Levison was able to visit Kalanga primary school today with clothes and books
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Sarah’s blog 07/03/23
Chambo Primary School is the one nearest to The Foundation and the majority of the younger children who are supported by The Foundation go to school there.
Kalanga Primary School is a bit further away but some children who go there also come to The Foundation. Levison had arranged with the headteacher to visit today with clothes for the children who are all very vulnerable. There were enough clothes to ensure everyone received something.
These uniforms were very kindly donated by a parent whose children went to Sinclair House School, Fulham. This school unfortunately closed during the pandemic. However, we are so grateful that these beautiful clothes have been able to be used by children in need and who will make good use of them.
There were so many boxes of uniforms donated that some have already been given out to children who attend Chambo Primary and also some of the students at Bright Futures Secondary School. The children from yesterday’s blog were given new clothes from this school too.
Levison also took four boxes of books for Kalanga Primary School as part of our School Literacy Project to help the children have access to more books and become more confident readers. The teachers were extremely grateful for all these donations and the children were delighted to have new clothes. Hope you enjoy looking at all the photos, Sarah x
These are the photos we are very excited to show you. Now that the boxes, tables & chairs have arrived safely from the container, we have lots of photos that have been taken this morning.
Students at Bright Futures Secondary School are starting class exams today and these will continue over the next few days. Malawi is 2 hours ahead of us and the young people were delighted to be met with gifts of new uniform before school started for the day. The classrooms are looking brilliant with the addition of the new desks in one classroom, tables in the other classroom (that will be replaced by individual desks) and new chairs in both classrooms.
These young people do have Brighter Futures at Bright Futures Secondary School. This school was only a dream this time last year and look what has been achieved with your help. Thank you so much to all involved in helping this to happen for these children. We need to keep looking ahead and are still fundraising for classrooms 3 & 4 so if you can help us, it would be very much appreciated. https://gofund.me/ece5753a or email contact_us@changinglivesmalawi.com I keep saying that it is always about teamwork and these vulnerable children need us as the team around them to ensure their futures are brighter and that we continue to be able to change their lives.
To all the students – we are very proud of you. Good luck in your exams and try your best. You can achieve and you will achieve, and you will have chances and choices open to you.
Thank you for reading and supporting us to help the vulnerable children. Hope you enjoy the photos, Sarah x
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.
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 recipientThe 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 Cresswellpack of cards – Island Croft from an original painting by Christine Cresswellpack of cards – Two Puffins from an original painting by Christine Cresswellpack of cards – Robin from an original painting by Christine Cresswellpack of cards – Snowy Mountains from an original painting by Christine Cresswellpack of cards – Woodpecker from an original painting by Christine Cresswellpack 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 £75Low Tide original painting by Christine Cresswell oil on board 10×12″ plus frame £75Three boats original painting by Christine Cresswell oil on board 10×12″ plus frame £75Moored at sunset original painting by Christine Cresswell, oil on board 10×12″ plus frame £75The Black Mount, Rannoch Moor original painting by Christine Cresswell, oil on board 10×12″ plus frame £75
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&p2023 fundraising calendar £10 plus £2 p&pMoored at Sunset 10″x 12″ framed original by Christine Cresswell £75 plus £5 p&pThree Boats 10″x 12″ framed original by Christine Cresswell £75 plus £5 p&pThe Black Mount, Rannoch Moor, 10″x 12″ framed original by Christine Cresswell £75 plus £5 p&pArisaig Beach 10″x 12″ framed original by Christine Cresswell £75 plus £5 p&pLow Tide 10″x 12″ framed original by Christine Cresswell £75 plus £5 p&pMeaningful 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.
Today is the end of the first week at Bright Futures Secondary School. It has been a great success and the teachers have worked hard. Teenagers who are orphans or from families in extreme poverty, are attending this new secondary school in their community. They have chances and choices that they wouldn’t otherwise have. They all have the chance of a brighter future. Thanks to all the supporters who have helped to change the lives of these young people.
In addition to free secondary education, they are having a nutritious meal at school each day. Today each student received; some A4 paper, pens, a document wallet, a bag, a water bottle, a wind-up torch, toothbrush & toothpaste and soap. All of this costs approximately £15 per student. They were delighted with their gifts.
If you would like to support a student with a SCHOOL STARTER PACK for £15 then please do get in touch. We were able to provide for these students but will need to find funds to provide these gifts for the next intake of students. contact_us@changinglivesmalawi.com or you could make a purchase from our amazon wish list Amazon.co.uk or, if you are local to me, we would be very grateful if you could add toothpaste, bars of soap or pens and pencils to your trolley when you go shopping. Thanks for supporting and reading, Sarah x
Lots of people have been busy in the background adding kilometres to the total for our challenge. We are fundraising to build a desperately needed secondary school in rural northern Malawi and decided we would follow one of the routes that the boxes of aid travel. The total route is over 13,000km and we need more people ‘donating’ their kilometres to help us get to our total.
