The annual report provides details of how MACS funds have been allocated in the Year 2003-2004.

Once again the work of MACS has continued successfully throughout the year. Our supporters continue to be very generous and, although our gross income is down, we have still managed to support many projects. Last year's income included a significant contribution towards the appeal for famine relief, (we sent over £36,000 for emergency feeding alone.) This year has also seen the completion of the Nambira project and the last contribution from the Community Fund so, overall, we have disbursed approximately £83,232 in Malawi.

ProjectsOver the year MACS has supported the following range of initiatives:

Health (£22,884)
MACS has supported St Anne's St Luke's and St Martin's and their associated health centres. The problems of helping the large numbers of people with HIV/AIDS continue. In Nkhotakota District 65% of the population are living below the poverty line (earning less than US$1 per day - 56p). This means that the hospital is unable to recover an average of 80% of its costs.

AIDS projects (£8,114)
The appalling statistics of the pandemic are obvious with the decimation of trained personnel. More teachers and medical staff are dying of Aids than are being trained. Also, Malawian nurses frequently seek posts in the U.K. and elsewhere so there is now a critical shortage of nurses in Malawi. The good news is that anti-retroviral drugs - ARVs are being introduced at an affordable price. The bad news is by 2006 only 1 in 17 who would have been kept alive by ARVs will have received them. Pilot schemes began in Malawi in 2001 and the drop out rate is well below 10%, which is better than in many other countries. MACS has also supported work through MACOBO (Malosa Community based Organisation), a voluntary group associated with St Luke's; information workshops and training sessions and distributed The Macmillan AIDS Awareness Series Booklets throughout the Dioceses.

Orphan projects (£2,140)
There are many groups working in 'grass root' ways to support the numerous AIDS orphans, The Malindi Orphan Care Group is one that we have supported this year. Their techniques are being copied by other groups. Irrigation is the key to food production and Johnny Uda, a local builder has developed a method for concrete well liners and 7 wells have been dug. MACS has also funded a wind pump designed by a Malawian engineer and have supported several local orphan committees.

Education (£17,835)
MACS has continued to support both Secondary and Primary Schools and has given money for bursaries at Secondary level. £2000 was given for a motor bicycle for the Education Secretary in the Diocese of Upper Shire.

Churches and Clergy houses (£28,074)
This year this has been our largest area of support and we have tried to help those churches high on the Bishops' priority lists. Generally, local congregations burn the bricks and provide the labour and MACS helps with the costs of cement and roofing materials. All four dioceses have been given help.

MACS has also disbursed approximately (£4,285) on miscellaneous projects.

On behalf of people in Malawi who have been helped this year, we say thank you to the many people in the U.K for their donations and prayers. We would also like to thank those in Malawi who help MACS with the practicalities of supporting work on the ground.