AMERICAN CORNER REPORT

NAME OF CORNER: Mzuzu University American Corner
Period covered: 1st – 31st March, 2009

ATTENDANCE:
Number of people: 509
From institution: 150
From outside: 359
New members: 0

Total non-university student members: 314
Number using the Internet: 309
Number of books circulated: 98
Number of educational advising services/materials: 35
Number of reference questions received: 10

FINANCES:
Total funds collected: MK31, 342.00
Internet fees: MK28, 132.00
Printing fees: MK3,210.00

Funds expended (total): K3,210.00 (for refreshments)
Programs:
§ US Ambassador Visits Mzuzu American Corner, March 12, 2009
§ Women’s History Month Commemoration, March 2009
§ Youth Group Carries Charity Service at Mzuzu Central Hospital
US Ambassador Visits Mzuzu American Corner
On 12 March 2009 the United States Ambassador, Peter Bodde visited Mzuzu University. Amongst his engagements, he met the university management to discuss areas of strengthening the existing partnership. The Ambassador also visited the American Corner where he spoke to students, American Corner members of the Youth Group and members of staff. At the end of his visit, the Ambassador donated two balls to the American Corner Youth Group. Below is his visit in pictures at the American Corner.
















Black History Month Activities

On 27 March 2009 we conducted a Women’s History Commemoration program in which we invited 50 women from different schools in Mzuzu. The women came were teachers from Lupaso Community Day Secondary School, Chibavi Community Day Secondary School, Viyele Primary School, Masasa Community Day Secondary School, Nkhorongo Community Day Secondary School, St. Augustine Primary School, Mzuzu Foundation School, Zolozolo Community Day Secondary School and Luwinga Secondary School.

The day’s activities started with the Coordinator introducing to the women the meaning of Women’s History Month, how it started, how it is commemorated and who are remembered in this month. The coordinator read the proclamation of the commemoration delivered by the US President, Barak Obama and introduced the theme of the commemoration. Before some of the international achievers were mentioned, women were asked to mention some Malawian Women Achievers to ensure that the talk made sense and that it was within its context.

After this session, Leen Johns, an African American Volunteer teaching at Mzuzu University talked on HIV/AIDS as a threat to women’s achievements and how the women can use HIV/AIDS lessons that are embedded in the curriculum to help young girls from contracting the fatal disease. It was an open discussion that also attracted the audience attention.