PAL

LAPBOARD

Changing the future of Africa through education

PAL LAPBOARD

Changing the future of Africa through education

African child smiling and clapping

CHANGING THE FUTURE OF AFRICA

THROUGH EDUCATION

The heart of the PAL Project is to empower teachers with educational resources that engage students to stay in school and succeed in their education.

OUR MISSION:

OUR MISSION:

African child smiling and clapping

CHANGING THE FUTURE

OF AFRICA

THROUGH

EDUCATION

African students in brick square under a tree learning from teacher

Heart of the PAL Project

To empower teachers with educational resources that engage students to stay in school and succeed in their education.

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

- Nelson Mandela

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

- Nelson Mandela

WHAT WE DO!

PAL has been endorsed by the Malawi Department of Education, The PAL organization provides needed materials and resources in the primary schools (grades 1-8). Education is directed to both the teachers and the students through the teacher’s manual and the lapboard.

Portable Academic Lapboard (PAL) logo

WHAT WE DO!

PAL has been endorsed by the Malawi Department of Education, The PAL organization provides needed materials and resources in the primary schools (grades 1-8). Education is directed to both the teachers and the students through the teacher’s manual and the lapboard.

Portable Academic Lapboard (PAL) logo

OUR HISTORY

In 2009 the PAL organizers, Joel and Jackie Wells, visited the schools of Malawi. During the ten years they lived in Africa, they came face to face with the dire situations of the school system of Malawi.

OUR HISTORY…

In 2009 the PAL organizers, Joel and Jackie Wells, visited the schools of Malawi. During the ten years they lived in Africa, they came face to face with the dire situations of the school system of Malawi.

CALL TO ACTION

The lack of academic aid stirred a deep desire to assist the teachers and students of Malawi. Knowing that education could bring about great changes in this poverty stricken nation the PAL Project was born, subsequently receiving an endorsement from the Department of Education.

…CALL TO ACTION

The lack of academic aid stirred a deep desire to assist the teachers and students of Malawi. Knowing that education could bring about great changes in this poverty stricken nation the PAL Project was born, subsequently receiving an endorsement from the Department of Education.

THE LAP BOARD!

THE LAP BOARD!

PAL Lapboard front side with educational material
PAL Lapboard back side with educational material

TEACHER’S MANUAL

GIVEN TO EACH TEACHER - PRIMARY SCHOOLS GRADES 1 - 8

The teachers manual includes information about classroom management, lesson planning and learning styles.

*

It also has valuable tools such as: a world map, solar system, alphabet, ruler, mathematical times table, information about health and nutrition, and much much more!

Power words that speak life, and all the basics of education are included both on the lapboard and defined in the teacher’s manual.

*

*

TEACHER’S

MANUAL

GIVEN TO EACH TEACHER

PRIMARY SCHOOLS GRADES 1 - 8

The teachers manual includes information about classroom management, lesson planning and learning styles.

*

It also has valuable tools such as: a world map, solar system, alphabet, ruler, mathematical times table, information about health and nutrition, and much much more!

*

Power words that speak life, and all the basics of education are included both on the lapboard and defined in the teacher’s manual.

*

TESTIMONIALS

From teachers who use the LAP board and received training on how to use the Lapboard and accompanying teacher’s manual

“I enjoyed everything that has been taught e.g. lesson planning, how to make boys and girls (stay) in school as well as how the PAL is used. It will be a powerful tool in our teaching career.”

“When I am using the PAL many learners always be busy listening and my lessons always very successful.”

“We (teachers) have learnt a lot of knowledge which we will impart in our learners so that we have improved standard of education.”

TESTIMONIALS

From teachers who use the LAP board and received training on how to use the Lapboard and accompanying teacher’s manual

“I enjoyed everything that has been taught e.g. lesson planning, how to make boys and girls (stay) in school as well as how the PAL is used. It will be a powerful tool in our teaching career.”

“When I am using the PAL many learners always be busy listening and my lessons always very successful.”

“We (teachers) have learnt a lot of knowledge which we will impart in our learners so that we have improved standard of education.”

OUR IMPACT

PAL is currently working in the nation of Malawi. The project is empowering teachers with educational resources that engage students in learning and encourages them to stay in school and succeed in their education.

97

Schools

AS OF 2023…

2,843

Teachers

6,645

Lapboards

190,588

Students

OUR

IMPACT

AS OF 2023

PAL is currently working in the nation of Malawi. The project is empowering teachers with educational resources that engage students in learning and encourages them to stay in school and succeed in their education.

