...Outreach!
The outreach programme was started because of the importance of following up the progress of returnees.
Clinics are now held by Mrs Phiri in the outlying village clusters to where the children have returned. If the children are found to be unwell, or malnourished, arrangements are made to return them to town or a hospital if necessary (occasionally this has also meant a return visit to Open Arms).
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The programme has been extended considerably over the past two years to provide support for the grandparents and/or relatives who have assumed responsibility for the returned child. This may involve supplying 50kg of maize and similar amounts of Likuni Phala (nutritious infant porridge) each month – though particularly during the 'hunger months' December to March.
Being fed by our trained teacher - Mrs. Mombo
There is an annual programme of supplying “starter packs” to Grandparents.
A pack consists of 3kgs of maize seed, 7 kgs of fertilizer and 7 kgs of urea. Up to 10 x 50 kgs of maize have been produced from one of these packs.
In some cases the outreach programme looks beyond the family unit and into the village systems, helping them to become more food secure. In some rural areas this has assisted in the setting up of nursery schools, using funds and labour from visiting schools in the States and UK to build new classrooms. It has also included the setting up of a traditional birthing clinic in one of our locations.
This programme however, costs money to run, requiring good four by four vehicles (donated in the past by Rotary International and the British High Commission) both of whom supplied us with good second vehicles. Our miles tone has been the recent provision of a brand new four wheel drive pick up truck provided by the Global AIDS Interfaith Alliance and the UK Board.
Clinics are now held by Mrs Phiri in the outlying village clusters to where the children have returned. If the children are found to be unwell, or malnourished, arrangements are made to return them to town or a hospital if necessary (occasionally this has also meant a return visit to Open Arms).
The programme has been extended considerably over the past two years to provide support for the grandparents and/or relatives who have assumed responsibility for the returned child. This may involve supplying 50kg of maize and similar amounts of Likuni Phala (nutritious infant porridge) each month – though particularly during the 'hunger months' December to March.
Being fed by our trained teacher - Mrs. Mombo
There is an annual programme of supplying “starter packs” to Grandparents.
A pack consists of 3kgs of maize seed, 7 kgs of fertilizer and 7 kgs of urea. Up to 10 x 50 kgs of maize have been produced from one of these packs.
In some cases the outreach programme looks beyond the family unit and into the village systems, helping them to become more food secure. In some rural areas this has assisted in the setting up of nursery schools, using funds and labour from visiting schools in the States and UK to build new classrooms. It has also included the setting up of a traditional birthing clinic in one of our locations.
This programme however, costs money to run, requiring good four by four vehicles (donated in the past by Rotary International and the British High Commission) both of whom supplied us with good second vehicles. Our miles tone has been the recent provision of a brand new four wheel drive pick up truck provided by the Global AIDS Interfaith Alliance and the UK Board.
