MALAWI is the warm heart of Africa according to a nurse who has just returned from volunteering at Open Arms.
Lizzie McCombe, 23, spent almost two months in Malawi, dividing her time between working at Harrogate House and the infants' home in Blantyre.
Harrogate House is part of the larger Open Arms project, built by money raised by our readers in 2004, which looks after orphans who have lost their parents to AIDS or poverty.
Lizzie, from Park Row, Knaresborough, said she had always spoken about doing something special with her life and she decided to volunteer at Open Arms.
But slots had already been filled, and she had to wait until the summer of 2007 for confirmation that a place was available in 2008.
Lizzie said: "I had lots of images in my mind of what Open Arms would be like - sad, crying unloved babies, poverty, disease, death.
"But I could not get over how happy everybody was. The children never stopped smiling and laug
hing."
Lizzie, who qualified as a nurse from York University in 2006, said she was only meant to stay at Open Arms for four weeks but that she fell in love with Open Arms so much that she stayed for the full seven weeks of the trip.
She said: "From my trip to Malawi, I can say that it is true what people say, it definitely is the warm heart of Africa. However, this is a country in need, full of poverty, disease and corruption.
"I plan to go back to Open Arms next year, by when Open Arms 2 will be built so I can re-visit where I have been and the babies and people I fell in love with."
Sunday, 16 March 2008
Magnificent Malawi Travel
Often billed as 'the warm heart of Africa', Malawi offers something for all visitors. One of the most beautiful and laid-back countries in Africa, Malawi is renowned for being a destination for those seeking adventure, leisure or eco-tourism attractions. Malawi's scenery is gorgeous and varied and Malawians tend to be extremely friendly toward travellers. Nature lovers will adore the national parks and game reserves, mountain hiking and plateau trekking.
Malawi's road network is reasonably well established, with most major routes tarred. Bus transport is a viable option, with express and luxury coach options available and boat trips are a fond favourite. For those seeking a more comprehensive African adventure, there are a number of overland tour operators running trips that span various countries, allowing travellers an opportunity to really experience the spirit of Africa and enjoy a variety of experiences.
Lake Malawi - probably the most famous of Malawi's tourist attractions, Lake Malawi is also know as also known as Lake Nyassa and 'Livingstone's Lake' (after famous explorer David Livingstone). It is the most southerly lake in the Great African Rift Valley. The lake, about 560 km long and with a total area of nearly 30 000km², is bordered by Mozambique, Malawi, and Tanzania and is a source of territorial dispute between Malawi and Tanzania. Lake Malawi is home to a greater variety of indigenous species of fish than any other lake in the world, making it very popular among scuba divers and snorkellers. Its peaceful blue waters and stunning golden beaches make for great retreats for those seeking a bit of rest and relaxation. Water sports like kayaking; canoeing, windsailing and water skiing are available for those seeking a more active source of fun.
Ecobank now in 22 countries
Africa’s dominant financial brand, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated now has branches in 22 African countries following the opening of two new subsidiaries in Malawi and Congo-Brazzaville.
With this development, the Ecobank Group no doubt is the clear leader in regional banking on the Africa continent.
While announcing the opening of the new subsidiaries, Ecobank Group’s Chief Executive Officer, Arnold Ekpe, said the development signals further the management’s commitment to bring Ecobank to the citizens of target countries, while opening up the group to meet the challenges of globalization.
He said: “we remain committed to our African roots and to Africa’s development”.
The new subsidiary in Pointe Noire, Congo-Brazzaville is Ecobank’s fifth affiliate in Central Africa and represents an important step towards the bank’s objective of covering the whole region.
However, Ecobank’s acquisition of a majority interest in Loita Bank Malawi, a subsidiary of Loita Capital Partners International, significantly extends the Ecobank’s Group reach to southern Africa markets.
Loita Bank Limited has been a longstanding provider of financial services, specializing in structured finance and trade finance services in Malawi.
According to Ekpe, expanding to Malawi is in line with the bank’s overall objective to expand its operations across middle Africa. He maintained that with its entry into Malawi, the Group is determined to develop Ecobank Malawi into a leading and profitable bank that will play its role in the economic development of that country.
Albert Essien, the Ecobank Regional Director in charge of Eastern and Southern Africa, added that “Ecobank will seek to provide enhanced products and services to its customers in Malawi.’
In addition to Congo-Brazzaville and Malawi, the Group is presently in 20 other countries that include Benin Republic, Burkina-Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Conakry, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo.
Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI) was incorporated in 1985, and remains the parent company of the largest independent regional banking group in Africa. ETI is listed on the Stock Exchanges in Nigeria, Ghana, and the Abidjan Securities: Bourse Régionale des Valeurs Mobilières (BRVM). The Group has over 8,000 employees in over 450 branches in its affiliate countries.
Ecobank is a full-service bank providing wholesale, retail, investment and transaction banking services and products to governments, financial institutions, multinationals, international organisations, medium, small and micro businesses and individuals.
With this development, the Ecobank Group no doubt is the clear leader in regional banking on the Africa continent.
While announcing the opening of the new subsidiaries, Ecobank Group’s Chief Executive Officer, Arnold Ekpe, said the development signals further the management’s commitment to bring Ecobank to the citizens of target countries, while opening up the group to meet the challenges of globalization.
He said: “we remain committed to our African roots and to Africa’s development”.
The new subsidiary in Pointe Noire, Congo-Brazzaville is Ecobank’s fifth affiliate in Central Africa and represents an important step towards the bank’s objective of covering the whole region.
However, Ecobank’s acquisition of a majority interest in Loita Bank Malawi, a subsidiary of Loita Capital Partners International, significantly extends the Ecobank’s Group reach to southern Africa markets.
Loita Bank Limited has been a longstanding provider of financial services, specializing in structured finance and trade finance services in Malawi.
According to Ekpe, expanding to Malawi is in line with the bank’s overall objective to expand its operations across middle Africa. He maintained that with its entry into Malawi, the Group is determined to develop Ecobank Malawi into a leading and profitable bank that will play its role in the economic development of that country.
Albert Essien, the Ecobank Regional Director in charge of Eastern and Southern Africa, added that “Ecobank will seek to provide enhanced products and services to its customers in Malawi.’
In addition to Congo-Brazzaville and Malawi, the Group is presently in 20 other countries that include Benin Republic, Burkina-Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Conakry, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo.
Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI) was incorporated in 1985, and remains the parent company of the largest independent regional banking group in Africa. ETI is listed on the Stock Exchanges in Nigeria, Ghana, and the Abidjan Securities: Bourse Régionale des Valeurs Mobilières (BRVM). The Group has over 8,000 employees in over 450 branches in its affiliate countries.
Ecobank is a full-service bank providing wholesale, retail, investment and transaction banking services and products to governments, financial institutions, multinationals, international organisations, medium, small and micro businesses and individuals.
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