Marystown man’s trip to Malawi about helping others

Jamie Farewell is expecting his trip to Malawi this summer to be a life changing experience.
The Marystown resident is headed to the African country in August as part of a group from this province. The participants have partnered with Global Youth Missions and will be part of ‘YC Malawi’.
For the past several years, Mr. Farewell has been a regular attendee of ‘YC Newfoundland’, an inter-denominational gathering of youth and young adults held in the province.
The event attracts upwards of 4,000 participants from around Newfoundland and Labrador annually.
Each year, a collection is taken during the conference. For several years, the money raised was donated to a project to help build an orphanage in Malawi’s capital, Lilongwe, called the ‘Village of Hope’.
Mr. Farewell, 30, indicated the project to build the orphanage was successfully completed a couple of years ago.
“So, last year now their new mission was to have what’s called YC Malawi. It’s the same thing we have here in Newfoundland. It’s just going to be a larger scale. It’s going to be a huge venue – a lot of people from Malawi will be attending.
“Plus, they wanted to send over some groups to just help in the community and reach out.”
‘IN MY HEART’
Malawi is a densely populated, democratic country, bordered to the northwest by Zambia, and Tanzania to the north, with Mozambique surrounding the east, south and west.
Despite being the world’s seventh poorest county, Malawi is often referred to as ‘the warm heart of Africa’. The country has an estimated population of 13 million, with about 400,000 people residing in the Lilongwe, the capital since 1971.
Malawi is heavily dependant on agriculture. Tobacco, tea and sugar are the country’s three biggest exports.
Poor nutrition and insufficient access to medical treatment are among the country’s most significant problems. Malawi has more than a million orphans – AIDs the biggest contributing factor.
During the trip, Mr. Farewell and his group will visit orphanages and prisons, conduct children and youth ministries and participate in other humanitarian efforts. He indicated he’s very excited to be going on the mission.
“Really, it’s been something in my heart for a long time and last year I decided that when they had the opportunity, that you could fill out the application and apply for it, I spoke to my wife about it and I said, ‘I’d really like to try to apply and see.’”
It took a while to hear back, and had actually slipped to the back of his mind. Then one day he opened his e-mail to some wonderful news. He’s spent the last couple of weeks getting organized for the trip.
“It was unreal. It was a little bit surreal, just check your normal e-mails and then to see that … I’m going to Africa! I can’t wait.
“Just to see a different culture and to be a part of it. Just helping others and reaching out to a different area of the world.”
FUNDRAISING
Mr. Farewell is planning a number of fundraisers, with the help of family and friends, to raise the $3,600 needed to cover the costs of the trip.
May 3 there’s a bake sale at the Peninsula Mall in Marystown. There’s a yard sale on Greenwood Street May 24. A gospel concert is also in the works.
He indicated the Calvary Pentecostal Church and the community, in general, have been very supportive of his mission.
“You don’t realize it when you’re always at home and in your own community. You know everybody and everybody’s pretty much the same – same type of culture – but when you go overseas and see how they live and how they react to people and treat people is really amazing.
“I’ve heard a few people say they’ve went before or knew people that have gone before, and they said that it’s changed their life, just their perspective on things is just totally different.”
Most people’s experiences with Africa have come through television programs or in magazine articles. Mr. Farewell acknowledged he’s looking forward to witnessing the continent up close.
“You’re only getting tunnel vision, basically – you’re not getting the full aspect. To witness it firsthand and to go and see the full outlook of everything is going to be an awesome experience.”

NutraCea and Raising Malawi Expand Humanitarian Collaboration for Orphans in Cambodia

Project will Track Health of Orphans on NutraCea RiSolubles(R)


PHOENIX, April 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- NutraCea (BULLETIN BOARD: NTRZ) and Raising Malawi, a humanitarian aid project co- founded by Madonna and Michael Berg, will expand their humanitarian feeding program into Cambodia. Malnourished children from two Khemer Foundation orphanages located in Sre Ampil and Battambong, Cambodia will receive RiSolubles daily for one year.

"We will be providing NutraCea's nutrient rich RiSolubles, made from stabilized rice bran, to orphans residing in Peaceful Villages #1 and #2 for a period of one year," said Margie Adelman, Senior Vice President of NutraCea. "Throughout the year, we will track the progress of the children to demonstrate the positive impact expected from the RiSolubles intense nourishment program on the malnourished orphans," stated Adelman.

