Three Galway based members of the Galway charity Zikomo Ireland go to Malawi this week to review community development programmes in the region and determine the best projects to pursue.
Margaret Geraghty (Corcullen), who was born and grew up in Malawi, Clare O’Sullivan (Clarenbridge), and Malawian Jane de Hora will work with the staff of partner organisations like Self Help Africa and The African Conservation Trust in assessing community needs.
In 2002 poor rains in Southern Africa meant the maize crops failed and there were widespread food shortages throughout the region. Margaret, Clare, and Jane organised fundraising activities to send emergency aid to Malawi and the emergency food supplies were distributed to those most in need.
From November 2002 a decision was made to generate money for projects beyond emergency relief and to work towards putting something sustainable in place. Since then Zikomo projects have ranged from purchasing and installing over 600 water pumps in rural villages, providing rural clinics with medicine, building community centres, and subsidising villagers to buy goats and bees.
During their time in Malawi the group will be reviewing the effects that these projects have had on the locals’ lives as well as assessing the progress of their latest project; a multi-facetted malaria prevention programme on the southern shores of Lake Malawi.
Projects that Zikomo are looking to start up in Malawi this year include micro financing, integrated aquaculture agriculture, forestry initiatives and AIDS prevention education centres.
The group wishes to thank everyone who has supported the work of Zikomo over the years and the success of their projects is a tribute to the people of Galway. Furthermore all travel and administration costs are met by the volunteers so that all money donated goes directly to Zikomo’s carefully selected development projects in the poorest areas of Malawi.
Thursday, 26 June 2008
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