Ocotber 24, 2008: Official opening of our new secondary schoolblock.
We are thrilled to announce that on the 24th of October, 2008, we officially opened our new secondary schoolblock. Marie Da Silva was here in Malawi for this great occasion, along with all the children of the school and their guardians, and the friends who support our efforts in Malawi. Honorable Aaron Sangala, Malawi Minister of National Defence (and a Trustee of the Jacaranda Foundation) was our guest of honor and he cut the red ribbon. Honorable John Bande, Deputy Minister of Information and Civic Education, also attended the ceremony. The children sang, performed traditional dances, acted a drama play, read poems they wrote and even performed acrobatics! Marie Da Silva danced with the children and gave a heartfelt speech, explaining how she started the Jacaranda school for orphans and what her dreams are for the development of the school. Marie then planted a Jacaranda tree in front of the new schoolblock. The day ended with a surprise birthday party for Marie, who turned 50 on that day. Children received gifts donated by Pastor Milanzi, and everyone danced on the music performed by two of Malawi's leading bands: the Kapirintiya Band; and Skeffa Chimoto.

Scroll down through the pics to get a glimpse of the opening day festivities. Click here to help us further develop the Jacaranda school: we still need to purchase doors, glass for the windows, put up the ceiling, install electricit, paint our new schoolblock, and equip the entire school with desks and chairs. Thank you.
The day started with performances from the children. Marie joined the girls in this traditional dance.
The children performed the famous GuleWamkulu dance from the Chewa tribe (above) and the Ngoma dance from the Ngoni people (below).
Honorable Aaron Sangala, Malawi Minister of National Defence and Trustee of the Jacaranda Foundation in Malawi (sitting in front, left) was our guest of honor. Honorable John Bande, Deputy Minister of Information and Civic Education (in front, right), also attended the ceremony. Honorable Sangala cut the red ribbon and officially opened the new Jacaranda secondary schoolbock (below).
The ministers then toured the 'original' schoolhouse, Marie's family house which will still function as the Jacaranda primary school until we raise sufficient funds to build additional schoolblocks. Chief Che Mboma, the chief of our village (above, front left, and below) welcomed all the guests and expressed his thanks and satisfaction to see the Jacaranda school grow and help hundreds of orphans from up to ten villages from the area.
Marie Da Silva spoke both in English and in Chichewa, retracing the history of the school and explaining how she came to devote her life to the well being and education of orphans in Malawi. The TV crew the American news channel CNN sent all the way to the Jacaranda school in Malawi, captured Marie's speech. CNN is preparing a profile of Marie's work in Malawi to be aired at the CNN HEROES gala tribute on Thanksgiving night. Thank you CNN for visiting us and putting the spotlight on the orphans of Malawi!
Mr Isaac Nsamala, Chairman of the Registered Trustees of the Jacaranda Foundation and former CEO of the National Bank of Malawi, spoke in his speech about Marie's mother and family and about the roots of the Jacaranda Foundation.
Marie planted a Jacaranda tree in the middle of the ground facing our new schoolblock.

Then Skeffa Chimoto took the mic and everything ended in songs and dancing... The new Jacaranda school exploded in joy and laughter!... Long live Jacaranda!