BOARD MEMBERS TO MALAWI
Four members of the Malawi Project Board of Directors; Sheila McDonald, Jim Messenger, Suzi and Dick Stephens, traveled to Malawi in September 2018. Jim’s
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wife Rae Ann Messenger, and Bob and Arla Gabrielse (Mobility Worldwide), were also with the group. When these five returned to the states the Stephens remained behind to host two businessmen/humanitarian men from India, then continued to work there until mid-October.
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ACTION FOR PROGRESS RECOGNITION
Action for Progress, is a not-for-profit, Malawi organization that will serve as the hands and feet of the Malawi Project within the country. Its board of directors is made up of professionals in business, finance,
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humanitarian assistance, and the Malawi medical establishment. In early September they received Malawi government recognition as a not-for-profit organization and were ready to receive the first 40-foot container of mobility units, hand tools, and gloves for medical professionals and first responders. Members of the American team were able to witness the first official board meeting of Action for Progress and were impressed with the knowledge base and professional approach the Malawi board reflected in their approach to the development of the organization. (Pictures is Chester Kabinda-Mbewe, Board Chair for Action for Progress, looking over a possible land site.)
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LAND PURCHASED FOR HEADQUARTERS
Within days of receiving government recognition the Action for Progress board, with support and input from the Malawi Project, reviewed, selected for consideration, and rejected a number of potential sites for their national
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warehouse and distribution hub outside the capital city of Lilongwe. A 5-acre site, west of the capital near the first International Airport was selected. With funding assistance from the Malawi Project the site was secured. The landowner agreed to the proposed price, government and local tribal authority gave their official blessings to the purchase and Action for Progress was ready for the next step in their development. (Pictured is payment being made and documents exchanged for Action for Progress land.)
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PLANS DRAWN FOR DISTRIBUTION HUB
Within days of the finalization of the land purchase Action for Progress contracted a design architect to prepare plans for the warehouse/distribution hub in order
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to stage and distribute the millions of dollars in aid coming in through Malawi Project supporters. For the Americans who are more accustomed to taking several months to reach this stage, the speed at which the Malawians have moved forward on this project has been both breathtaking, and refreshing.
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CONSTRUCTION OF WAREHOUSE HUB NEARS
In the closing days of 2018 five contractors submitted cost estimates based on the supply checklist, and labor needed to carry out the construction of the
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warehouse/headquarters building. In coming weeks Action for Progress will determine the winning bid, and even though Malawi is experiencing the rainy season, plans call for construction to move forward. The speed at which the Action for Progress board of directors, and Wilson Tembo, Executive Director for AfP has come as a surprise in the states, and the participants on the Malawi side are moving ahead of the Malawi Project’s board and supporters in the U.S. This brings to the forefront the need for additional funds so this project can continue its progress unimpeded.
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HELP US OVER THE TOP
Your assistance is needed in order to reach the total funding required for this critical project. Funding totals, and commitments, are over halfway to the goal. A year-end contribution from you can have the potential of helping to reach the needed funding level, just as construction begins on the building. Please consider helping the Malawi Project and Action for Progress to reach this historic, milestone goal.
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Automatic Contributions
Now Available
Indianapolis, Indiana … For those who wish to make monthly contributions to the Malawi Project through automatic deduction, this service is now available on the Malawi Project web site. Simply go to www.malawiproject.org/contribute and click on the PayPal site. Just below the contribution amount, click the box for making this a monthly contribution.
Your monthly support is deeply needed as the opportunities continue to grow for helping the people of Malawi to get on their feet and provide for their future.
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Send Contributions To:
There are three options to support the Malawi Project: Pay Pal, Acceptive or by check. Please click on an option below, or mail your check to:
Malawi Project Inc.
3314 Van Tassel Drive
Indianapolis, IN 46240-3555
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