Water & Sanitation Three new boreholes read more. . . Education and Recreation An extra lady teacher. . .read more Nutrition and Food malnutrition has decreased read more. . . Farming and Gardens harvested the maize read more. . .

Health and Disability Health screening read more. . . Construction and Roads Refurbish classrooms read more. . . Enterprise and Employment Constructed a pig khola read more. . . Energy General living conditions read more. . .

Report-May 2010 Fundraising afternoon at French Corner. We take our local band that incorporates two people with disabilities; a blind percussionist and wheel chair bound guitarist. The band play very well using local made instruments (including guitars made from old tin containers and percussion made from anything that makes a different noise when you hit it!!). The turnout is not that great but people donate some good articles of clothing and 45kg of children’s blankets that should benefit the disabled community. read more. . . Look at more new pictures in Report-April 2010 The UNICEF Director had many very kind words to say about the role of Chimteka Children Support and asked me to stand while he offered his personal thanks, to Ireland!! He also mentioned that people are talking about Chimteka in the UN headquarters in New York!!! I thought Francis’s head was going to explode read more. . .

Report-February 2010, John Harrison
• Had a great weekend meeting the other VMM volunteers at the Billy Riordan Trust at Cape Maclear. Also met Mags Riordan (founder), which was brilliant as we were able to discuss prospective linkages between projects (especially health) and she offered to try and assist us with some of her contacts; most notably Marys Meals. Will definitely return!!!

• Evelyne and Dr Gabbi organised a workshop about fever, which was timely as the number of people suffering and dying from malarial fever is increasing by the day. Gabbi, often overcome by the distress of some of the disabled, makes a donation of mosquito nets.

• Discuss with PODCAM the possibilities of starting a small scale pig Income Generating Activity (IGA). They will construct the pig house (using local materials) and organise feeding etc and we could buy 5 local pigs. The feed etc will be available locally and once the pig’s breed they will be distributed amongst group members (seen similar programs in Kenya).

• People often die of malaria as they do not reach hospital in time. There are many reasons; lack of transport being major. There is one ambulance to take patients from Chiosya to Mchinji hospital. Motorcycle ambulances would appear to be a good idea to transport disparate villagers to Chiosya. However, the motorcycles have proven unreliable with major discomfort for serious ill/maternal patients leading to a number of reported fatalities. This may be partly blamed on poor roads. To be progressed.

• The DHO Dr Owen and I discussed the possibility of having village based health facilities, where people could either come for treatment or referral to the clinic/hospital or work on awareness issues. This facility would require a Health Service Assistant, HSA, who would also communicate with villagers and co-ordinate transport for the sick. A room in the Community Hall may be used to place the first of these facilities.

• Builders are making good progress with school repairs and have patched the holes in the wall of four classrooms and begun whitewashing.

• Preparations have begun for implementation of tree planting program in partnership with Sustainable Global Gardens.

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Report-January 2010, John Harrison
• Chimteka Full Primary school has some classroom blocks in need of renovations. It is the largest School within the 21 villages and is looking rather neglected.

• Discussion with the District Health Officer (DHO) regarding the Chiosya Health Centre and it’s future renovations.

• Irene and two of her colleagues conducted two strategic planning workshops in the Community Hall to evaluate what ongoing work can be done by the Community based Organization (CBO) before calling on outside assistance.

• Chimteka has been chosen to host a visit of the Vice President of Malawi, Joyce Banda, on 4th February. She will be undertaking a full morning’s filming for UNICEF and media campaigns. It is a great honor to have her visit Chimteka and we are expecting well over 50 cars, 100’s of dignitaries and 1000’s of spectators.

• Evelyne continues workshops to fit disabled people for wheelchairs. Every week of the rainy season, the number of disabled children suffering from malnutrition increases and the numbers dying is also going up. We need to work on programs specifically for the disabled as they are most vulnerable

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