Features | Online edition of Daily News

The Republic of Malawi is a landlocked country in southeast Africa that was formerly known as Nyasaland. It is bordered by Zambia to the Northwest, Tanzania to the northeast, and Mozambique on the East, South and West. The country is separated from Tanzania and Mozambique by Lake Malawi.

Its size is over 118,000 km2 with an estimated population of more than 13,900,000. Its capital is Lilongwe, the biggest city is Blantyre. The name Malawi comes from the Maravi, an old name of the Nyanja people that inhabit the area.

Malawi was first settled during the 10th Century and remained under native rule until 1891 when it was colonized by the British, who ruled the country until 1964. Upon gaining independence it became a single-party state under the presidency of Hastings Banda, who remained President until 1994. Malawi has a democratic, multi-party government. Malawi has a small military force that includes an army, a navy and an air wing.

Malawi is among the world’s least developed and most densely populated countries. The economy is heavily based in agriculture, with a largely rural population.

The Malawian government depends heavily on outside aid to meet development needs. The Malawian government faces challenges in growing the economy, improving education, health care and the environmental protection and becoming financially independent. Malawi has several programs developed since 2005 that focus on these issues, and the country’s outlook appears to be improving, with improvements in economic growth, education and healthcare seen in 2007 and 2008.

Malawi has a low life expectancy and high infant mortality. There is a high prevalence of HIV/AIDS, which is a drain on the labor force and government expenditures, and is expected to have a significant impact on gross domestic product (GDP) by 2010. There is a diverse population of native peoples, Asians and Europeans, with several languages spoken and an array of religious beliefs.

Although there was tribal conflict in the past, by 2008 it had diminished considerably and the concept of a Malawian nationality had begun to form. Malawi has a culture combining native and colonial aspects, including sports, art, dance and music.

Coutesy: Wikipedia

World Meteorological Day

Dear Children,

I am sure you must be very busy with your studies now as the school term tests are around the corner. Make sure to do your homework and revision without waiting for the last moment. That will help you face your exams with ease and confidence.

The weather is a topic that is very frequently spoken about these days with the melting glaciers, earthquakes, tornados and floods occurring around the world.

Also, World Meteorological Day fell on March 23. The World Meteorological Organisation as you may be knowing is in the news these days.

The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) is an intergovernmental organisation with a membership of 188 Member States and Territories.

It originated from the International Meteorological Organisation (IMO), which was founded in 1873.

Established in 1950, the WMO became the specialised agency of the United Nations for meteorology (weather and climate), operational hydrology and related geophysical sciences. It has its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

This year’s theme was ‘60 years of service for your safety and well-being’.

The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations. It is the UN system’s authoritative voice on the State and behaviour of the earth’s atmosphere, its interaction with the oceans, the climate it produces and the resulting distribution of water resources.

World Tuberculosis Day yesterday

World Tuberculosis Day, falling on March 24 each year, is designed to build public awareness about the global epidemic of tuberculosis and efforts to eliminate the disease. Today tuberculosis causes the deaths of about 1.6 million people each year, mostly in the Third World.

March 24th commemorates the day in 1882 when Dr Robert Koch astounded the scientific community by announcing that he had discovered the cause of tuberculosis, the TB bacillus. At the time of Koch’s announcement in Berlin, TB was raging through Europe and the Americas, causing the death of one out of every seven people. Koch’s discovery opened the way toward diagnosing and curing tuberculosis.

- Aunt Anji

Now or never - Part 15

In ‘Kid’s Den’...

Four children, Pramodaka, Nalaka, Champika and Chinthaka, go on a trip to the woods with their parents for their school holidays. In the middle of the night the children are awakened by a strange noise. On following their dog, Scooby, Chinthaka is snared by the spell of the ‘luring stones’. Pramodaka departs with Ruwi, a pixie, to recall a book of spell to cast off the spell while the others remain behind with Sachi, a gnome. A storm breaks and the kids are scattered.

Meanwhile Sulo, the goblin who is always trying to make trouble for the mythical creatures, comes up with a nasty plan. She rushes off gang up the rest of her pack and reveals an age old secret. However the group discovers that it is not only Sulo’s secret that is uncovered by the storm. Something dark and deadly had been hidden in the depths of the earth waiting to release itself and return for revenge...

(‘Return of the Kids’ is the sequel to ‘Kid’s Den’)

Ruwi’s hand shook. Then in an instance there was a buzz as a thin wisp of silver smoke sprung out of the wand. Letters formed on what seemed to be a transparent sheet of paper which floated on air, just near her elbow.

Within seconds the gnome got to work, eyes on the screen but ears screwed for any telltale signs of Eagle Eye’s return.

No sooner had the work finished Eagle Eye turned up with a grim face, dragging a squeaking Zira by the ear. The manuscript was clutched firmly in his hand. He looked round and his frown deepened when he caught sight of Ruwi next to IBB.

“Here, what are you doing over there? Clear out the lot of you. You don’t work here anymore,” he barked. Ruwi shot a look at IBB. The gnome’s hands were frozen in place. It would only take a minute for him to drop the page back in JVK’s folder but any quick movements would arouse suspicion. If they were discovered it was not only Ruwi, Zira and Pramu who would end in trouble. IBB might be banished from the place.

Shamilka who had been observing the scene noticed Ruwi’s discomfort. She trotted up to Eagle Eye and cast an interested look at the manuscript in his hand.

“That seems fascinating. Can I have a look please?” For a moment the gnome was distracted. Ruwi quickly adjusted her footing so that she was blocking IBB’s screen. It was now or never. She poked him with her free hand.

“We are not allowed to reveal our work till the final proofs come. It is against the rules,” Eagle Eye was telling Shamilka. His eyes darted back to Ruwi.

“Oh no need to lose your temper on our behalf. We’ll leave. We know when we are not wanted,” Ruwi added hastily. Hoping for the best she walked past him with a slight toss of her head.

“Charming!” breathed Zira nursing his ear. The grip had been so tight that it still ached. Eagle Eye glared at him but did not make another advance. Disappointed Zira followed Ruwi. Just before the group left the room Ruwi risked one last glance towards IBB’s direction. Was he able to accomplish his task?

To be continued

Animals	My Home	A Car

Ann Rosheni Grade 4 St’ Peter’s College Negombo	Dulmini Hasini Jayasooriya 1D, Maliyadewa Balika Maha Vidyalaya Kurunegala	J. Kenny Grade 3 Atomic International School Wattala

Christmas Tree	International Women’s Day

Dinura Samavajeewa 3D Lyceum International School Nugegoda	Pavith Thanura Hemachandra 6A, Learnium International School Ethul Kotte

Learnium International School, No. 10,
Gregory’s Road, Colombo 7,
celebrated Grandparents’ Day organized by its Principal Hakan Arslan and the staff recently. Here some of its students presenting a dance item

Picture by Edward Weerasinghe, Kelaniya group correspondent