Malawi Kiltwalk for cash
Fair Trade Stirling is inviting everyone to get their walking boots on – or running or cycling shoes - and join in a virtual journey together from Scotland to Malawi.
It’s all to raise funds to help FTS’s fair trade partners in the Karonga region of Malawi to set up youth enterprises, rebuilding young people’s lives after all the disruption of COVID.
The effort will be part of Scotland’s Virtual Kiltwalk in April. Officially the Kiltwalk is timed for the weekend of April 23-25 but people can do their chosen exercise anytime in April. It can be done on your own or with a friend, in line with current COVID rules.
To take part, register at the Kiltwalk site www.thekiltwalk.co.uk and search Fair Trade Stirling as the cause being supported when registering. The Tom Hunter Foundation will add 50 per cent to what is raised.
The fundraiser follows on from the successful Make a Malawi Meal event in March when people met up online with Malawian cooks in Karonga. People heard the story of Abigail Mwangonde, a young single mother who has been one of the first women in Karonga to learn carpentry skills. She is now able to make chairs, beds and tables. With the money raised, she and young people like her will be able to attend a new learning centre and gain a trade qualification.
Jon Cape, Fair Trade Stirling co-ordinator said:“We want to walk 8000 miles between us in small chunks, which would get us the equivalent distance of travelling from central Scotland to Malawi.
“Our Malawi partners were due to travel here last year and that sadly had to be cancelled due to the pandemic. If people let us know how far they have travelled for this event we will tot all the miles up and show how far we have got on the journey. After the event, those who wish to can take part in an online chat with our Malawian friends.You can get in touch through our website.”
For more on the group visit www. fairtradestirling.org or search Groups for Fair Trade Stirling on Facebook.