Mercy High School Project

Volunteers in front of the 15 solar panels they helped install. (From Left, Jim Selfridge, Christina Selfridge, Chelle Carlson, Drew Carlson, Peter Gamula)

Drew pictured with several of Mercy High School’s students.

Former student at Mercy High School, Jessie Jeke, now teaches as a UPI Fellow and Girls Empowerment Coordinator after successfully graduating from her university.

As a global company, Thermbond is proud of the diversity and reach of our workforce, and the positive differences we can make together. When one of our own saw a need for his specialized assistance in Malawi-he answered the call.

This past October, Drew Carlson, one of our sales managers, spent eight days in Lilongwe, Malawi assisting with the installation of 15 solar panels at Mercy High School. The school is situated on the outskirts of the city where a majority of its rural inhabitants live below the poverty line and make less than $2000 per year. The country and its occupants are suffering from a two-year drought, which is affecting the all-hydro power plants-operating with rolling blackouts and providing a random two hours of power each day. Through the installation of these solar panels, the school is able to function for a complete day. It is enough electricity to support their computer labs, lights, and eventually, the development of a well pumping system.

For a country battling poverty, poor education, hunger, ill-health, and HIV/AIDS, the establishment of educational facilities offer students an opportunity to reach their life goals, develop leadership skills and impact their communities. The school’s founder and headmaster, Peter Gamula, believes that through holistic programming such as Afterschool & Summer Camp Programs, Girls’ Empowerment Programs, HIV/AIDS Prevention and Teen’s Job Training, the students will be able to accomplish this. He explains that Mercy Care is “committed to see each and every child have their dreams come true and get out of poverty through education.” Drew became a part of the organization through Peter Gamula, who he hosted for two weeks in 2009 when the headmaster was training at Urban Promise International in Camden, New Jersey.

Though his mission during his two weeks in Malawi was centered on this project, Drew had plenty of opportunity to interact with the students. He describes them as extremely focused and interested in learning, despite the brutal conditions they must endure. Most of the students do not have access to electricity in their homes, so completing their studies outside of school hours is nearly impossible. With the 15 new solar panels, the school will allow its students access to a 24-hour library, where they can complete their schoolwork and assist the attendees in achieving their goals-something Drew was more than happy to contribute to.

For more information please visit: mercycaremalawi.com

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