shortage of desks among junior students, particularly the 300 Form One students currently sitting on the floor

2. To improve the learning environment by providing students with proper desks that promote comfort, active classroom participation, and effective teaching and learning

3. To promote the long-term use and protection of school property by encouraging students, teachers, and the community to take responsibility for maintaining the donated desks for the benefit of current and future students

Delivered Results & Outcomes

So far, 5.4 Million Malawi Kwacha has been raised in a month and 40 desks have been created and delivered at Maghemo Secondary School.

Project Gallery & Field Photos

High-resolution photographic documentation from the project site

2 Photos

The current situation at Maghemo, students sitting on the floor in a history class taught by Mr. Brian.

This is a sample desk that has already been made by our local carpenter, Chance Mwanjabala, from within the community.

Impact Stories & Field Updates

Real stories from the beneficiaries touched by this project

1 Story

Yotham Swira, Age 14 Karonga District

Desks Have Increased Class Attendance Among Form One Students at Maghemo Secondary School

""I stopped missing classes because I can now sit on a desk.”"

My name is Yotham Ngwira, a Form One student at Maghemo Secondary School. I come from Mwambuli Village T/A Kyungu, Karonga. Before the school received the new desks, I sometimes missed classes because sitting on the floor made learning uncomfortable and boring. It was difficult to concentrate, and I often felt discouraged from attending lessons. Things have now changed. I have a desk where I can sit comfortably, write my notes and follow lessons like other students. I no longer have a reason to miss classes because of the lack of a desk. I am grateful to Together for Change and all the donors who made this possible. Your support has made a real difference in my education.

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Community Comments & Support

Messages of encouragement and community feedback on this project

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Project Funding

24% Funded

MWK 6,196,363 raised MWK 26,000,000 goal

2 supporters 24% of target

Direct your donation to Desk for Improved Learning Outcomes - Maghemo Secondary School via PayChangu (Visa/Mastercard Cards, Airtel Money, TNM Mpamba). 100% of funds support field deliverables in Malawi.

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