"We are highly encouraged by the results we have seen over the past year with children consuming RiSolubles at Consol Homes, an orphan care center that feeds many hundreds of malnourished children a day and is located just outside of Lilongwe," said Philippe van den Bossche, Executive Director of Raising Malawi. "While we are still very active in Malawi, our organization is reaching out to other parts of the world that are experiencing human suffering and with the help of NutraCea, we are able to bring some much needed nourishment to these orphans in Cambodia, an area that is in dire need of humanitarian relief," added van den Bossche.

Adelman continued, "This program with Raising Malawi is part of a larger initiative focused on collecting pertinent data from feeding programs in multiple countries to demonstrate the value of our products in dealing with the world hunger crisis. We are also engaged in discussions with governments of rice-producing countries to find sustainable ways to benefit their local economies, and convert an underutilized food source into millions of servings a day of a nutritious food that can combat the causes of malnutrition through the proprietary technology that NutraCea has developed."

About Raising Malawi

Since 2006, Raising Malawi has been dedicated to bringing an end to the extreme poverty and hardship endured by Malawi's one million orphans. Co- founded by Madonna and Michael Berg, Raising Malawi uses a community-based approach to provide immediate direct physical assistance, support long-term sustainability, create educational and psycho-social programs, and build public awareness for the plight of Malawi's vulnerable children through multimedia and worldwide volunteer initiatives. http://www.raisingmalawi.org/

Iran ready to help Malawi improve its agriculture system

TEHRAN, Apr. 15 (MNA) -- Iran is prepared to share its experiences with Malawi in all areas, especially in agriculture and healthcare, President Mahmud Ahmadinejad said here on Tuesday at a meeting with Malawian Foreign Minister Joyce Hilda Banda.

The Islamic Republic sees no limits in expanding ties with the southeastern African country of Malawi, the president said.

Ahmadinejad also stated, “We should all try to change the repressive condition dominating the world.”

Banda appreciated the Islamic Republic for its efforts to establish and expand relations with African countries.

Malawi is interested in sharing Iran’s experiences in various areas including agriculture, water resources management, technical education, and healthcare, she said.

She also expressed hope that the Malawian president’s future visit to Iran would be a turning point in Tehran-Lilongwe relations.

ENGLAND BEAT MALAWI IN FIRST TEST MATCH

NETBALL FANS at the Hallam FM Arena was treated to a display of vintage African netball this evening when the Malawi Queens took on England in the first match of the Co-operative International Test Series.

Despite some stunning work by veteran Malawian GA Mary Waya, who appeared to take on the English defence singlehandedly, the home side was simply too powerful and too versatile for the African visitors to overcome, as England ran out 66-36 winners.

Starting with the former U21 front line of Brownfield, Cookey, Binns and Bayman, England were electrifying from the start, and their pace and accuracy frequently left the Malawian team clutching at air.

They ended the first quarter 18-7 ahead, and despite Bayman being replaced by Elsley at C as a precaution, following a knock to the thigh, for the second period, the momentum stayed with the home team to the half time break, when they led 31-19.

Malawi emerged reinvigorated after the half time break, and went goal for goal for the first few minutes of the quarter. A swift one-two between the irrepressible GA Mary Waya, who was a joy to watch throughout the game, and GS Kumwenda could have allowed the Africans to keep up the pressure, but the youngster missed a sitter under the post, and England stepped up a gear.

With Cookey and Brownfield now on song, a run of nine goals effectively put the game out of Malawi's reach, as England pushed on to lead 48-26 at three quarter time.

Naida Hutchinson and Jo Harten were introduced for the final period, at GD and GS respectively, and they appeared to give the English side even more impetus, with Hutchinson, in particular, driving the ball effectively through the mid-court.

However, Malawi were not to be dismissed, and with 19-year-old GS Kumwenda plucking in some seemingly hopeless feeds, their work rate never dropped.

Ultimately, it was England's pace and power which saw them through, although Malawi's coach Griffin Saenda also called for more consistency of umpiring in the next test, as he felt this had impeded his players. He promised that they would emerge revitalised, and that the next game could be "explosive" - those with tickets would do well to arrive early!

