Boost for Malawi pupils after ex-FM’s masks fundraiser
Schoolchildren banned from class in Malawi for not having masks are heading back after a fundraising drive by Jack McConnell.
The former first minister’s charity intervened after pupils in the African country were told they couldn’t return without face coverings in January because of Covid-19.
Many of the children at Minga Community Day School and Buluzi Primary, in the Lilongwe region, couldn’t afford the items or were having to wash disposable ones.
The McConnell International Foundation launched an appeal in February and more than 1000 locally made reusable masks have now been delivered.
Money was donated by members of a team who visited the schools with McConnell when he was first minister in 2005. He then doubled the amount to about £1000.
Lord McConnell said: “When I heard that the children couldn’t return after lockdown because they couldn’t afford a 50p mask, I contacted those who went with me to Malawi in 2005 to see if we could all chip in.
“If children in Malawi are to have any chance of climbing out of poverty, they need education. The lockdown has had a massive impact on young people so I’m delighted we have been able to help hundreds of kids return to school.
“Minga School had a big impact on me in 2005. The commitment and the passion of the teachers showed me that there can be a better future for these children if education is available to all and the quality is improved.
“I’m very happy that we have been able to help them again.”
Malawi’s minister of education, Chikondi Chimala, confirmed that a child without a mask would not be allowed to attend lessons.
Minga headmaster Denis Msukwa said: “Covid-19 has spared no country and poor countries like Malawi have been hit harder than rich countries.
“Most students here can’t afford to buy a mask – most use any piece of cloth and some even have to wash disposable masks. But this is now a thing of the past thanks to the donation of reusable masks.
“This has helped the schools to fight this deadly pandemic. Now every student has a mask while in class. On behalf of the two schools which have benefited from this support, I am very thankful to Lord McConnell.”