MOET (Mangochi Orphans Education and Training) is a community based coeducational day school for orphans and vulnerable children. It not only provides primary school education but also practical skills training in a caring environment. The teaching of vocational skills lays a foundation for improving the living quality of all children, whether or not they move on to secondary school. The knowledge of sustainable agriculture taught, which is not dependent on expensive fertilisers, enhances the prospects for maintaining their livelihood. vinspired Lake of Stars is proud to support MOET this year. During the festival, many of the headling acts including Afrikan Boy, Get Cape Wear Cape Fly, Tinashe and the Noisettes visited the school along with volunteers and festival go-ers. We caught up with vinspired Lake of Stars volunteer Jenny Bowie to find out what happened on the day.

1)    Hi Jenny! Can you tell us a little bit about your trip to MOET?

At the start of the visit, Headteacher Patterson gave a talk on the school’s development and welcomed the visitors. Then, as the children lined up to receive their lunch, we heard from ‘Marys Meals’ (who were providing the lunch) about how they work in Malawi, and across the world, to feed a child on £6 a year. After that impressive statistic, the visitors chatted to the children and teachers, and even tried some of Marys Meals Porridge (very tasty, and nutritious) .

The group then split to take part in different activities, including compost making and tree planting. The children were also enjoying some arts and crafts which included making the infamous Chibuku Shake Shake Hats! Many of the group were extremely touched by the visit to MOET school and meeting the children and teachers. The HIV/Aids crisis in Malawi has lead to large number of orphans. It was amazing to see the great work and dedication of headteacher Patterson and the community to deal with this tragedy, and many of the group felt that they could do more to help the community which lives and works alongside the festival. 

2) How do you feel that the festival coverage has helped the school?

MOET School is a local free primary school for orphans in the Mangochi District, specifically from Chipoka and other villages near the festival site. The school is not state funded or funded by an NGO and therefore relies entirely on individual donations. The Press and Media coverage generated by working with Lake of Stars will hopefully generate an increase in donations to the school. All individuals on the trip, including artists donated gifts such as sports equipment, toiletries and financial donations. Some even took the long term commitment to sponsor a child.
 
3)How important is the voluntary aspect to the school?       

The Voluntary aspect is extremely important to the school. Many of the teachers are volunteers themselves. The school is community run, with community members volunteering to teach sports, debating and so on, depending on their interest. The school also has international volunteers who help with teaching, especially of English. Volunteering is at the heart of Malawian culture; in times of tragedy, the community come together. It is often those who can least afford to, that volunteer their time to help those in need.

4) What can vinspired Lake of Stars fans do to help even further?

Firstly,  visit the FOMOE (Friends of Mangochi Orphan Education) website and facebook page and consider a donation to the school. Secondly, for those who visited, or plan to visit the festival next year, the best way to help the community of Chipoka, and surrounding villages, is to visit, spend time to meet the community. Finally, MOET school is always open for visitors and volunteers, so If your are planning to come to vinspired LOS 2011 and fancy a bit of volunteering beforehand, contact MOET via the website and give a hand.

 

For more information about the trip and what you can do to help please click here.