Thornbury-Clarksburg Rotary Projects
Preschool emergency feeding program -- Malawi
Through a chance after-church encounter between a T-C Rotarian and a proud and interested grandparent, Thornbury-Clarksburg Rotary became aware of the work being done by a young Canadian in Malawi.
In addition to the projects that were the focus of her stay, Jessica Anderson had become concerned about the welfare of the students of the village in which she lived. She was hoping that her family and friends at home could help with small donations that would allow Jessica to "do some good" in her adopted village.
What ensued was a great example of having the right people in the right place at the right time. Because of the urgency of the situation, 3 separate "passings of the hat" at T-C Rotary meetings produced personal donations of hundreds of dollars which were sent to Jessica. With the money, she was able to provide school supplies and other improvements at the village school. As Jessica prepared to leave Malawi, she put the Rotary Club in touch with her friend, Amy Clancy, another young Canadian working in Malawi. Amy was working for WUSC (World University Service Canada).
Subsequent correspondence with Amy indicated the serious drought that Malawi was suffering had produced crop failures that were about to impact seriously on the people. In particular jeopardy were the preschool aged children. Thornbury-Clarksburg Rotary unanimously approved a donation of over $7000 to help Amy pay for and put in place an emergency feeding program for 21 preschools in that district of Malawi. The program lasted for a 10 month period, with the hope that the drought would eventually pass and no further crop failures would follow.
Overall, the Malawi project proved the importance of good people doing good works, but also demonstrated the power and efficiency of the Internet, which allowed Rotarians in Thornbury and Clarksburg to keep in touch with 2 dynamic young Canadians at work in Malawi. The effective and powerful communication between the 2 sides was the key to the project's success.
Katete Nursery School
The children of the Katete Nursery School pose for a picture as the week’s maize and porridge supplies arrive. Katete is one of the poorer villages — note the children’s rudimentary school structure behind them.
Msondodzi Nursery School
A lesson proceeds for the children of this preschool. Note the bag of maize/porridge by the blackboard. Although the conditions are primitive, it is heartening to know the children were being better fed.
Chekwete Nursery School
Ever polite and courteous, the children and their teachers always appreciated the food supplies. With the help of community volunteers, the teachers were able to feed the preschool children every morning, guaranteeing one good meal each day.
Amy visits T-C Rotary
As her friend Jessica Anderson had done, upon her return to Canada, Amy Clancy came to visit T-C Rotary and shared with us some of her experiences and adventures in Malawi. She is pictured here with the "Malawi Committee" who coordinated efforts at the Canadian end of the project.
