News Article
This article originally appeared in the March 2006 edition of Dunblane Cathedral Magazine
News Article
This article originally appeared in the March 2006 edition of Dunblane Cathedral Magazine
Appeal for Mary's Meals for Likhubula
“There is no better investment in peace and prosperity than giving children food in school”.
World Food Programme 2005
Mary’s Meals – what is involved?
Scottish International Relief (who have a shop on the High Street) have been working in Malawi since 2002 running Mary’s Meals, a programme to help chronically hungry children gain an education by providing them with a daily meal in school. It is a very simple scheme. Mary’s Meals’ workers in Malawi help a community to build a kitchen and storeroom, provide start-up equipment and regular supplies of vitamin-fortified maize. Volunteers from the local community give their own time and labour to cook and provide the simple meals for the children in the school (no easy task if – as in Likhubula - this also involves fetching water from a nearby river and firewood from the mountain). Already there are over 50,000 children in Malawi receiving Mary’s Meals, and there is clear evidence to show that this leads to improved enrolment and attendance at school, as well as better concentration and attainment levels. Children who are eating regularly become less susceptible to infection, plus involving the community in a direct way in the school helps to promote the importance of education for girls – still, at times, an issue in Malawi.
An invitation to Dunblane
Through the Dunblane Likhubula Partnership we already have a link with Nansato Primary School, which nestles at the foot of Mount Mulanje in Malawi. Scottish International Relief would love to have been expanding the scheme to schools in this area, but this was part of a long-term plan and not due to happen for some years. So in March 2006 the community in Dunblane, through the Dunblane Likhubula Partnership, has undertaken to raise the sums needed to introduce the scheme now in Nansato Primary School. As this issue goes to press, Mary’s Meals are being served for the first time in Likhubula.
We believe the benefits will be seen quickly. When we made our first visit to Nansato School in June 2005 there were 1,200 children enrolled in the school. By the time the second visitors arrived in October 2005, enrolment had dropped to 900 because of drought and food shortages. Mr Chiromo, head teacher of the school (who visited Dunblane in November 2005) has welcomed this scheme with enthusiasm as a chance to turn the tide. When we asked if this might put too much pressure on class sizes that are already over 100, he replied, “It is my job to teach children. Please help me to bring the children to the school.”
How do we respond?
Donations can be made directly to Scottish International Relief using the attached form. Pass the word around! 2,000 people each giving £12 a year would cover the costs of the scheme for the next three years, but donations of any amount are welcome – small or large. For example, £20 would buy 400 mugs for the children. £250 would buy an ecological cooking pot that uses one sixth of the amount of wood. Don’t forget the benefits of adding Gift Aid if you can.
What is the Dunblane Likhubula Partnership?
This started in 2005 in Dunblane Cathedral with a significant input from young people, and is now rolling out to include the schools, aspects of Stirling Council and other areas of the community. Young people in Dunblane above the age of 7 have their own group called the Likhubula Link which meets every 3rd Sunday in the Dunblane Centre. To shape the partnership there is a Steering Committee in Likhubula and one in Dunblane and together we are constructing a Partnership Agreement which emphasises that this is a collaboration between equals, where each can learn from and support the other. Last year’s series of introductory visits gave us the opportunity to meet the people we will be working with, and gave the people of Likhubula a chance to show us how we can assist them. Our partners have taught us an important word in their language, Chichewa. It is UMODZI – working together, unity.
What better example of UMODZI than this new collaboration between Dunblane, Likhubula and Mary’s Meals? Please consider supporting us!
Penpals between Dunblane and Nansato School
As of March 2006 there are over 200 young people, spread across all five schools in Dunblane, who write to penpals in Nansato School.
Here are some quotes from the letters of the Malawian children, written in December 2005:
‘During the examination period I was suffering from headache and malaria but I was very glad when I heard that I had passed my exams.’
‘At Dunblane for going to school is eating breakfast. Me, I am not eating breakfast for going to school.’
‘I know that you are climbing in a car. I am not climbing in a car. I am going to school without wearing shoes.’
Many of the comments are positive, as friendships are developing:
‘I just want to encourage you to work tooth and nail so that you can pass with flying colours in class’
‘My hobbies include reading, playing football and singing’
‘When passing by the elders we show respect by kneeing down and greet them.’
‘On my Christmas I went to Mulanje mountain and see some animals, monkey, leopard and so forth.’
‘It is a strange and wonderful mountain. Please come and see it.’
‘I do dream about you now and then.’ ‘I love you like a cup of tea.’