Mayo people are making a real difference in Malawi

LAST year, eight Mayo people (Marcella Heffernan, Ciara McDermott, Nuala O’Shea, Marie O’Malley, John Maughan, Catherine Brennan, Eamon O’Hara and John Connolly), set off for Malawi as part of an 80-strong group from all over Ireland on the ‘Playing for Life’ programme.

In total, 20 people travelled from each of the four provinces and the team comprised of people from all walks of life, featuring men and women with a variety of useful skills and attributes.

This year, three people from Connacht (Liam McHale, Colin Regan and Eleanor Shanley) are making that same trip to do what they can for the people of Malawi. Mayo’s Liam McHale is also organising a Golf Classic, to be held in Ballina, to raise funds for the charity.

The aim of the ‘Playing for Life’ charity is to assist in developing a safe and happy environment for young people through sport and play in several underprivileged areas. The mission is also to create an educational series of games, focusing on health, self-respect and that of others, friendship, social integration, participation and team skills. The charity also strives to involve the local community in building multi-purpose facilities, sharing skills, empowering others, improving self-sufficiency, and leaving behind a tangible legacy.

All volunteers have been asked to raise a minimum of

•5,500 prior to departure and from this, the volunteers’ air fare, accommodation and meals will be paid, with the remainder of the fundraising used to develop the activities for Playing for Life in Malawi.


This year, the group will develop two projects in Tanzania and Malawi and urgently need Builders, Dressmakers and Home Economic teachers for their programmes. If you can help or are in a position to spare two weeks of your time at the end of September or the first two weeks in November, please contact 045 881607/ fax 045 881609.

Malawi is a small, narrow country, wedged between Zambia, Tanzania and Mozambique, and bordered on its eastern flank by Lake Malawi. The vast majority of the population live in the rural areas, earning their living from the land. Many areas in Malawi are regarded as food deficit, resulting in severe poverty. The average day’s wage in the region is 1 and an average cup of coffee in the area costs 25cent.

The problems that are experienced on a daily basis by the people of this region will not be solved in a day, a week, a month, or even a year. But, it is the aim of this particular ‘Playing for Life’ mission to do whatever little bit they can to help the Malawian natives.

Mayo Ladies football star Marcella Heffernan, who took part in the programme last year, said that she was delighted to be part of the Playing for Life programme in Malawi.

“The experience exceeded all of my expectations. It truly was a life-changing experience,” Marcella told the Western People.

Marcella went on to describe her amazement of the attitudes of the people she met in Malawi. “I’ve never known anyone to be so happy with so little. They really did appreciate the little things,” she said.

Marcella took part in the programme as a sports instructor for the children of Malawi.

“Their ability to pick up games was incredible, the children learned so much in such a short space of time,” recalled the Mayo footballer.

When asked what she thought of the overall experience Marcella commented that the only thing she could compare that experience to was winning the All-Ireland with Mayo Ladies football. “I would highly recommend the trip to anyone who wants to make a change for the better in these people’s lives,” concluded the caring Mayo lady.