Do your children walk to school? Could they take part and let us know their totals for the week? Do you walk them to and from school? That means you will do double what your children do. Are you walking the dog every day? Or supermarket shopping? We need your kilometres please whether the total is big or small. The more people who help then the quicker we will get to our total. The local newspaper said they will feature our fundraising story every time we get to a significant goal. So please join in and tell us how many kilometres you’ve walked in a day/week. contact_us@changinglivesmalawi.com
A few of the children that the Foundation supports ran 3km yesterday adding to our total. They were delighted to be helping and they also received some new clothes and flipflops too. So, the new total is 4,940.423 km which is 37.59%. Very well done everyone who has helped us so far…and if you’ve not donated any kilometres yet….please can you help us?
We are building Bright Futures Secondary School as there are not enough places available in the secondary schools nearby. Also, young people have to board as it’s too far to walk every day. Secondary education has to be paid for, so it makes it prohibitive for the majority of young people who are supported by the Foundation unless they have sponsors.
The school is being built in phases as we are on a shoestring budget as usual! Two classrooms will be built to start with, and we will add to the school over the next few years. Please will you help? These young people need a way out of poverty… they are desperate for education as they know this is the way to a better future for them and their families.
To donate you can get in touch by email contact_us@changinglivesmalawi.com for our bank details or you can donate here https://gofund.me/44a92444 You can make a difference today. We need you to help us continue Changing Lives Malawi. Hope you enjoy the photos and videos of the children running yesterday. All of these children (apart from Catherine) would benefit from being matched with a sponsor, so please get in touch if you’d like to support one of them. Thanks for reading and supporting, Sarah x
The two boys running 3km
The four girls running 3kmThese four girls ran 3km and also received some new clothes. Only Catherine (pink top) has a sponsor. If you’d like to be a sponsor email contact_us@changinglivesmalawi.comChimwemwe and Ivet received new clothes and ran 3km to add to our total. Both need sponsors.
Some of the boxes have been opened and clothes are being sorted into age groups so they can be given out at the weekend.
One box that we had sent was for the staff and volunteers. I had found a large quantity of blue adult t-shirts in a sale so I bought them and boxed them up for the adults. Levison gave out some of the t-shirts this morning and everyone was pleased that we had thought about them.
In the video, Alice, thanks us for remembering them and for their gifts. To us, a t-shirt is just an ordinary item – nothing to get too excited about. However, when you aren’t used to receiving gifts, and don’t have many clothes of your own, it means a lot to them. I hope you enjoy the photos and the video, Sarah x
Levison distributing t-shirts to staff and volunteersLevison with the female staff and volunteersNakaonga – the sewing instructor with Loveness
Alice thanking us for the t-shirtsMrs Domingo and Nakapenda – the nursery cooksAlice, Loveness and JeanAlice, Loveness and Jean– the nursery teacher
As you know, we are trying our best to raise money to build the first block of a secondary school. Bright Futures Secondary School will be a community school for the orphans and other vulnerable young people to attend.
Education should be available for everyone. There are currently not enough places at local secondary schools. If you don’t get picked for a place, even if you have passed your primary leavers exams and can afford the school fees.
This is what happened to eleven of our sponsored young people this year. They are resitting their last year of primary school, hoping for better grades, hoping to be picked for a place.
As the local secondary school is a distance away the young people, who are sponsored and do get a place at school, have to board at school. This adds to costs and also means they aren’t available to help their families with chores.
A secondary school in the village would make such a difference to so many people. Education is their way out of dire poverty – their way to a better future for themselves and their families.
Bricks are being made…about 40,000 so far, and kilns are going to be built soon to fire the bricks.
There are people working hard in Malawi and here to try our best to help these vulnerable children. As well as education, a school will help prevent teenage pregnancies and girls being married off too soon. Already, The Foundation has proved that if the young people are kept busy and given opportunities then there will be far less teenage pregnancies. The young people’s self-esteem has increased as they learn new skills, play team sports with their peers and read in the library. They know people care about them. They have hope for a better future. We need to continue supporting the projects that support them. This is absolutely vital to protect these vulnerable young people.
Here, we are trying to raise funds and awareness. It’s really hard as we know that some people have less available cash. We need to reach a wider group of people and if we all give a little, that will add up to a lot!
Also, we are trying to source supplies to provide for the young people when the school is built. We need to plan ahead as the container takes approximately 3 months for its journey.
There are over 100 chairs at The Bananabox Trust warehouse that we are sending for the first phase of the school. Someone donated boxes of new laptop bags. We are sending 80 of these for the young people to use as school bags. Pencil cases and pens are in boxes too as well as some secondary school uniform.
Stuart, my husband, delivered some boxes and 72 rugby balls to Dundee today and took a photo of all the chairs to show Levison.
I also received a photo from one of our supporters today who put a shout out on her village Facebook page asking for preloved secondary school uniform. People have been very generous as she’s collected a great amount which will kit out some of the pupils who will attend Bright Futures Secondary School.
There’s still so much to do and so much money to raise but we WILL do this. The children are relying on us. So if you can spare a few £££ we would be so grateful. Thank you for reading and supporting, Sarah x
The donations that Stuart took to Dundee today including 72 rugby balls from Annan rugby club and Merchiston Castle School. You can see that the warehouse is getting full.The chairs that we are sending for Bright Futures Secondary SchoolWe are grateful for this huge pile of secondary school uniform donations that we will send for the pupils when they start school
Just a short post from me today as I’ve got an issue with my laptop that will hopefully be sorted by tomorrow. It’s times like this that I realise that technology isn’t my forte… but thank goodness for friends who can help.
