Perthshire couple on a mission to help communities in Malawi
The BBT container being unloaded in Ekwendeni School as many students just sat in class as they didn’t have these things.
“We have helped people identified by Ben Kalua who needed immediate food and clothing.
“Each sponsored student has just received about £4.50 as a Christmas present and they are all over the moon.
“Instead of buying something for themselves they all said they were going to buy a chicken and some maize or rice so they and their families could have a Christmas dinner. Something that they wouldn’t be having as most have no money at all. Blankets donated by the Banana Box Trust to pregnant women in and around Ekwendeni
“Mtende has also provided 10 micro loans of £20 per person which has enabled 20 people to start or improve their business.
“This is life-changing for them and also enables them to feed their families and pay education fees.
“I think Anne Macleod and Janette Hardy deserve a mention as both help to raise funds and collect donations of clothes and goods to send out and also helped with bag packs and market stalls along with our week spent collecting in the Thrift Shop in Aberfeldy.
“Sadly Marleen died last December but she was one very wonderful person who helped to raise so much money for our cause.
“Sponsorship for education is so important because most of them don’t get any education.
“You can only see small changes in small places but overall I think the issues are getting worse. “So it’s more important than ever.” The Ekwendeni area also received a Christmas boost as a container from the Banana Box Trust arrived on December 24, containing an abundance of donated clothes, household items and sports gear.
Breadalbane Strathtay Community Football also One of the Ekwendeni villagers starting a shop after getting the £20 loan donated a number of strips, boots and footballs for the local children. Lilian said: “Santa arrived early in Ekwendeni. “Thank you to everyone who made this possible. “Whenever you leave there you want to go back. I don’t know what it is but it gets under your skin. “You just have to go back to help. “We’ve been very lucky to be able to help.” To donate towards helping in Malawi contact info@bananaboxtrust.org or for more information lilianmack@btinternet.com
You have women sobbing in your arms because you have given them a bar of soap that they don’t have