97 Schools

2,843 Teachers

6,645 Lapboards

190,588 Students

Hut made from grass and mud in Malawi Africa

More Information About

Malawi

  • Britain declared a protectorate, called British Central Africa, over what is now Malawi in 1891. The British renamed the territory Nyasaland in 1907 and it was part of the colonial Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland - including present-day Zambia and Zimbabwe. Malawi gained their independence in 1964. Malawi is slightly smaller than Pennsylvania and is landlocked but shares the lake of Malawi with Mozambique and Tanzania. Lake Malawi is the country’s most prominent physical feature; it contains more fish species than any other lake on earth.

  • Land: 94,080 sq km

    Water: 24,404 sq km

    Land use:

    • Agricultural land: 59% (permanent crops: 1.4%)

    • Forest: 34%

    • Other: 7%

    Climate: sub-tropical; rainy season (November to March); dry season (April to November)

    Terrain: narrow elongated plateau with rolling plains, rounded hills, some mountains

    Agricultural: sweet potatoes, cassava, sugar cane, maize, mangoes/guavas, potatoes, tomatoes, pigeon peas, bananas, plantains

    Industries: tobacco, tea, sugar, sawmill products, cement, consumer goods (Statistics from CIA world facts)

  • Age structure - Median age (20 years)

    • 0-14 years: 38.54%

    • 15-64 years: 57.64%

    • 65 years and over: 3.82% (2023 est.)

    Population: 21 million (2023 est.)

    Population without electricity: 17 million (2020)

    Languages: English (official), Chichewa (dominant), Lambya, Lomwe, Ngoni, Nkhonde, Nyakyusa, Nyanja, Sena, Tonga, Tumbuka, Yao

  • Food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

    Vector borne diseases: malaria, dengue fever, and sexually transmitted diseases: HIV/AIDS (2024)

    Water contact diseases: schistosomiasis

    Animal contact diseases: rabies

More Information About

Malawi

Picture of a globe with a "heart" around Malawi Africa
  • Britain declared a protectorate, called British Central Africa, over what is now Malawi in 1891. The British renamed the territory Nyasaland in 1907 and it was part of the colonial Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland - including present-day Zambia and Zimbabwe. Malawi gained their independence in 1964. Malawi is slightly smaller than Pennsylvania and is landlocked but shares the lake of Malawi with Mozambique and Tanzania. Lake Malawi is the country’s most prominent physical feature; it contains more fish species than any other lake on earth.

  • Land: 94,080 sq km

    Water: 24,404 sq km

    Land use:

    • Agricultural land: 59% (permanent crops: 1.4%)

    • Forest: 34%

    • Other: 7%

    Climate: sub-tropical; rainy season (November to March); dry season (April to November)

    Terrain: narrow elongated plateau with rolling plains, rounded hills, some mountains

    Agricultural: sweet potatoes, cassava, sugar cane, maize, mangoes/guavas, potatoes, tomatoes, pigeon peas, bananas, plantains

    Industries: tobacco, tea, sugar, sawmill products, cement, consumer goods (Statistics from CIA world facts)

  • Age structure - Median age (20 years)

    • 0-14 years: 38.54%

    • 15-64 years: 57.64%

    • 65 years and over: 3.82% (2023 est.)

    Population: 21 million (2023 est.)

    Population without electricity: 17 million (2020)

    Languages: English (official), Chichewa (dominant), Lambya, Lomwe, Ngoni, Nkhonde, Nyakyusa, Nyanja, Sena, Tonga, Tumbuka, Yao

  • Food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

    Vector borne diseases: malaria, dengue fever, and sexually transmitted diseases: HIV/AIDS (2024)

    Water contact diseases: schistosomiasis

    Animal contact diseases: rabies

SUPPORT

YOUR DONATION MAKES A DIFFERENCE

When you donate to the PAL Project your contributions are going towards: Lapboards, manuals, teacher workshops, soccer balls, jump ropes, and reference materials.

For $15 each of the Lapboards are produced, shipped across two oceans, trucked through four nations, then imported into Malawi for students and teachers to use. 


ALL PROCEEDS GO TOWARDS

CHANGING THE FUTURE OF AFRICA

THROUGH EDUCATION

SUPPORT

YOUR DONATION MAKES A DIFFERENCE

When you donate to the PAL Project your contributions are going towards: LapBoards, manuals, teacher workshops, soccer balls, jump ropes, and reference materials.

For $15 each, the LapBoards are produced, shipped across two oceans, trucked through four nations, then imported into Malawi for students and teachers to use. 



ALL PROCEEDS GO TOWARDS

CHANGING THE FUTURE OF AFRICA THROUGH EDUCATION

African child in brick window looking sad

CONTACT US

PO BOX 18929, Spokane  WA  99228

If you have any questions or concerns please don’t hesitate to contact us! Thank you for all of your support!

CONTACT US

PO BOX 18929, Spokane  WA  99228

If you have any questions or concerns please don’t hesitate to contact us! Thank you for all of your support!