Douglas & Lynda delivered another load of boxes to Dundee yesterday. Stuart & I spent a couple of hours yesterday packing boxes. The Bananabox Trust shed in Dundee will soon be full again and then they will book another container. It won’t be long until the current one arrives at it’s destination .
Hopefully, I’ll have an update on the kilometre challenge for you tomorrow with some photos too.
So I want to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ again to everyone who supports us. We really do appreciate you.
I love this photo from The Foundation Christmas Party where younger children were all given a rain jacket, a pencil and a lolly. Smiles like this are so good to see.
Our website is having visitors from all over the world which is brilliant! This week some of the countries from which people have viewed our website are; Thailand, Spain, U.K., USA, UAE, Canada, Israel, China, Netherlands, Malawi, Ireland, Peru, Zimbabwe, Libya, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia, Antigua and France.
You can keep up to date with the most recent news by signing up to receive my blog. Thanks for reading, Sarah x
Thanks to a small Scottish charity, Smalls for All, we are talking pants today! This is the second time they have generously donated pants for all the children supported by The Foundation.
Levison gave me a list of how many boys and girls there were in each age group and I contacted Smalls for All. Stuart and I collected them from Livingston when they had made up the huge order.
Levison gives out clothes and gifts a bit at a time rather than all at once, so today was the day chosen to give out the pants which had been sorted into age groups. Each child was given 3 pairs of pants and you can see from their faces that they are delighted. I can’t really imagine us being quite so delighted with 3 pairs of pants…but then we take so much for granted and are really fortunate. These pants bring dignity and help self-esteem. The children know that people care about them enough to send all those pairs of pants. So a big THANK YOU to https://www.smallsforall.org and all the people who donate pants to them for making hundreds of children happy today. Thanks, Sarah x
This story is about the Mtambo family, living in rural northern Malawi. Not many of us can imagine just how tough life is for this family.
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Sarah’s blog 4/4/22
This family has four children and a mum and a dad. That sounds a good way to start a story. Depending where in the world this family live they might have a big house and 2 cars and plenty of money in the bank or a smaller house with the children having to share bedrooms and only one car in their family. Life might be a bit more of a struggle for them but they still have enough to get by.
But this story is about the Mtambo family, living in rural northern Malawi. Not many of us can imagine just how tough life is for this family. Not many of us can imagine just how poor they are. Mum is trying to earn some money to feed her family and hold everything together. Dad is ill and unable to work or help her with housework or the care of the children. There are three girls and a boy. Mwiza, the boy is disabled. He is left to his own devices a lot of the time, sitting on a mat, as mum cannot spend all day with him as she is working and the girls are at school and nursery. Grandma sometimes comes to help.
The story of this family and the mother’s struggle touched people’s hearts and two kind people came forward to sponsor Mwiza and Melise. The other two girls, Thokozani and Eliness, still need to be matched with sponsors. Melise’s sponsor also wanted the mum to have some money to spend on food or what she needs so she pays an extra £5 for the mum which Levison gives her and for which she is very grateful.
Having two out of the four children sponsored has made a big difference to this family. They have two monthly food parcels which supplement what mum can earn, so it takes a bit of pressure from her knowing that her children and herself and her husband have something to eat. The four children have been given new clothes and blankets and Mwiza has received a mattress and lots of toys and books to stimulate him and build up his muscles as he reaches for them. A chair is on the next container for him too.
Mum has said to Levison that she is amazed at the difference in Mwiza since the family started to have regular food and he had books and toys to stimulate him. Also, Melise although just 5 has been given a place at primary school as she is very bright. Usually children start primary school in Malawi at age 6. The extra food is obviously helping her concentration and growth and also the books sent for Mwiza will be helping all three of his sisters too. Families like these do not have the luxury of books so children miss out on lots of literacy that our children have from a very young age. It is great that the books that have been donated and sent are having a positive impact already.
This family still need a lot of help and support but the difference so far is great to see. Having the ongoing support of The Foundation and the two sponsors is helping to change these children’s lives. I hope you enjoy looking at the photos and if anyone feels they would like to join the team around this family by sponsoring Thokozani or Eliness then please do contact_us@changinglivesmalawi.com Thank you for reading and for all the support we receive helping us to continue Changing Lives Malawi, Sarah x
Just a quick blog today as it’s been a busy day. Levison was able to give Juliet and Moreen the gifts their sponsors had sent. Juliet has received gifts previously but this is Moreen’s first time and she looks a bit overwhelmed to receive lovely new things. Thank you to their sponsors and all our other sponsors for your continued support and generosity. If you would like to sponsor a child it’s only £25 p/m to help change their life. You can sponsor as an individual, a family, two friends sharing the cost or through your business or club. contact_us@changinglivesmalawi.com Together we can continue Changing Lives Malawi. Thanks for reading, Sarah x
