Mission to Malawi

A CRACK team of Glasgow builders spent an action packed fortnight in a poverty-stricken African country helping to build a vital clinic.

The master craftsmen from City Builders went to Malawi to build a prosthetics clinic for people who need artificial limbs. Last year, the team built an Aids clinic there.

Those taking part were: Jacob Lee, 46, a joiner from Lambhill; Ian Allan, 57, a joiner from East Kilbride; Stewart Kennedy, 37, an electrician from Tollcross; Niall Fraser, 21, a quantity surveyor from Anniesland; Graham Robb, 39, a decorator from Bellshill; Martin Bredin, 27, a joiner from Clydebank; Scott McEwan, 40, a mechanical engineer from Old Kilpatrick; and Alan Burns, 31, a project manager and metalworker from Woodside.

Here Ian, left, gives us an exclusive account of the trip from his own diary.

Day 1 - Departure
Flights from Glasgow to London, then to Nairobi, Kenya, followed by a cramped flight to Lilongwe. Free drinks and great view of Mount Kilimanjaro make it easier. Our worst fears are realised - our luggage is missing.

Day 2 - First day at site - Kamuzu Central Hospital
We arrive at the hospital in the same clothes we left Glasgow in. We agree the best site for the clinic is on a tarmac area, with excellent electrical, waste and water runs adjacent.

Our luggage arrives!

Day 3 & 4
The steel shipping containers carrying our materials will be converted into a prosthetics and orthotics clinic on behalf of a charity 500 Miles, run by Scot, Olivia Giles. Olivia, an amputee, is a former Evening Times Scotswoman of The Year.

Two containers have arrived. We had hoped they would include the one holding the plant, tools and materials. Nae luck - that's still in Tanzania!

The hospital boss has rejected our site proposal, opting for a spot with no utility connections. The heat's unbearable.

Day 5
A few of the boys are struggling with the local food.

Alan heads to the local builders merchants and returns with hammers and saws to start the internal wall frames.

We decide to do as much as possible outside because of the heat inside the containers.

Scott is able to get water and drainage routes agreed and marks out the trenches.

Graham and some of the lads put a coat of white paint on to the containers to reflect the sun. Our final container arrives.

Day 6
Work gets going for real. Alan cuts the door openings to create the link corridor connections between the containers and the temperature drops.

There is a great relationship being formed with the local tradesmen working with us.

Day 7
The first container is framed out and electrical and plumbing first fixes are almost complete.

We have laid the materials outside. The remarkable thing is that nothing has gone missing and, from last year's experience, nothing will. The people are so trustworthy - they are devoutly Christian.

We meet John Faihti, a local who is sleeping rough at the hospital with his wife to prepare food for their son in intensive care after a car crash.

John asks if he can get the plastic signs from the shipping containers to sleep on.

Day 8
Everyone is working their backsides off in the hope of finishing before next Friday meaning we might get a day off!

The second container is now framed out and insulated. Doors are cut into the last container.