A Christmas Party for 500

Sarah’s blog 22/12/22

First of all I must thank a very special couple who have made today possible. They support us in several ways and are also sponsors. They paid for the food for today’s Christmas Party. Food prices are rising all the time so things are very expensive so we are extremely grateful to them for £150 they donated in order that the children were able to have a nice meal today. A goat was also killed and everyone was able to have some meat. It’s a happy day today.

I cannot imagine how much these children were looking forward to their food today. Some may not have eaten at all for a couple of days. This meal is a feast for them and the most nutritious food they get. Unfortunately, there are no big charities or agencies feeding children in schools in this area in the far north of Malawi. (I have written to them several times to ask for support for almost 5,000 in the local primary schools). So all the children are malnourished to varying degrees. The intention was that approximately 200 of the most vulnerable children, most of whom are orphans. Word spread, and soon there were 500 queuing for food, with some children walking from up to 20km away. It’s another world and we don’t realise how fortunate we are. We can only afford to send enough money to feed 500 children once a week. These children need more. They deserve more.

Unfortunately, it rained for a while today whilst the children were there. However, the silver lining is that there were indoor spaces for them to play and have their food now there are two classrooms as well as Emma’s library and Sophie’s Skills Shed. Thank you to the teachers, staff and volunteers who worked hard today to ensure that all who turned up were fed and had a great time. Unfortunately, because it was so busy, Levison forgot about all the Santa hats. He has said they will make an appearance another day. The pupils at Bright Futures Secondary School insisted on looking smart in their school uniform despite the fact that the last day of term was yesterday.

Going forward, we will require more people to support the feeding programme as costs have risen. If you would like to make a one off donation or could sign up for a monthly amount then please do get in touch contact_us@changinglivesmalawi.com Or if you would like to help us build the next two classrooms in phase 2 of Bright Futures Secondary School you can email me or donate here https://gofund.me/44a92444 . We need to build the team around these children to enable them to have a better, brighter future. We cannot do that without your support. Hopefully, from these photos and videos you will see that your donations are making a difference and changing lives. If looking at these videos and photos brings a smile to your face could you ask yourself what you could do to support them?

We need sponsors to support the most vulnerable with education and provide food, clothes and welfare visits. We need people to commit to monthly donations to support the feeding programme or free school meals at Bright Futures Secondary School. Or could your company help pay for a classroom? Would you like your name or the name of a loved one over a classroom door? Also there are activities like the rugby coaching fortnight that will be happening in the spring that we need financial help with please.

We are making a difference. We are changing lives. We need you to help us. It’s always about teamwork and we all have a part to play. Will you help? contact_us@changinglivesmalawi.com Enjoy and thanks for reading, Sarah x

Christmas Cards & Gifts

Sarah’s blog 25/11/22

It’s exactly one month until Christmas Day. Are you organised yet? We have a selection of gifts and cards to help you. So, grab a cuppa, make a list of everyone you still need to buy for and have a read of my blog! All money is going straight to the projects we support in Malawi. There are no admin or salary costs to take off as our charity is run by a small group of volunteers, passionate about changing the lives of the most vulnerable in rural Northern Malawi.

First of all….a link to DontSendMeACard.com. The first link I have posted takes you straight to the e-Christmas cards, the second link takes you to our platform page from where you can navigate to e-cards for all occasions as well as e-sustainable gifts where you can send an e-alternative gift which supports our projects in Malawi.

Changing Lives Malawi Christmas eCards | DontSendMeACard.com

https://www.dontsendmeacard.com/ecards/charities/changing-lives-malawi

Our lovely bright A4 calendars are a great gift to send through the post – I can send to you or directly to the recipient. They have lots of photos and information on each of the projects and plenty of space to write in. Only £10 each with all money going to Malawi, plus £2 p&p. To order please email me contact_us@changinglivesmalawi.com

Our lovely, bright A4 fundraising calendar is only £10 with all money going to Bright Futures Secondary School project.

