POTSDAM -- Over 300 children in Malawi, Africa, will have a chance to learn to read thanks to funds raised by nine of the Potsdam United Methodist Church’s Sunday School students.

During their summer read-a-thon the Potsdam students read 105 books and raised $1,100 for the Malawi Early Literacy Team (MELT). The students had hoped to raise $250, but due to the generosity of family, friends, and congregation members they collected the larger amount.

In October, members of the MELT team joined in worship at the UMC to receive the donation and give a short presentation.

MELT is an ecumenical team of people with different talents who see the need for teacher training and up-to-date, culturally appropriate early literacy materials and readers in Malawi. The readers they publish are about Malawi village daily life, science and culture, and basic health concepts.

Potsdam UMC is located at 26 Main St. The pastor is the Rev. Brooke Newell. The church office’s phone number is 315-265-7474.