Facilitating the crafting futures, a handiwork and agricultural initiative at the Kavu Primary School was one of the key highlights of my service. The initiative played a key role in promoting education in the community. Before I embarked on my Volunteer Exchange service with CorpsAfrica/Malawi, I had the privilege of facilitating a handwork initiative at Kavu Primary School in Uganda. This project brought together over 77 pupils from Primary four, five, and six, to learn invaluable skills in weaving baskets and mats as well as making mingling sticks.

Facilitated through peer-to-peer learning, the initiative harnessed leadership skills and teamwork among the pupils. Pupils were always excited to work on their craft. Friendly competitions emerged with members vying for the best-made crafts. Thinking about how they would take the crafts to their parents to sell them to get some money for scholastic materials motivated the others. Even the shiest and most reserved found their voice in the crafts class as they sought to learn from their peers while also sharing. To keep the pupils enthusiastic and sustaining the arts, the school assigned a specific time and two teachers in charge of the class. Parents were continually encouraged to provide local materials to their children to continue developing their skills.

Continuing to tap into the existing resources, I worked with the pupils to set up a school garden. Together, we planted a range of vegetables, including spinach, carrots, amaranthus, and cabbage. Through this hands-on experience, the pupils learned essential agronomic practices such as line planting, proper spacing, the use of manure, early weeding, and mulching—techniques aimed at improving soil fertility and boosting crop productivity.

The highlight of this initiative was that our garden contributed to the school’s feeding program by providing a diverse selection of nutrient-rich vegetables, enhancing the nutritional value of the Pupils’ meals.

The impact was profound. Not only did these young learners acquire lifelong skills, but they also received much-needed support in the form of educational supplies like books, pens, uniforms, and mathematical sets after selling some of the crafts. We also had the privilege of showcasing some of these crafts on Pitch Day.

Seeing these children gain both practical skills and the means to further their education was incredibly fulfilling. I continue the crafting futures initiative in primary schools in Malawi. It is moments like these that remind me of the power of community and hands-on learning to create lasting change. We craft futures today!