Tag: Community

Community, Education, Malawi, Youth

Tutorials under the trees 

Phunzira

NYM continues to host ad hoc tutorials throughout the year. At times, these are individual one-to-one tutorials for students run by the staff according to their own strengths, and at other times, whole classes are brought to NYM by primary school teachers to receive extra lessons on our site.

In the hot season, everyone is keen to leave the heat of the classroom in the afternoon for their extra tutorials and take up lessons in the shade of the many trees we have on site at Nyumba ya Masambiro.

Nyumba ya Masambiro will always remain an open space for any members of the community to come and converse, learn, and be together, and we are grateful to the teachers from Ruarwe Primary School next door for using our open space to conduct their extra lessons.

Community, Education, Malawi, UK Schools, Volunteers, Youth

Stories Without Borders: From Scotland to Ruarwe

Phunzira

We are delighted to share the joyful news of a special collaboration that has connected learners across continents through the power of storytelling.

In 2023, two teachers travelled from Inverkeithing, Scotland, to our community in Ruarwe. During their visit, they worked closely with learners at both Ruarwe Primary School as well as youth visitors to Nyumba ya Masambiro to collect and record local stories — tales of daily life, imagination, culture, and hope.

At the same time, back in their own school in Scotland, students were also busy writing and sharing their stories. The result is a beautiful exchange of voices and experiences, bridging communities through creativity and mutual learning.

We are proud to announce that these stories have now been officially published into books. Even more exciting, copies of the books have arrived in Ruarwe, where learners can see their words in print and read the stories of their friends in Scotland.

The books are now available at the NYM Library, where community members, students, and visitors are warmly invited to come and read them.

This project is a wonderful reminder that while our communities may be separated by distance, stories have the power to bring us together. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the teachers, students, and everyone involved in making this cross-cultural journey possible.

Community, Malawi

Ongoing renovations and maintenance at Nyumba ya Masambiro 

Phunzira

In preparation for the upcoming rainy season, ongoing renovation and maintenance continues. This includes replastering of an uphill facing wall to protect it for the incoming water deluge during the rains, repainting the black lower ring around all buildings to help reseal the lower walls and protect from water ingress as well as starting to prepare new iron roofing sheets for the library roof by painting them with roof guard sealant. Ongoing maintenance is essential every year to protect Nyumba ya Masambiro’s buildings from both the damage from the strong UV rays during the sunny seasons as well as the heavy rains during rainy season. 

Healthcare, Malawi, Testimonial, Volunteers

Volunteer testimonial – Claire Eatwell

Phunzira

We would like to extend a huge “thank you!” to volunteer Claire who volunteered with us in Ruarwe for 4 weeks. A qualified doctor from Australia, with experience with remote working there, Claire worked alongside the staff at Ruarwe Health Centre and really got stuck into life at Nyumba ya Masambiro and in the village. She has written a wonderful summary of her time here in Malawi: 

“🇲🇼I was thanked by community members for coming to work at Ruarwe Health Clinic because it is so remote that not even local Malawian doctors want to go there. It is only accessible by boat and foot. There are no roads. There was no running water for most of my time there and only electricity to a few key buildings in the village.

It was a no-brainer for me to go to Ruarwe; it is all I’ve ever wanted to do. I have been fully aware of my privilege since I was young. Lucky to be born into a wealthy white family to very healthy and loving parents in a country where others were and continue to battle a multitude of devastating illnesses and hardship. 

My role in Ruarwe was to give the medical assistant a break. He has been working 24/7 365 for the last 7 years. Yes, that is right he has been on call for the last 7 years and receives a whopping salary of approx. $500/month. I would see everyone in the morning clinic, and he would “switch off,” answer any questions, and see the very sick patients that’d require inpatient observation. 

Yes, it was tough. I was using a translator the whole time, so nothing was quick and easy. Were there cultural barriers? Yes, of course, but that happens everywhere you go. Would I do it again? Yes, of course. 

Thank you to Phunzira and NYM for making it possible. Thank you to Philippa for making the whole experience amazing. Thank you to the Ruarwe community, NYM staff, and clinic staff for welcoming me in and helping me every day. Tawonga chomene 🖤❤️💚”

Thank you Claire for giving your time to the community and we very much hope to see you here again soon!


Community, Education, Malawi, Youth

Youth Hall at NYM used by community members

Phunzira

The Youth Hall at Nyumba ya Masambiro continues to be an open space for the wider community to hold meetings. In the last few months, it has been used by the chiefs’ council, youth leaders within the community and Temwa for example.
Temwa, the NGO based in Usisya, 20km south of Ruarwe, has similar objectives to Nyumba ya Masambiro. Working within the realms of health, education, agriculture and the environment, Ruarwe is within the catchment area for Temwa. Once or twice a month, Temwa comes to host a friendly football match tied in with education within the Ruarwe area. On these visits, they make use of the Nyumba ya Masambiro Youth Hall for their preparatory meetings and discussions.
We are grateful that Nyumba ya Masambiro remains a safe and open space and the preferred meeting space for community members far and wide!

Donations, Education, Malawi

Donation of Early Reader Books to the Library

Phunzira

We’re thrilled to announce the donation of over 30 early-reader books to the Nyumba ya Masambiro library, thanks to the efforts of our current volunteers Jeremy and Norma!

