Back Row: (left to right) Luke Beam, Dylan Melton, Harley Price, Austin Elliot, Tyler Brackett, Ethan Winkler and Glenn Walker; Front Row (left to right): Steve Adams, Stephanie Conner and Haley Harris.

Seven members from the Burns High FFA and three leaders embarked on a journey to Malawi, Africa on July 25, 2010.  

  Their trip to get to Malawi consisted of a 45 minute flight from Charlotte to Atlanta; 15 hour flight from Atlanta to Johannesburg; 3 hour flight from Johannesburg to Malawi; and a 4 hour drive from Blantyre to Namwera.

After several hours of travel the team reached Grace Farms, where they would be staying and working. Africa wasted no time in breaking them in - they arrived to no electricity and no water, however instead of grumbling about it the team embraced Africa.   In fact they were excited just to be there. In the mornings the team would wake early to prepare for field day at the local schools. The teachers in these schools were relieved for a small break due to the large student- teacher ratio; 172 students to 1 teacher. The drop out rates are extremely high. In the first grade the student average is around 464 however by the eighth grade the student average drops to around 57. Despite being in a different country, many of the school rules are similar to those in America, however because of poverty basic needs are often neglected (school books, chairs, meals, sanitary facilities, etc. are non existent).  After lunch the team would work on building a water tower on the farm to ensure a consistent water supply while doing so they were able to teach about the cement chart and the advantages of putting metal in a cement slab.  The team also assisted in the dehorning of cattle and shared some new tools to facilitate dehorning in a faster, more sanitary procedure. The orphans and children of Grace Farms were a big part of the afternoons as well. Playing games and teaching them brought smiles to both the team member’s and children’s faces. This project was an eye-opening experience for them, that won’t be forgotten. The I-SEE Project has hopes of continuing on for many years to come.  The FFA ISEE team is very appreciative of the support our community has given to this project.  We could not have completed it without the generous donations from our community and churches.

FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success.  You can find out more about the ISEE Project at  theiseeproject.org. 

How Malawi Impacted the Team:

Ethan Winkler- “This trip was life changing and will never be forgotten.”

Harley Price- “I realized how much God is working.”

Steve Adams- “This trip showed me that I have a lot to be grateful for and that God has a reason for everything.” 

Dylan Melton- “This trip has changed the way I look at the world. It also allowed me the chance to fully open up to what God is trying to do in my life. While on the trip I answered the call to full-time foreign mission work, so the trip has left a mark on the rest of my life.”

Haley Harris –“The people that we encountered on this trip opened my eyes to a whole new world. Even though they have very little, the joy that they portray is heart warming. I didn’t ever hear a single person complain about what he had or didn’t have and to me that speaks volumes. I have become thankful for basic things that before I often overlooked.  It gives me hope to see how God is working. I went to have an impact on people in another part of the world; however the people I met while there touched my life far more than ever expected.” 

Luke Beam – “The lessons learned through this experience will continue to bless this community and the country of Malawi for generations to come.  Thank you Cleveland County for making this dream come true.” 

By Haley Harris, ISEE Team Member and Senior at Burns High School and FFA Secretary.