Apologies are due for the long delay in the production of this newsletter. I’m sure that those of you who are aware of the death of our Director will understand the reasons for this. We are delighted that three infants have been adopted to Malawian Families in the last six months. We currently have 52 sub 5 year olds in the Main Home and four in Rose’s House. We are very fortunate to have acquired the second of our phase 3 houses, which will be known as “Richmond House”, after the school in Leeds that raised the £15,000 required. Four girls from Harrogate House will be moving there before September, we hope! We welcome Mrs Stella Chipangwi, our third matron. This appointment has enabled Mrs Phiri to increase her outreach visits. I’m also extremely pleased to report that the mortality rate at OA has significantly reduced, and in the last 10 months we have lost only two babies. This is a remarkable achieve-ment and testimony to the dedication and expertise of our caring staff and volunteers.
    --Neville

Rosemarie Bevis 1948 - 2006 Director Open Arms 2000 - 2006.
Malita, Mercy, Chikondi and Nelifa are seen here in the new Ford Pickup. $10,000 of the cost was donated by GAIA in the memory of Rosemarie Bevis and the remainder by a donor in the UK. This is the first new vehicle we have had in the last 8 years.

Malawian Adoptions
Baby "Bright" who came to us at two days old was rescued from a pit latrine. At six months he was adopted by Dr's Jane and Mac Malewa (above centre). He's now living in the North of England with his parents. He has joined his sister Sungeni who was also adopted from Open Arms by Jane and Mac. We wish them Luck and look forward to seeing them back in Malawi.
Little Roseby has been with is since she was two weeks old. She's seen here leaving with her foster Mother and Grandmother The Misses Malemero (above left). We hope this will lead to a full adoption in the near future. Good Luck!
Our final baby was leagally adopted by Veronica and Bonus Makanani. Veronica has been a volunteer with us for the last five years. Bonus is an obstetrician at QECH and they are all seen here (above right) with Jemima. We wish all three babies and their familier the very best that the future can offer them. Adoption is not a common practice in Malawi, so we are particullarly thrilled about these success stories.

Richmond House
Those Children who, for whatever reason, cannot go back to the community are placed in a foster home managed by Open Arms. Our second home, seen here, has just been purchased by the UK Trust. Malita, Chikondi, Nelifa and Mercy will be moving here shortly with their new foster parents. They will attend a good private school nearby. Our aim is that they should remain with their foster parents for the rest of their lives.
Mrs Phiri is seen here attempting to attach the Richmond House nameplate.

Stella Chipangwi
Stella joined us six months ago as an Assistant Matron. With more than fifteen years experience nursing in Malawi's hospitals, she is making a most welcome contribution.

"Auntie Mary"
Mary Tchapoya died October 2006. Auntie Mary Tchapoya as she was known to the children of Harrogate House and Roses's House passed away after a long battle with TB. Her small nephew, Gift, who was in her care is now with is in Open Arms.

A House for Pempero
Christabel England has been a regular volunteer and supporter of Open Arms. She is seen here with her "adopted" son Pempero and his father. She and her husband Derrick have made funds available for Pempero and his extended family to own and occupy a decent and relatively substantial house. The England's have also provided funds so that Pempero and his sister can receive as good an education as is available in the Lower Shire Valley. We are looking forwars to seeing Derrick and Christabel this September.

Time to go home
After two years and a very precarious start to their lives, twins Susan and Sheila were happily reunited with their extended family in Balaka, 100 miles away. There are seen here (above left) with their grandmother on departure. Chitsanzo seen here (above right) in his favourite cap is pictured with his grandmother on his first day back in the village of Kunthumbwe, a difficult place to reach in the rainy season. Everybody's favourite, this dear little boy has been visited on five occasions and is reportedly doing very well.

Fresh water comes to Namalo
At a recent coffee morning the constituents of Karen Gillon (Member of Scottish Parliament) raised £1600 to help provide a permanent freshwater source to the residents of Namalo village, 25km's from Blantyre.
This latest development has added to the nursery school, feeding station, new primary classroom block and traditional birthing clinic already provided by the outreach wing of Open Arms. The borehole was drilled by a company called NITMOI (Necessity is the mother of invention!!). The owner of the company Mr Purmessur completed the work at cost. We hope to use his company again. We are very grateful to him.