The second match in the Co-operative International Test series is on Wednesday night at the Coventry Skydome before the series concludes on Friday at Wembley Arena. Catch all the action from the first match tomorrow on Sky Sports Xtra.

Malawi links 'worth keeping up'

Former First Minister Jack McConnell has said the co-operation agreement he signed with Malawi three years ago is benefiting both countries.

Mr McConnell has just returned from a week-long visit to the African country.

Work reviewed on the trip included health projects, feeding stations, hospitals and schools.

He told Holyrood's external affairs committee that Malawi should continue to be the focus of Scotland's international development work.

Mr McConnell said Scottish expertise in food production could be used to help Malawi.

He claimed Scotland's work in the country, which is one of the poorest in the world, could be a model for future international aid between devolved regions and poorer nations.

Mr McConnell, who was first minister from November 2001 until last May's elections, said: "There is absolutely no doubt, in Malawi in particular, but I think also across Scotland, that the link between Scotland and Malawi has been strengthened.

"It has inspired voluntary activity among Scots of all ages and from all walks of life.

"I am now in absolutely no doubt that it is making a real difference inside Malawi too."

Mr McConnell is due to take over as the UK's High Commissioner to Malawi in 2009.

He set out a series of recommendations for the committee, including an overhaul of transportation of supplies to Malawi, which can no longer cope with contributions, and greater support for volunteering.

'Positive approaches'

SNP MSP Gil Paterson quizzed Mr McConnell about fears over a "world food price crisis" and the help Scotland could provide the sector in Malawi.

Mr McConnell replied that there was a dominance of the tobacco crop in Malawi but said there were substantial maize and nut crops as well as other agricultural produce.

But he warned: "There's very, very little processing.

"I think one of the things we've learned here in Scotland over the last 20 years is that in fish and basic agricultural produce, the processing end is the value end. That's the key to a successful future.

"I think in Scotland there's advice that could be provided, partly by national agencies, but by the private sector as well.

"I've had some very positive approaches from significant figures in the Scottish agricultural sector who are keen to help in this and I've offered this assistance to agricultural ministers in Malawi two weeks ago."

Malawi aid links examined

Scottish expertise in food production could be used to help Malawi, former First Minister Jack McConnell said.

He was quizzed about the "world food price crisis" by MSPs on Holyrood's European and external affairs committee as he gave evidence on the aid links.

The former Labour leader told MSPs that Scotland's work in Malawi could be a model for international aid between devolved regions and poorer countries.

3MA performs in Malawi

Three artists from Madagascar, Mali and Morocco on Friday offered a scintillating performance in Malawi during their concert at French Cultural Centre (FCC) in the country's commercial city of Blantyre.

The three artists dubbed 3MA offered Malawians the Best African art which showed them how important traditional instruments are as far as producing the best sound.

From Mali Ballake Sissoko brought in his Kora instrument and Madagascar’s Ragery plucked his valiha with Moroccan Driss El Maloumi playing his Oud.

The 3MA who came to the southern African country courtesy of FCC were curtain raised by Malawi’s Ethno-musician Waliko Makhala who played alongside Macfallen Chingwalu and Eric Kangulero.

Makhala said after the show that 3MA played the best music using traditional instruments which were part of preserving culture.

“The three guys are from different countries, use different string instruments and they blended it well,” said the musician further calling on Malawians to appreciate traditional instruments which would help improve the country’s music identity.

Malawian musician have received criticism from the society for copying music from other countries and failing to produce their own identity.

Meanwhile a Mozambican musician, Feliciano dos Santos, is one of this year's winners of the prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize.

A statement from the prize jury, said that dos Santos has been using his musical talents "to spread the message of ecological sanitation in the most remote parts of Mozambique".

The Goldman Environmental Prize, the largest of its kind in the world, was established in 1990 by the philanthropists Richard Goldman and his late wife Rhoda Goldman. The winners are selected by an international jury, from nominations made both by environmental organisations and by individuals.

Each prize-winner will receive 150,000 US dollars. There are six other winners - they include the Ecuadorians Pablo Mendoza and Luis Yanzawho who are fighting against the US oil company Chevron for compensation for oil pollution in a large area of Ecuador, Russian activist Marina Rikhvanoba, who is battling to protect Lake Baikal from industrial pollution, and Ignace Schops who has raised funds to establish Belgium's only national park.