Monday 9 August 2010

Mac cycles to Success

August 2010:Mac Nkhutabasa has completed a sponsored cycle ride from Blantyre to Lake Malawi to raise funds for Chimwemwe. The gruelling ride took place over the last weekend in July, 2010 and has raised K200 000 (approximately £900).
Afterwards, a tired Mac was pleased with the achievement.
“The money raised will help the project enormously. We are looking to be able to buy some land and this event has gone a long way to helping us achieve that goal.”
The land will be useful on many levels. Firstly, the goal is to be able to build a centre for the project, which will have office space, space for the children and also kitchens to help with providing a good meal each day to the children. In addition, the land will be used to teach the children how to grow vegetables - an essential life-skill that orphans would otherwise miss out on. The children are very excited about this, although more excited about eating the food that will be grown!
We are hoping to be able to raise the rest of the money needed to buy the land very soon.

Friday 9 July 2010

A Sewing Machine brings Hope

July 2010:It is 1 o’clock in the afternoon. Saidi Selemani, emerges from his small dark house in Bangwe, one of the poorest townships in the city of Blantyre. He is smiling widely. Two children aged between nine and eleven are playing outside his house. He has come home to welcome them back from school and then collect sewing materials for his business at the nearby market.
His shop is full with customers, on the wall there are new clothes he made. His welcome demonstrates pride and joy in his family achievement.
Saidi lost his wife four years ago and he has struggled to raise the children as a single parent. Only a year ago, Saidi’s two children, Betty and Flossy were begging on the streets of Blantyre because there was no food at home. During its street outreach, a Chimwemwe volunteer met Betty and Flossy and befriended them. After spending time with the children, a visit was made to their family. After exploring different ways on how the girls would be helped to live at home and go to school, Saidi asked if Chimwemwe would help him by getting him a sewing machine.

The donation from the Rotarians in the Howe of Fife, allowed a sewing machine to be bought and given to the family. Saidi is very thrilled that finally he is able to feed his family, and also that his two daughters are now back into school and attending classes regularly. Chimwemwe is also very pleased because it is benefiting from the sewing machine as Saidi is helping us in making other children’s school uniforms.
Now, Saidi, 40 years old is living a transformed life through Chimwemwe’s support. The daughters are now back into school and Saidi provides for the family through his business of sewing clothes.
“I am proud that my children are now back in school. I know they have a bright future. Thank you to Chimwemwe for helping me to meet my family’s needs.”

Friday 9 April 2010

Concert Raises over £850!

April 2010: The Rotary Club of the Howe of Fife organised a concert in aid of the Chimwemwe Children's Centre which raised the grand total of £852. The concert featured one of the Rotarians, Linda Ballingall, along with her two fellow singers, John Grieve and Craig Smith, who comprise the group "A Sentimental Journey". Linda, John and Craig delighted the audience with hits from the shows and from the big band era, including Frank Sinatra, Perry Como, Matt Monro, Judy Garland, Shirley Bassey and many more.
The finale was a show-stopping rendition of 'The Rhythm of Life', originally sung by Sammy Davis Junior in the film, 'Sweet Charity'.
President Dennis Beattie, thanked all the singers for an enjoyable evening.

Tuesday 9 February 2010

Donation from The Black Watch Battalion Army Cadets

February 2010: The Black Watch Battalion Army Cadets, based in Fife, have raised £100 for Chimwemwe Children's Centre. The cadets packed bags at a local supermarket in Fife over the Christmas and New Year holiday, to raise the funds. The cheque was presented to Amanda Fleet on behalf of Chimwemwe Children's Centre on February 23rd. The money will go towards providing school uniforms and school fees for the children. Although primary education in Malawi is free, secondary education is not, and all school children must wear uniform. Although uniforms are relatively inexpensive to buy, they are beyond the means of the street orphans.
Dr Fleet was thrilled with the donation.
“The children will be delighted by this donation. They are so keen to go to school. Education is their way out of a cycle of poverty that has not been of their making and they will be overjoyed to know that people who live on the other side of the world are thinking of them.”

Saturday 9 January 2010

Donation from the Rotary Club of The Howe of Fife

January 2010: Members of the Rotary Club of the Howe of Fife have presented £500 to Dr Amanda Fleet for Chimwemwe Children’s Centre. Dr Fleet was first made aware of the project with the street children in January 2009 and helped to set up Chimwemwe Children's Centre in the same year. She has already donated a bicycle to the centre, which enables Chimwemwe project co-ordinator, Macdonald Nkhutabasa, to make quicker contact with the street children than he would be able to do on foot.
“I am delighted with this extremely generous donation from the Rotary Club of the Howe of Fife,” Amanda says, “Which will go towards school fees, shelter and food for some of the young people.”
In turn, President Dennis Beattie praised the work of the project, and hoped that the donation would be of benefit.