We have more alternative gifts if you’d like an actual card to send to the recipient rather than just sending an email with a gift. There are 4 gifts to choose from and you just tick whichever gift you have chosen. £10 buys a football, £10 buys 4 fruit tree saplings, £40 buys soap for 100 vulnerable children and £20 pays for a box of books to be sent to a primary school in northern Malawi as part of our literacy programme. I can send the cards to you or directly to the recipient. contact_us@changinglivesmalawi.com

The front cover of our alternative gift card. I can send it to you or post it directly to the recipient
The inside of our alternative gift card…you just tick or circle the gift you have chosen. I can send the card to you or the recipient. £10 buys a football, £10 buys 4 fruit tree saplings, £20 pays for a box of books to go to a primary school in Malawi and £40 pays for soap for 100 vulnerable children.

Christine Cresswell, one of our trustees, has had cards made from her beautiful paintings to raise funds for our charity. Again, all money goes to support the projects in Malawi. These cards are blank inside for your own message and are in packs of 8 of the same picture for £5. Postage will be an extra £1 per pack. These packs make great gifts or to buy for your own use to have cards for all occasions to hand. contact_us@changinglivesmalawi.com

pack of cards – boat to the isles from an original painting by Christine Cresswell
pack of cards – Island Croft from an original painting by Christine Cresswell
pack of cards – Two Puffins from an original painting by Christine Cresswell
pack of cards – Robin from an original painting by Christine Cresswell
pack of cards – Snowy Mountains from an original painting by Christine Cresswell
pack of cards – Woodpecker from an original painting by Christine Cresswell
pack of cards – Mother and Child from an original painting by Christine Cresswell

And Christine’s original paintings have been donated to our charity, so all money goes to the projects we support in Malawi. We are very grateful, for her generosity of time and talent. They are framed and only £75 each plus £5 p&p.

These will make wonderful, original Christmas gifts or why not treat yourself knowing that the money will be helping vulnerable children in northern Malawi. contact_us@changinglivesmalawi.com Thank you for reading and supporting our charity. Please do share this post with your friends so we can continue Changing Lives Malawi, Sarah x

Arisaig Beach original painting by Christine Cresswell oil on board 10 x 12″ plus frame £75
Low Tide original painting by Christine Cresswell oil on board 10×12″ plus frame £75
Three boats original painting by Christine Cresswell oil on board 10×12″ plus frame £75
Moored at sunset original painting by Christine Cresswell, oil on board 10×12″ plus frame £75
The Black Mount, Rannoch Moor original painting by Christine Cresswell, oil on board 10×12″ plus frame £75

Christmas Gifts That Keep on Giving

Sarah’s blog 12/11/22

I never like to think about Christmas shopping until after Halloween is over. Then we have November and December birthdays in our family…so Christmas shopping has to be squeezed in between all the birthday celebrations!

If you are struggling to find time for shopping, or you have gifts to buy for the person who has everything, or you would just like to have an alternative feel good gift that is going to be much better than a pair of socks then we can help you. If you want to help the planet as well as orphans and other very vulnerable children, then please do have a look at our Christmas fundraising gifts and get in touch to purchase. contact_us@changinglivesmalawi.com

We have 2023 full colour fundraising calendars at £10 each plus £2 p&p. I can post to you or post directly to the recipient on your behalf. We also have alternative gift cards to send as Christmas gifts. £10 will buy a football for the children we help to support. £10 will buy 4 fruit tree saplings providing future food and a source of income. £20 will pay for a box of books to go to Malawi for our School Literacy Project and £40 will buy soap for 100 orphans and vulnerable children. I can send these to you or directly to the recipient.

One of our trustees, Christine Cresswell, has donated her beautiful paintings to raise funds for Malawi and also, we are selling her range of cards. All money is going to our projects. We have no admin fees or salaries as we are a small group of volunteers passionate about changing the lives of the most vulnerable in rural northern Malawi.

