Malawi Diaspora Women In Charity Fundraiser

Despite hot weather conditions on 21st May 2023 , on behalf of the Woman Arise, two Malawian women, Patricia Kulipa and Mary Moyo Kachitsa joined a contingent of 25,000 people who took part in the Great Manchester 10 kilometer run meant for the procurement of Maternity equipment at the Area 25 Clinic.

The initiative is a direct response to the Malawi’s maternal health conditions which faces numerous challenges registering the highest maternal mortality ratios globally currently estimated at 439 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births according to United States AID (USAID) report of 2021.

Apart from getting fit, which is part of the Woman Arise’s Afrofit program, the two women joined the course meant to raise funds to procure learning materials for the less fortunate pupils (orphans) at Thithimila Primary School in the remote area of Lilongwe District and they have so far managed to raised 640 pounds.

The clinic which was experiencing several challenges among those notable being lack of medical equipment and could not provide a conducive environment for expectant mothers has managed to acquire a new labour ward with eight delivery rooms, one emergency room, a nurses’ station, a resuscitation station and some stores.

While Patricia Kulipa Chimangeni run a 10 kilometer distance at the Greater Manchester Run her compatriot in the initiative, Dr Mary Mkandawire initiated a plank challenge which together attracted donations to the tune of £1 400 was used to procure sterilizing drums and other medical equipment for the Area 25 Clinic and part of the funds were also used to procure medical equipment for the maternity wing of St Andrews Hospital of Mtunthama in Kasungu District where the Woman Arise has also earmarked some funds for the procurement of maternity beds.

Thithimila FP School in Lilongwe, Malawi.
In a new project which Woman Arise has undertaken to empower the youths in the country will benefit vulnerable pupils (orphans) at Thithimila Primary School in Kasungu District.

According to National Plan of Action for Vulnerable Children, 2015-2019 Malawi has over 1.8 million orphans and vulnerable children (OVC)s who are rural-based and are mostly at-risk group due to their high levels of poverty and psychosocial instabilities.