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All of us connected with Chifundo UK want to say "Congratulations and Well Done" to Susan Flynn, our Founder and Chairperson of Chifundo UK who has been awarded the Alumni Volunteer of the Year Award 2021 at the University of Manchester.
The Irish Embassy in Malawi have placed an order with Chanasa for 150 fabric tote bags and 150 fabric face coverings. The bags have a pocket which is printed and the face covering embroidered with the Republic of Ireland branding. They are to be used to help celebrate St Patricks Day on March 1
Thanks to The Grace Charitable Trust, a Marketing and Communications Intern has been appointed for 12 months. Her name is Gerida Kalipinde and she starts on 1 March 2021.
This year Fair Trade Fornight is from 22 February to 7 March 2021 with International Women's Day following on Monday 8 March 2021. We are participating in a BAFTS (British Association of Fair Trade Shops) Challenge of making a social media post on a particular theme each day.
Recently the number of cases of COVID-19 in Malawi have increased significantly. This has led to the government closing all schools for 3 weeks from 18 January and putting restrictions on gatherings. Our women's groups are able to continue working as long as they disinfect the rooms every week, work in smaller groups and make sure the handwashing facilites are available at the entrances.
On the 3rd and 4th of December 2020 the Lotus Project started working with Chikanga School, some 36 km outside of Blantyre in Malawi. The school is in a rural area and has a total of 500 boys and girls of all ages from 5 years upwards.
The schools in Malawi have now reopened initially for the highest groups who were taking their exams at the end of September which were delayed from June. Then gradually the remaining students will return.
We have received this video from Malawi showing the delivery of PPE and other supplies to ten (10) health clinics in Blantyre.