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Emma Duncan’s visit to Malawi
In August, myself, as Malawi Project Manager, and Ayesha Christie (India Project Manager) went to Malawi on the new project’s first monitoring and evaluation visit. The first stop was to MACOHA, who have established new carpentry and tailoring training programmes in Nkhotakota. Previously no opportunities for adults with disabilities to access vocational training had existed in this district. Trainees are attached to local trainers, who pass on not only technical skills, but also the know-how to be able to start up successful businesses. Cleanwell, the carpentry trainer, told us how pleased he was with the quality of the tools sent, as similar projects he has worked on in the past have failed due to poor quality tools. Whilst the training has only been going for six weeks, the level of skill displayed by trainees was impressive. Already trainees had been able to sell goods made, to be able to buy more materials. All trainees expressed a real determination to be able to make successful businesses when they finish, and one carpenter said he was so happy to be a part of the programme, “he could danceâ€!
The second visit was to KODO, in Salima; a much smaller organisation than MACOHA which is run by George Chimpiko. George was born with club feet, and has dedicated his life to improving the quality of living for as many disabled people in Malawi as he can. He recently received 100 wheelchairs from Zambia, which have quickly been distributed to school-going children across Malawi. Again, trainees in our programme here will receive vocational training, business training, AIDS, reproductive health and gender awareness training, start up tools and some start up materials. They will also receive post-training support to maximise their chances of starting successful businesses at home. The group of trainees at KODO also expressed high hopes for how their lives would be changed, not just materially, but in the eyes of their communities. Ayesha and I were privileged to meet the first lot of trainees in this programme, for whom life has been hard. We look forward to being able to meet these same trainees next year in their homes, to be able to see the real impact of the project. An unexpected early outcome of the training however, was the sense of community between trainees, many of whom have led isolated lives, and who have, through this experience, gained new friends and family.
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Global Concerns India
"Celebrating being a girl"
Brinda Adige, Director of Global Concerns India, visited the UK in May 2013. She gave a talk on the Women’s Transformative Leadership project to civil servants at the Scottish Government, and met with Humza Yousaf MSP, the Minister for External Affairs and International Development, before delivering the keynote speech at our ‘Global Gathering’ event.
Back in India, GCI has embarked on forming a youth leadership group made up of girls aged between 12 and 19 years, with the aim of building confidence and courage, and improving communication and leadership skills. The group meets once a month to discuss and debate gender equality, children's rights, the rituals and customs that subjugate girls and women, and how both girls and boys must be responsible persons, respecting each other and shunning any form of violence.
GCI has also launched a girls’ activity programme, starting with rock-climbing sessions. These activities challenge the stereotype that “good girls†do not climb trees, rocks, or mountains; must walk with their heads down, and should not wear clothing that might provoke men or boys. The girls greatly enjoyed the rock-climbing, and continue to “celebrate being a girlâ€.
Read more at the Global Concerns Leadership Dialogue Project.
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Humble Generation, Kenya
Humble Generation, in Kenya, work with street children living in Mombasa. Founded by a former street child, Mkono Samson, they strive to create an environment in which street children and youths can lead healthier, happier and more fulfilling lives. Humble Generation have been successful in gaining a high level of trust with street children in Mombasa, and have enabled street dwellers to gain access to healthcare, and made links with drug rehabilitation projects. They have encouraged the local art community to get involved, holding art projects and drama productions for street children. As a result of his work so far, Mkono has been awarded the Kenyan Presidential Gold Award. Humble Generation’s next aim is to establish a drop-in and rehabilitation centre for street children and youth. The Global Concerns Trust has recently provided funds to enable a part-time worker to progress with developing Humble Generation’s drop-in centre.
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‘Global Gathering’ 2013
Our event this May, with key speaker Brinda Adige, Director of Global Concerns India, was a sell-out success! Old St Paul’s Church Hall in Edinburgh was transformed for the evening, as friends and supporters gathered to hear about our projects in India, Malawi, and Kenya, whilst enjoying a home-cooked Asian dinner, African music and storytelling, and our prize-loaded raffle. Thank you to everyone who came, and also to those who made donations. We raised a total of £2,213, which has been put towards the construction of the Children’s Creativity Centre in Bangalore, and our work with Humble Generation in Kenya!
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Charity music gig
Global Concerns extends a big thank-you to Pete Larkin, who arranged and sang at a gig in La Bodega Tapas Bar, Glasgow, on Saturday 3 August 2013.
It was a great night, with impromptu musicians joining in to play a couple of sets! A total of £325 was raised for our projects in India.
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Donate
Global Concerns appreciates all donations, small or large, which are sent directly to our projects in India, Malawi or Kenya. As our project overheads are low, a small amount of money can have a big impact. The next time you do a sponsored activity, please think of fundraising for The Global Concerns Trust!
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