Malawian clinic is a gift F.R.O.M Scotland

A north-east charity has given hope to families thousands of miles away following the opening of a health clinic in Malawi.

During a long-distance ceremony held on Wednesday, July 4, the charity’s well-known patron, Fiona Kennedy, officially opened the clinic via a live telephone link.

Inverurie couple David and Kathleen Thomson founded F.R.O.M Scotland (Famine Relief for Orphans in Malawi) after visiting Malawi in 2005 and was primarily set up to feed orphans.

However, more recently funds have been put towards building the clinic in the town of Mwanayaya, southern Malawi, that previously had no medical facilities, and which will serve several villages.

David and Kathleen’s daughter, Dr Tracy Morse, who has lived and worked in Malawi for the last six years, helps co-ordinate the charities efforts.

The clinic cost around £2,500 to build and was only possible due to the hard work of F.R.O.M Scotland and the local villagers, who were so keen for the clinic to be built they made all the bricks.

Speaking at the opening, which was held at Aberdeenshire Council’s Woodhill House headquarters in Aberdeen, Fiona Kennedy said she felt privileged to be involved with the charity’s achievement.

She said: “I am delighted to be here today to celebrate this astonishing effort, which is really a family effort reaching out to other families across the world.”
Mr Thomson, who is also a trustee for the charity, added: “I would like to pay tribute to our committee and supporters who have worked so hard to raise this money.

“It is their dedication and generosity that will save lives in Malawi.”
David added he is proud of his daughter’s work in co-ordinating the charity: “It is good to see her share the enthusiasm that Kathleen and myself felt for this cause when we started F.R.O.M.”

According to her mother, Tracy had always dreamed of working in Africa. Kathleen said: “Even when she was just thirteen she said she was going to go to Strathclyde University and then go out to Africa because she wanted to make a difference, and she has done it.”

Also present at the ceremony, was Kingsley Lungu from the University of Malawi, Aberdeenshire Council’s Chief Executive, Alan Campbell, Councillor Martin Kitts-Hayes (Inverurie and District), Aberdeen City Council Deputy Provost John West, as well as the charity committee.

F.R.O.M Scotland have now raised in the region £26,500 over the past 21 months and all the money the charity raises goes straight to Malawi, with no administration costs.

The charity continues to raise funds, and has now nearly raised enough funds to replace a Birthing Unit that was previously destroyed.
Anyone interested in supporting the charity should contact David Thomson on (01467) 681208.

Contact: Assistant Communications Officer Vicky Florence
Tel: (01224) 664614
Fax: (01224) 665204