From very first A,B,C and early word books to more complex books for children in the first years of primary school, these books will help to spark curiosity, support foundational English and literacy skills, and help young children fall in love with reading from the very beginning.

Early reading is one of the most powerful tools we can give a child. It’s about more than just learning to read—it’s about growing confidence, expanding vocabulary, supporting cognitive development, and laying the groundwork for success in school and beyond. Children who have access to engaging, age-appropriate books are far more likely to thrive both academically and socially. Children from the community frequently ask to come and read with volunteers in order to improve their understanding and English language skills. It is wonderful to have a new supply of books, which children can read both independently and with any volunteers at NYM. 

The books donated by Jeremy and Norma will make a big difference for the young learners who visit the library each day. A huge thank you to them for taking the time and energy to collect all these incredible books and for bringing them out to Malawi, and to everyone who continues to support this journey. Together, we are creating a space where reading is celebrated and learning never stops.

Community, Donations, Education, Healthcare, Malawi

Menstrual Health and Hygiene Program

Phunzira

Phunzira is excited to announce a new collaboration with Supreme Sanitary Pads, a social enterprise based in Nkhata Bay that produces reusable menstrual pads locally. Through this partnership, we have provided a menstrual health and hygiene education program as well as the distribution of reusable sanitary pad packs to schoolchildren within the Nyumba Ya Masambiro catchment area. 

Of the 10 Primary schools within NYM’s catchment area, 6 have been selected to run the first education and distribution program. Two trainers from Supreme Sanitary Pads have come to Ruarwe to run the menstrual health and hygiene education program at the 6 selected schools, as well as training local ambassadors, who can continue to provide the education in the future. The program is taught to both boys and girls, with some sessions separate and some together as is appropriate and considerate of social customs, whilst also working to break down stigmas. Each attendee then received a pack which includes: 1 lined tote bag, which can be used as a school bag, 5 reusable sanitary pads, 2 pens, 2 pencils and 1 exercise book, 1 eraser and 1 pencil sharpener. The boys included in the program can pass on the sanitary pads to sisters/mothers or friends who can use them. On this occasion the funding allows the program to reach 600 students within the area. 

Each pack includes enough pads to manage a monthly period and the pads last up to two years and come with educational guidance on menstrual hygiene and safe usage. These pads not only ensure dignity and comfort but also significantly reduce the risk of school absenteeism during menstruation. And because they are washable and long-lasting, they’re a cost-effective, eco-friendly solution compared to disposable alternatives or chitenge rags commonly used in these rural areas, which are very prone to leaks. 

Supreme operates as a true social enterprise—every purchase supports local employment and reinvests profits back into the business and educational outreach efforts.  We’re proud to work alongside them to address menstrual health challenges, break stigma, and help girls stay in school.

This launch marks a significant step forward in our ongoing mission to make education more inclusive. We look forward to raising further funds in the future to allow us to expand the program to the remaining primary and two secondary schools in the area.

Community, Education, Malawi

Social Media Update: Building Skills to Share Our Story

Phunzira

Staff at Nyumba ya Masambiro recently took part in a focused social media training aimed at strengthening their ability to document and share updates from daily life at the centre. First introducing the concept of social media, and then focusing on photography and documenting the activities of NYM. 

The training, led by Phunzira together with our current volunteer, is designed to equip NYM staff with practical tools to highlight the ongoing work happening across education, youth programs, and community initiatives. By improving how we share stories and photos online, we hope to give supporters a closer look at the impact of their contributions—right from the people on the ground.

This is part of our broader effort to increase transparency, communication, and connection with the wider community. We look forward to bringing you more regular updates from NYM in the months ahead.

Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram or Facebook for updates coming from the staff at NYM, and please be patient as they find their feet with this new skill!

Donations, Education, Fundraising, Malawi, Nursery

New Nursery Uniforms for NYM’s Youngest Learners!

Phunzira

Following ongoing requests from the Nursery School parents, Nyumba ya Masambiro has successfully purchased brand new school uniforms for all of the Nursery School children. Uniforms play a vital role in fostering a sense of belonging, equality and school identity, helping to build a positive and focused learning environment. 

The nursery school at NYM provides foundational education for dozens of children in the local community, setting them on a strong path for future academic success. With early childhood education being a critical component of lifelong learning, initiatives like these make a lasting impact. We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who made this possible. While this first round of uniforms was purchased by NYM, going forward they will be purchased by the Nursery School student’s parents, though no child will ever be turned away from NYM’s nursery for not having a uniform.

Community, Donations, Education, Malawi

Uniform Donation Supports Students in NYM Catchment Area

Phunzira

Two teachers from a school in Inverkeithing, Scotland, who visited Ruarwe in 2023, organised a generous donation to Nyumba ya Masambiro through the sale of Chitenge items made by their High School Craft Club. As agreed, NYM has put the money towards a range of new school uniforms, which have been provided to a number of vulnerable and low-income students in the region.

For many families, the cost of uniforms can be a barrier to consistent school attendance, because while education itself is free at primary level, parents are expected to pay for uniforms, exercise books, pens and pencils etc. This donation helps ease that burden, ensuring that more learners feel equipped and confident as they take part in their education.

The uniforms were made by a local tailor here within the community, meaning that this donation not only allows some students to attend school, who would otherwise have been excluded, but also contributes to the local economy. We’re incredibly grateful for this thoughtful contribution, which supports our wider efforts to make education more accessible to all children in the communities we serve.