Open Arms Mangochi

Open Arms Mangochi was the long awaited Vision of the late Rosemarie Bevis. When fire destroyed the Infant Department of Malawi Children’s Village in Mangochi the ideal opportunity for a second home materialized.

In common with the Aims of the Main Home in Blantyre, Open Arms Mangochi is responsible for the care of orphaned and vulnerable new born babies and toddlers. It is a purpose built facility with the capacity for 50 infants, and has been in operation since January. It already has 30 infants in residential care. At two years old, those children that can will be placed within their extended family, and their progress monitored by the Home’s Outreach Team.

Management staff and children would very much like to thank DePuy UK who provided the £100,000 required to facilitate the construction of the state of the art facility.

The Harrogate Advertiser Appeal raised £12,500 making a major contribution to finishing and completing the Home. Other donors have added a water pump and reservoir system and an auxiliary generator.

Open Arms was extremely fortunate to have been identified by DePuy UK (a subsidiary of Johnson and Johnson International) as a charitable organisation that might satisfy their quest for a partner in the Developing World. They already financed the construction of two nursery schools and feeding stations in and around Blantyre, administered by Open Arms, and the larger project of a brand new infant home seemed to be just what they needed.

Chris Norman, the Managing Director of DePuy UK, flew out to Malawi and after meetings with OA and MCV guaranteed the provision of £100,000 (GBP) required to build a state-of-the-art facility that has grown into Open Arms Mangochi. Through the Harrogate Advertiser appeal over £12,500(GBP) were raised, which has made a major contribution to the finishing and completion of the Home. Other donors have added a water pumping and reservoir system and auxiliary electricity generator.

The Inauguration was on the 31st of October. Choirs and traditional dances from both Open Arms and MCV put on vivacious and colourful displays. Local drummers and an AIDS awareness group added their excitement to the entertainment. Four local Chiefs headed by Chief Mtonda from surrounding villages were present and made speeches from Chris Norman who contrasted man’s concern and carbon Footprint with what he described as man’s Compassion Footprint. Speeches from Neville Bevis, as well as Mr Sibale, the Director of Malawi Children’s village completed the formal part of the proceedings.

Also in attendance were six visitors from Harrogate, namely Christine Summarsell, the Treasurer of Open Arms and her daughter Hannah, Christabel and Derick England, Clive Wilson and Claire Cave, all of whom have made significant contributions to Open Arms. Next year Open Arms looks forward to receiving expeditions from Ashville College and Leeds Grammar School, both of whom will be making significant donations to the running of the two Homes.

In common with the aims of the Main Home in Blantyre, Open Arms Mangochi will be responsible for the care of orphaned and vulnerable new born babies and toddlers. At two years old, those children that can be will be replaced within their extended family, and their progress monitored by the Home’s Outreach Team. In December the home will open its doors for up to 40 babies. The management staff and children would like very much to thank DePuy UK and the generous people of Harrogate and Leeds for their continued invaluable support.