MAUNI - CHUGACH'S SISTER SCHOOL IN MALAWI
MAUNI
Chugach's Sister School in Malawi
BEING GLOBAL CITIZENS
We believe an important part of growing up - and an important part of a full education - is understanding our place in a world with many people with many needs. We believe that we can support in small ways and big ways. One way in which the community of Chugach Optional helps teach this lesson is the real-life application of fundraising to support Mauni, our sister school in Malawi, Africa. Chugach Optional community is the only community supporting Mauni.
GREETINGS FROM MAUNI
Shared words from Headmistress Beatrice Kumwanje
after receiving our support in 2023
"Today is a big day at Mauni where by everyone is excited to see great things arriving.
We are even failing to express our happiness on this page.
Teachers, students and administrators, everybody is happy.
No one is wishing to knock off today. Unforgettable day in our life.
We shall remember and pray for you forever.
June 2023
CHUGACH EVENTS
KINDY BREAD SALE
March 2024 End of Day Chugach Hallway
Kindy Bread is a tradition that Kindy friends make and enjoy on Chugach Full Fridays. Older students remember Kindy Bread fondly. Kindy friends and families make hundreds of pieces of Kindy Bread for Kindy friends to sell to the community in the hallway. Yummy smells and wonderful memories!
ART NIGHT
March 1, 2024, 5:30pm - 7:00pm
How does Art Night work? Chugach students, families, school groups, classrooms and community members donate pieces of art. The artwork is sold on Art Night at a fixed price, or by silent auction. Past art pieces have included paintings, jewelry, wall art, pottery, quilts, knitted garments, stained glass, garden art, and furniture. Some of the artwork is created by established artists; other artwork is created by amateurs, students or determined rookies. Craft tables at the event allow kids to try their hand at a new skill. All funds raised go directly to the Mauni Primary School.
OUR HISTORY
2022 - 2023
In March, Tropical Cyclone Freddy hit Malawi and, while thankfully no lives were lost around Mauni, damage was done. Instead of raising funds for teacher housing, Mauni shared that they needed support in structural damage to the buildings as well as water damage to supplies, desks and chairs. Mauni was very grateful for our support.
2021 - 2022
We were excited to be able to have our Kindy Bread sales and Art Night restored after the pandemic. Mauni staff was grateful for the support, especially for desks and writing supplies. Many students are from ultra poor families who are not able to buy school supplies therefore the students drop-out of school. Students were motivated by the new desks. More students attended school because it is easier to stand and answer questions from desks than the floor.
2020 - 2021
Before the COVID pandemic began in March 2020, Chugach was able to have our Art Night. We sent the funds to Mauni with the message to use the funds as needed during the pandemic and to take care of each other. In 2021, while Chugach was learning from home, individuals donated funds through Malawi Children’s Village.
2014 - 2019
Along with school supplies and school repairs, Chugach students voted to support scholarships for 15 students to continue school through through Gracious Secondary School (9th-12th).
2013 - 2014
Chugach students chose to build 2 teacher houses on the school’s property. With a dedicated place to live, Mauni School was able to secure teachers
who wanted to stay in the village.
2011 - 2012
The Mauni teachers were walking, rain or shine, 3 miles each way to get
to school and there were times when they didn’t make it. The Chugach students decided to purchase 12 bicycles for the teachers to travel safely so they could teach.
2010 - 2012
Chugach students decided to support the need of desks and benches. Local carpenters in Malawi were contracted to build them locally. Chugach students decided to support the making of
student uniforms so everyone had something to wear. Soccer balls and jump ropes were also purchased. School books, paper, pencils, soccer balls and jump ropes were also purchased.
2007 - 2009
Chugach students chose to build 4 more classrooms, a storage room and a teachers’ office. These were
built with metal supports instead of wood so the termites couldn’t eat them. There was a metal roof instead of straw. Our sister school was being built to last.
2004 - 2006
At first, the girls did not go to school because there were no bathrooms.
Chugach students raised enough funds to build 2 six-hole latrines.
With the girls now attending, over 900 students were going to school.
In 2006, Art Night, Malawi book sale and Kindy Bread sale began
to involve our Chugach community in raising funds for “our sister school”.
2004
Madelyn volunteered with Malawi Children’s Village.
She learned of the hopes and needs of the village to expand Mauni School.
The bricks for the school were made two at a time per day.
About 500 male students shared the classrooms and the baobab tree.
When she returned, Madelyn shared her experience with Chugach.
Our students chose to support Mauni School as our sister school.