About us...

Project Partners

Expand

The Build Malawi Project is now under a new charity called 'Expand'. We are waiting for our official registration to come through from HMRC so we can be entitled to Gift Aid and other charity benefits. We have a charity bank account set up for Expand and can receive cheque donations (see our 'Donations' page) or online donations via our JustGiving page here.

Expand aims to alleviate poverty or financial hardship anywhere in the world by providing or assisting in the provision of education, training projects, including building institutions such as schools that will help individuals and communities develop a sustainable income and be self sufficient.

ABC

ABC LogoThe project's official partners from 2006-2009 (during construction) were Action for the Benefit of Children (ABC) which is a UK and Malawian charity that focuses on alleviating poverty in the world's poorest countries. They are currently operating in Malawi only and focus primarily on children’s health and education. ABC's official website is at www.malawiabc.org and will be updated very soon. If you wish to contact ABC directly, then you can email Zaheer Kharodia in the UK at info@malawiabc.org.

 

The Project team...


TANYA CLARKE - Project manager (UK & Malawi)
Tanya Clarke'I went to Malawi for the first time in 2006 to help my cousin give away footballs and netballs in The Great Football Giveaway. I immediately fell in love with the children and the country and vowed to go back with a project of my own. Thus, 'Build Malawi' was born! It really is the warm heart of Africa!'

Get in contact with Tanya at tanya@xpand.org.uk


KONDWANI "HAPPY" NYONDO - Community Relations (Malawi)
HappyHappy, as he is known, met Tanya in 2006 and both make an excellent team on the ground. He has helped ABC enormously with its community relations and unsurprisingly, they all love him!



ALICE BOFF - Fundraising (UK)
Alice BoffAlice also went to Malawi in 2006 with Tanya and has been involved in keeping the UK up to speed with the project.



GUY SLADE - Fundraising (UK)
Guy SladeGuy is helping with fundraising in the UK and the administration side of things.




ANGUS KERR - Events coordinator (UK)
Angus KerrAngus is with us to help with our events and fundraising in the UK.







Thankyou

Thanks to the volunteers who came out during Phase 1!!! These are Simon Tanner and Maggy Keet.

Simon TannerSimon came out for two weeks in the early stages and helped map the area of Chisala and the surrounding villages. This has greatly benefited both the school and clinic, since they can estimate proper numbers using the clinical facilities and also know the local catchment area for the school. It has been a valuable tool for them and has also helped clarify considerable local boundary problems.

Maggy KeetMaggy came out for two months and together with Annie Carisma, a Peace Corps volunteer living in Chisala, were given a project to create the school playground. The playground has a make shift see-saw and swing set, with tires kindly donated by Kawalazi Tea Estate. They also built a small theatre/shelter and we anticipate that it will be used for many activities, primarily by the Chisala Youth group for their plays. Thanks to both for embarking on these worthy projects!

A big thank you also goes out to Bob Wilson and Mike Ford, who helped us right from the start by providing very sound building advice. Mike drew up and donated the plans for the school buildings too and we really appreciate this generous effort (see www.geodesum.com).

Howard Brewer was our fantastic volunteer in the Second Phase and as a builder by trade he came in very handy! He upgraded the playground started by previous volunteers, Maggy & Annie, and built in seats to the theatre that now acts as an assembly hall. He also helped build the library and oversaw the builders, which is no easy job! He worked with two HIV groups in the village, helping them set up chicken farms for meat and eggs. He's been great fun and a big help, so thanks H!

Brendan CostelloeCharlotte MclaughlinBrendan Costelloe came and helped out for a couple of months on the site and Charlotte Mclaughlin came out for a couple of weeks. Thanks to these good friends for contributing so much to the project!



The Great Football Giveaway (GFG)

Build Malawi came about as a spin off the Great Football Giveaway, where Tanya personally went to help distribute thousands of footballs and netballs to the kids all over Malawi. It couldn't really go wrong! Paul & Sarah Clarke started off in Malawi and then proceeded to Angola in 2007. The next trip will be to Uganda and it is a very worthy cause to support, especially for you sport fiends.

Check out their website at www.thegreatfootballgiveaway.org.uk for more information!


Volunteers & Fundraising

We are always looking for people to get actively involved in fundraising in the UK. If you’re interested then contact us at buildmalawi@hotmail.co.uk - we love receiving input and ideas!

If you are interested in coming out to Malawi, then please contact Tanya at the above address.