ecause of the tremendous support this project has received from our parishioners and many other supporters, we had insufficient space last year to send all the cartons which had been packed.   As a result we have 68 cartons remaining, which will go in March.

Having too much to send has been a regular feature over the past three years, so this year we have booked additional space on the container at a cost of £2,750.

This may seem a lot of money, but the value of goods being sent far outweighs this expense.

Our friends in Malawi are experiencing the same financial pressures as the rest of the world and there is an acute shortage of many basic necessities.

We too are feeling a reduction in living standards but asking for money is not the intention in this Newsletter.  We are asking whether you have any items of good quality which are no longer needed, but which are taking up space in the home.

Most of the items we send are just not available to the people we are helping, even if they had the money to buy them.

This year we plan to concentrate on just seven categories of items.  Your help in fulfilling this list will be very much appreciated.

 

1. Children’s clothing

We have several cartons ready to send, containing adult clothing, but none for children.   Boys are usually seen in shorts and Tshirts; girls always wear dresses.

1. Shoes for All

Shoes are just not available to many men, women and children.

Flat shoes of any material, but definitely no heels, are very much needed.   We also help a very poor secondary school, so suitable shoes for their students – boys and girls – would be very welcome.

1. Tools

Hand tools for gardening, building, carpentry and metal work are always needed.   Both men and women work in their gardens, so non-electric gardening equipment is an absolute necessity for those who depend upon growing their own food to survive.  They also have to build and repair their own homes.

 

 

1. Fabrics

We have sent many manual sewing machines and there are more to go this year.   These have enabled:-

a)     Men and women to earn money by making clothes.

b)    Schools and Parishes to set up sewing workshops to teach sewing crafts to their students/people.

c)     Mothers to re-use any materials they come across, to make and repair clothes or other household linens for their families.

The sewing machines are proving to be worthwhile items to include in our container but the value of these machines is greatly enhanced by the availability of various types of fabrics.

Such items as curtains, sheets, towels and other linens can be used in so many different ways.

We also use these materials as padding, when packing the cartons, to protect the items being sent.   This avoids using paper, cardboard etc, which would be useless to the people in Malawi.

1. School Equipment

Can you imagine a primary school without books, pens, pencils or paper? This is the case in many communities.

If you can donate anything which is used by a primary school pupil in their daily learning, this will be most welcome.   Such items as paper, notebooks, pens, pencils – anything to help them learn ‘the three Rs’.

The children in Malawi are desperate for an education.   If they do well enough at primary grade, they may be able to progress to secondary and beyond.    An education is a necessary tool in the fight against poverty.

1. IT Equipment – Why do we send so much computer equipment?

Again, it is education.   The children are aware of the ‘modern world outside’.  They deserve the opportunity to find out for themselves; to fashion a better future for themselves and their families.

a)     As students they will have a better knowledge of modern technology and will develop the skills needed for finding employment.

b)    As future parents they will be able to help and encourage their children to study, out of school hours.   They will gain a better knowledge in the sciences of food cultivation, thus enhancing the prospects of feeding their families.

1. Reading Glasses

We have been asked about these on several occasions and so are including them here.  Do you have any old and unwanted reading glasses?   If so, please let us have them.

Education features prominently in our twinning.  Several establishments, are supported, which often include food and board and over 4,000 youngsters attend.

Thank you, on their behalf, for your ongoing generosity to Malawi -Twin.

PHOTO TRAIL (Click Photo to Enlarge)