Martin's Malawi mission of mercy

Be the first reader to comment on this story.

A PLYMOUTH man is on a life-changing two-week visit to Africa with city-based charity Medic Malawi.

Martin Huggins, from Lower Compton, is in the country helping out in a school as well as filming a DVD highlighting the vital charity work which is already under way.

While in Malawi, the seventh poorest country in the world, Martin is visiting an orphanage and putting his FA coaching badges to good use by teaching youngsters football.

He is also visiting St Andrew's Hospital in the Mtunthama region, which was built using money raised at St Andrew's Church in Royal Parade.

The 38-year-old father of two also hopes to meet Boniface, an orphan whose schooling he has been paying for through sponsorship.
Click here!

Martin, a marketing specialist with Working Links, travelled with eight other volunteers on Saturday.

Speaking before his trip, he said: “My first visit will be to one of the local schools, helping out with some basics.

“At the orphanage a lot of children have HIV and AIDS, which is still one of the biggest killers in that country.

“It will be quite emotional, but I'm very excited – it's the first time I've been out there.

“My room-mate out there will be Richard Struthers, who is a consultant anaesthetist at Derriford Hospital, so he'll be getting involved on a practical basis at the hospital.

“The charity is on an ongoing basis with the hospital; it may be built, but it continues to need funds.”

As well as helping out, the aim of his trip is to produce a DVD that will attract more donations and a high-profile patron. Martin said: “I really wanted to put a positive angle on it. It'll just be four or five minutes long, outlining how Medic Malawi has helped and continues to do so.

“We'll show it to schools, churches and private companies and hopefully this will raise awareness and also help us find a patron, or figurehead, who can really take it on to the next level.”

Medic Malawi was launched in 1997 by Martin's father-in-law Mac Forsyth after he spent six years teaching in the country.

Although the charity is providing vital support for hundreds, broader problems still exist in the country.

Over 200 people die of AIDS every day and life expectancy has dropped to just 36.

Martin added: “Nearly half the children living in Malawi are considered to be chronically malnourished and one in four babies born in Malawi never reach their fifth birthday.

“I want to make a difference and I hope that by recording the positive story we might encourage more people to support the charity.”