| Are you bored with package holidays? Do you wish that you could have a holiday experience that would change your life forever? Then Malawi MACS is the holiday for you. You might never have even heard of Malawi as it rarely hits the headlines. It is a hidden gem; a small land-locked African country that is at peace with itself and whose locals offer you riches beyond measure; a genuinely warm welcome, unique smiles and unconditional love. |  |
| We joined a small group of 11; a diverse team from all walks of life and with an age span from 14 to 83! We were, however, united in a common purpose and our team leader, Bazil Arden, one of the MACS trustees, was an inspirational group leader whose knowledge and love of his birthplace opened a unique window onto the kaleidoscopic culture and traditions of the warm heart of Africa. |
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During our two week stay we were able to mix work with pleasure. We basked in the glorious lake of stars, went on safari and snorkelled in the crystal clear waters. We were invited to attend nine weddings and a funeral and we also visited many of the self help projects that have benefited from the generosity of MACS donations from the UK. Many of the projects are led by dynamic individuals who have the talent to mobilise a whole community. Two extraordinary ladies, Agnes and Angela, run the Lingadzi Orphan Care Project at Chankhungu. It is unbelievable to think that in a country of 14 million, 450, 000 of them have no parents because of the HIV/Aids pandemic and Malaria. Five of the children at Lingadzi have no living relatives so they have to live alone and to fend for themselves. The centre is their lifeline. They mix every day with over 200 other vulnerable children and learn how to sing, to dance and to pray. Their smiles are heart rending as they have nothing and appreciate everything. MACS have recently funded a school room there and work is now underway to build a toilet block from bricks produced by the villagers themselves. |
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The main focus of our stay was at Nkope Health Centre where we worked alongside the locals to clean, to paint and to put up new mosquito netting. Conditions were squalid, but we were able, little by little, to give the Malawians an insight into what they now need to do for themselves in order to maintain the progress there. At Nkope, we met another amazing lady; Clara, who runs the blind school. She, like Agnes and Angela, has been able to achieve remarkable things against the most impossible odds. All of her protégées can read, write and count and they have an inner sense of self belief that is truly extraordinary. MACS have recently purchased a new uniform for the 24 pupils there and they sang a heart-breaking thank you song to us as they wore their new uniforms with such pride and gratitude.
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| Clearly education and health are the key issues for almost any country, but especially for one as poor as Malawi so it was also a delight and a privilege to meet Jezman, the vibrant head master of Nkhotakota Secondary School, where MACS have purchased school books and funded two double classrooms and are now considering the funds for a laboratory. We also met a pioneer student called Omex who finishes school this year and is looking to become a doctor. He is the only one of 8 children to complete secondary education as it is costly and most parents have no option but to keep their children at home to work on the land. |
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The MACS team are dedicated to making a positive difference to the lives of the most vulnerable communities. They give the Malawians a real chance to make their aspirations and dreams become a reality. Furthermore, they offer those of us who are lucky enough to join them on one of their trips from the UK the chance to experience the culture and traditions at first hand and to find a new dimension and purpose to our own lives, which will never ever be the same. Amanda Quince |
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Carpe Diem-MACS Malawi 2010
