In the June 26 edition of The Lincoln Journal, Tesa Gunby, a Lincoln County native currently serving as a Peace Corps volunteer in Malawi, Africa, issued a plea for help with the construction of a science laboratory at the school where she teaches in Mtunthama.

According to Gunby, "The school is in the midst of constructing a science lab — unfortunately, the project is at a standstill due to a lack of funds. Although the cement foundation has been laid and the brick walls have been erected, we do not have doors, window panes, iron sheets for the roof, and so forth."

It is estimated that it will cost approximately $11,000 or 1,421,852.38 in Malawi "kwacha" to complete the facility.

Appearing on the list of items needed for the project are:
.. 18-foot iron sheets, $1,455.
.. Timber, $699.
.. Q-2 steel tubing, $1,094.
.. Clear glass, $502.
.. Labor, $1,250.
.. Wiring, $2,327.
.. Fittings, $887.

The average Malawian family is comprised of six people, with most workers making less than $35 a week.

Lincoln County residents are asked to open their hearts and help make the science lab a reality.

Checks should be mailed to the World Harvest Church, P.O. Box 325, Lexington, South Carolina, 29071. Contributors should specify on the check that the money is for the Malawi building project.

All donations are tax deductible.

"We in Mtunthama, Malawi, thank you considerably for helping us," stated Gunby. "May God richly bless you."

Since Gunby is scheduled to return to the United States in November, the deadline for mailing donations to Lexington is Friday, September 12.