Tag Archives: Christmas gifts

Lifestyle

Malawians living in Ireland give 3 orphanages a Christmas Day treat

Maravi Post Reporter

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-A team of ten Malawians living in Ireland on Christmas Day gave a special treat to hundreds of orphans and the elderly being supported by three orphanages selected across the three regions of the country, saying the season is meant to be a moment of celebration for everyone.

The orphanages: Legacy Foundation in Lumbadzi, Lilongwe/Dowa, Courageous Kids Foundation in Blantyre, and Kasoba Orphanage Centre in Karonga each got MK200 000 which was used to buy different food items and beverages that were shared with the beneficiaries.

“Our projected budget was €200 but we managed to source €300 which is equivalent to MK600 000. At the very last minute, a Malawian living in Malawi supported our initiative by donating MK50 000.

“We made it a point even before we started gathering resources that we would reach out to at least an orphanage in the northern, central, and southern regions on Christmas Day. So each orphanage or facility got MK200 000 and the K50 000 went towards logistics for our teams that helped out in Malawi,” said Henry Mkumbira Phiri, team leader of the project.

According to Phiri, who is also chairperson of the Association of Malawians Living in Ireland (AMAI), despite that they are away from home, they feel a sense of belonging and responsibility to reach out to their kindred at home.

Said Phiri: “We are well aware that we left Malawi, but that does not mean that we have abandoned our country and friends and families. Our initiative to remember them on Christmas is just one of the many initiatives we engage back home.”

Legacy Foundation posted on its Facebook page that, “We had a surplus so some community members also joined. Over 100 people had a Christmas lunch. Many thanks to our supporters”.

Business

PCL cheers the elderly with Christmas gifts in Mpemba

Maravi Post Reporter

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-Conglomerate Press Corporation Plc (PCL) on Friday gave an early Christmas gift to the elderly in Mpemba, Blantyre by donating food packs and treating them to a Christmas luncheon.

Speaking during the event at Nthanda Ya Kum’mawa Elderly Trust at Jiya Village, PCL Chief Finance and Administrative Executive Maureen Mbeye said they decided to reach out to the elderly after being approached for help.

“It was at the peak of the Cyclone Freddy disaster when Mrs. Uko approached us to give a hand to the elderly here, but since we were also involved in helping other Cyclone Freddy survivors at the time, we could not help. But she kept checking with us and since this is Christmas time, we thought we should squeeze whatever we had in our budget to come and cheer the elderly here.”

“The festive season is a time to give. To be here and share with the elderly gives us so much joy that they will, at least, celebrate Christmas with love and care,” said Mbeye.

Executive Director of the Nthanda Ya Kummawa Elderly Trust Anna Kuloya-Uko thanked PCL for reaching out to the elderly, especially during the festive time.

“We started helping the elderly in this area in 2009 with 111 elder people and vulnerable people, especially those with albinism. We have a women’s group that takes care of the elderly and also coordinates some self-sustaining activities for the group and its beneficiaries.”

“Today, we want to thank PCL for these donations and the Christmas lunch, the elderly and the vulnerable people will especially celebrate this Christmas because of your donations,” said Kuloya-Uko.

The items that were presented include maize flour, rice, sugar, salt, cooking oil and other necessities.