We are grateful for all the support we have received so far and would love it if you could consider our charity, and the projects we support, in your Christmas shopping list. contact_us@changinglivesmalawi.com Thanks for reading and supporting, Sarah x

One of the packs of cards from original paintings by Christine Cresswell one of our trustees. 8 blank cards £5 plus £2 p&p
2023 fundraising calendar £10 plus £2 p&p
Moored at Sunset 10″x 12″ framed original by Christine Cresswell £75 plus £5 p&p
Three Boats 10″x 12″ framed original by Christine Cresswell £75 plus £5 p&p
The Black Mount, Rannoch Moor, 10″x 12″ framed original by Christine Cresswell £75 plus £5 p&p
Arisaig Beach 10″x 12″ framed original by Christine Cresswell £75 plus £5 p&p
Low Tide 10″x 12″ framed original by Christine Cresswell £75 plus £5 p&p
Meaningful Alternative Gift Card… Football £10, 4 Fruit Tree Saplings £10, Box of Books for Literacy Project £20, Soap for 100 vulnerable children £40.
Meaningful Alternative Gift Card… Football £10, 4 Fruit Tree Saplings £10, Box of Books for Literacy Project £20, Soap for 100 vulnerable children £40. Any of these can be bought in multiple quantities. Thank you.

We wish you a Merry Christmas!

Sarah’s blog 24/12/21

From the small team of volunteers at Changing Lives Malawi and Levison and his team in Malawi, we all wish you a very happy and peaceful Christmas. Thank you to those of you who have supported us and helped us through the last year.

With your help, we’ve continued support The Foundation to feed over 500 children every week, provided clothes and shoes, books for the library and the local school, provided a monthly donation for the nursery to run, provided money for a shower block, matched more children with sponsors, have more young people attending secondary school, provided clothes and blankets for the babies at the local maternity ward at the health centre. And that’s just a few of the things that have been happening. None of it can happen without you being part of the team and we very much appreciate the role everyone plays.

We still need to get 5 young people matched with sponsors to pay their secondary school fees….if you can help with this then please get in touch contact_us@changinglivesmalawi.com With very best wishes and thanks, Sarah x

The Third Sunday in Advent

Sarah’s blog 12/12/21

There’s been no rushing around for me shopping and meeting people this advent season. I am so grateful for the care and attention I received from all the NHS staff when I was in hospital recently, but it’s going to be a while before I’ll be back to normal…whatever normal is!

Advent season is about waiting and reflecting and the third Sunday is about love. Who do we love and care about? How do people know that we love and/or care about them? Hopefully, by our actions. Also by our kind words.

How do the hundreds of orphans and vulnerable children supported by The William Stewart Foundation know they are loved and cared about? by our actions. A new football means the world to them. A blanket for two children to share to help keep them warm at night. Reusable sanitary towels, pants and soap giving a teenage girl her dignity back and enabling her to attend school all month like her male peers. There are so many ways we can show these children that they are important and cared about.

So in this season of giving, we would be so grateful for an extra football, or a blanket, or soap for the children. Can you help feed them an extra meal or provide some fruit tree saplings. By your actions they will know they are loved and not forgotten. Thank you for reading and supporting us. You can donate through our website, or by contacting us contact_us@changinglivesmalawi.com or through the link below. Thanks for reading, Sarah x

https://www.dontsendmeacard.com/ecards/charities/changing-lives-malawi

Meaningful Cards & Gifts

Sarah’s blog 9/12/21

Whether you’ve got gifts to post, cards to send, something to buy for the person who has everything… then stop relax… we can help you and you can help us… hassle free.

https://www.dontsendmeacard.com/ecards/charities/changing-lives-malawi

That’s the link where you can find e-cards and e-gifts to purchase. Christmas cards and for other occasions. Also you can send one card to multiple people, saving time and effort. Meaningful gifts. Gifts that are going to change lives. A blanket for a vulnerable child, a football to help children take their mind off their problems whilst they play, soap, fruit tree saplings… we have lots of gifts to choose from. It would mean so much if you could support us to support the hundreds of orphans and other vulnerable children in Northern Malawi. Whether you want to spend £5 or £50 you will be helping us http://www.changinglivesmalawi.com thank you for reading and please ask if you would like any help selecting cards and gifts. Gifts can also be printed out and posted in a lovely card on your behalf. Sarah x

The Second Sunday in Advent

Sarah’s blog 5/12/21

The second Sunday in advent is traditionally about peace and waiting. I have had no choice this week. I wasn’t going to write this but I think it’s important and I would be very grateful if you would be patient with me whilst I write this.

