2016-05-17 From Janny Law, a HK volunteer in Malawi
Zomba Prison Band ...and school uniforms
Last year I received from Fr John a link regarding the nomination of Zomba Prison Band for a 2016 Grammy Award. Although they failed in the competition, a digital album was released in US and on internet.
On 3 May, I visited the prison and found that the band is more equipped now and they are making their album locally. This is very encouraging!
Apart from visiting the band, the main purpose of my visit was to see the possibilities to establish a social enterprise. The plan is to refresh the existing tailor workshop of the prison and marry it to a school uniform project. The money received from parents will be for inmates' salary, workshop maintenance, as well as to help those who cannot afford to buy school uniforms. If it works well, then the project could be extended to the whole country.
Unlike in Hong Kong, uniforms are done by tailors within villages. Buttons and button holes are not provided when finished. Parents need to go to town if they have the money to do that. Having the uniforms ready is already a big challenge to them. Some students do not go to schools because of that. They feel embarrassed.
See
these photos of students with uniform problems!
Also this photo!
I have talked to the Deputy Head Teacher of Lifuwu Primary School about the project. He is happy to start from their school. I hope that this project will come true soon.
If any readers of Fr John's website would like to help with this project, please email me: janny_law@hotmail.com
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My 2015 photos of Janny in Malawi: Jan 5 Jan 6 Jan 7
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