Stories from the Classroom
How Kuwala’s Educational Trips Inspire Dreams Beyond Borders.
Kuwala students step out of their villages to discover new possibilities—gaining hands-on experiences in broadcasting, campus life, and history that ignite their ambitions for the future.
Students embarked on educational trips to various destinations this fall. Every student has the opportunity to participate in a trip experience. Kuwala provides many creative and exciting trips to expose the students to opportunities they may consider for future careers or work after graduating from Kuwala. The trips offer valuable learning experiences and exposure to new environments, as many of these girla have never been outside their village.
Trip to Zodiak Broadcasting Station
The first of three exciting trips took students 70 km away to the Zodiak Broadcasting Station. It is a privately owned radio station in Lilongwe, Malawi. Founded in 2005, the station has over 25 transmitting sites and reaches Malawi. It offers radio screening and an online website that is accessible worldwide. Together with the team at Zodiak, the students learned about language translation and story summarization techniques, from reporting to broadcasting. These skills will be helpful to their English and Chichewa language studies.
A group of students experienced a trip to Luanar University—the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources. A walk through the campus provided a real-time, on-the-ground insight into campus life, the classroom and the study environment. The students were fully engaged, and many felt encouraged to work hard to achieve their goal of studying at Luanar University. The faculties complement all the studies the students are engaged in at Kuwala: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Food and Human Resources, Animal Science and Crop and Soil Science, to name a few.
The final trip complemented their History Class curriculum—a 200-km drive to the Nkhoma Museum. The Museum houses portraits of pioneer missionaries who gave their lives in service to God. There are also displays of artifacts and exhibits related to the history and development of the Nkhoma area. The students explored the collections and learned about their historical significance.
Science Lab update
New science lab equipment has arrived, and natural experiments can begin now! The students work hard in science class, and on the weekends, they take extra time to use the microscopes, hand-held magnifying glasses and goggles. Currently, the students are studying the stomata on the leaves of a plant. While a fully equipped science lab might seem like a standard feature in North America, having a science lab with modern instruments at Kuwala is a rare and remarkable educational opportunity. It opens the door for students to explore and grow in the fields of chemistry and biology, sparking a passion for scientific discovery that could shape their futures.
Up, Up and Away!
In October, as part of Kuwala’s continued efforts to provide educational and inspirational opportunities, some students participated in an exciting Air Show! The destination was Air Wing, a 30 km drive from Kuwala. This trip aimed to motivate the girls to pursue potential careers in aviation by providing hands-on aviation experience. The students witnessed thrilling aerobatic displays with planes soaring gracefully through the sky. They interacted with pilots and aviation professionals, gaining insights into the the various career opportunities in the industry. The event showcased the possibilities and opportunities in aviation. It encouraged the students to DREAM BIG and envision a future where they could break barriers and excel in traditionally male-dominated fields like aviation.
The Chess Competition in Lilongwe in October was a real-life experience of strategy and focus. A first-time external competition for our girls to match up against students of other secondary schools. The teacher who escorted the team from Kuwala sent the following message; “Congratulations to our outstanding team members! Although we didn’t make it to the top 5, our girls showed remarkable effort and determination, securing two 4-round wins—special recognition to Joana and Victoria for their exceptional performance. We are proud of our team’s hard work, enthusiasm and commitment. Keep shining, girls!”
Beyond the competition, chess offers lifelong benefits that extend far beyond the board. It sharpens critical thinking, improves decision-making skills, and teaches patience and perseverance—invaluable qualities in academics and life. Playing chess also fosters self-confidence as students learn to think ahead, anticipate outcomes, and adapt their strategies. For our girls, it’s not just a game; it’s a tool for building resilience and unlocking their potential. Chess is a popular activity at Kuwala, with students regularly participating as part of one of the campus clubs.