I have been in a very large hospital since Tuesday morning. On Tuesday afternoon I had some of my right kidney removed using robotic assistance. If this operation had taken place at my usual hospital, they would have removed my whole kidney. So I am thankful for the opportunities I have had. Everyone has been so lovely and kind and I have felt precious and cared for.

I am very conscious of the differences between my opportunities here and the lack of health care opportunities in Malawi, something we need to try to work on next year.

I feel I am being ‘asked’ to write this and believe me I am double and triple checking things as I am on a lot of medication for pain relief and my concentration isn’t good. At least I’ve kept my eyes open! My care,post op, has not gone to plan. My oxygen levels have been extremely low and, I spent two days in high dependency. Yesterday was my first day since Tuesday with no additional oxygen…again the comparison isn’t lost on me that Malawi doesn’t have enough oxygen in hospitals.

So without you having to know all my aches and pains, I am here to wait and recover. To recover from the big operation I have had but also the stress of 2021 which has been huge.

Every day has been a worry about where money will come from to feed children, to sponsor them, to provide for them. I have been volunteering 7 days a week. I can’t continue at that rate. It’s not going to do me any good, therefore the charity any good, if I don’t start putting myself first. I don’t know what the new working hours will look like but, for now, I will wait with peace and listen. Of course, I couldn’t have worked so hard without my husband who is my biggest supporter.

All of this would have been hard enough but there have been people on social media trying to destroy our charity. People who have never met me. People who are happy to side with others without knowing facts or thinking about the consequences of their actions. I cannot apply for grants for our charity at the moment because the awful things that have been written. People might not like me or like what I say (and that’s ok) but every decision I make is to benefit those hundreds of orphans and vulnerable children to make lives better for them.

Of course, I should have been at home this last week sharing posts; getting children sponsored, selling paintings for Christmas or lovely cards; sharing the links for e-cards and e-gifts and generally working as hard as I can for every £1 to help make a difference in Northern Malawi. Hopefully, people do find the items via our website and please share posts if you can. Hoping I will be home in a few days although this week away, courtesy of the NHS, has been amazing. I couldn’t have asked for better care.

So instead of being busy selling, I’ll wait patiently for what’s going to happen next. It might be that you decide you want to help, it might be a magazine wants to write about our work… who knows? But I do know that 2022 is going to be a better year and we hope that you will continue to journey with us http://www.changinglivesmalawi.com thanks for reading, Sarah x

My room with a view of the helipad

Reverse Advent Calendar

Sarah’s blog 22/11/21

Christmas is coming and the season of advent will be here next week. Some organised people might have finished all their shopping and wrapped their presents, some might have already thought about putting their tree and decorations up. Or are you a last minute type of person? If you are able, could you please spare a thought for the hundreds of vulnerable children whom we support in rural Northern Malawi. Their Christmas celebrations are very, very different to ours. We will be giving them a meal, a bar of soap and a pencil but we would love to be able to plan ahead as it takes months for gifts to arrive. It would be amazing if you could help us provide gifts for a summer and Christmas party. These children do not eat properly every day, so never have any soap, pencils or toys apart from what they are given at The Foundation. So a party and gifts mean a great deal to them and are very exciting. Let’s spread a little love this Christmas…can you help us?

If you can manage the whole Reverse Advent Calendar, that would be fantastic. But even if you manage a few of them while doing your own Christmas shopping we would be very grateful. A pack of pencils, a couple of packs of pens or a few bars of soap etc. Or some books in good preloved condition that your child no longer reads. These children and young people have had NOTHING. If we all give SOMETHING it WILL make a difference and bring joy to many. They will know that people care about them. They will know they are no longer forgotten. A little kindness goes a long way. In this season of goodwill, please help us send some joy to Malawi. contact_us@changinglivesmalawi.com . Thanks for reading, Sarah x

E-cards & E-gifts helping the children in Northern Malawi

Sarah’s blog 10/11/21

Just wanted to share the link to our e-cards & e-gifts. You can do your Christmas shopping and send your Christmas cards without leaving your sofa…and all for a great cause. Click on the link and have a look. Thanks, Sarah x

https://www.dontsendmeacard.com/ecards/charities/changing-lives-malawi

%d bloggers like this: