Donations Delivered in Malawi and Exploring the Culture

Ilona had a visit to the Child Legacy programme in Malawi, arriving with a donation from the Hungarian Africa Society (AHU): she handed over 300 pairs of glasses to the ophthalmology department. AHU has been active in Malawi, alongside several other African countries, for many years. In just under eight years, the Society has carried out 16 successful medical missions across Africa. The 17th mission is set to depart in a month – this time, to Malawi again.

Our colleague also met up with one of our Association's long-time friends – none other than Miss Malawi herself. Cecilia Khofi, the country's beauty queen, has been following our African work with great interest for some time and has expressed a clear intention to collaborate on various joint projects in the near future. Ilona accompanied her to a photo shoot in the capital, Lilongwe, and the two later travelled together to visit the Child Legacy site nearby.

The Child Legacy programme has been operating in Malawi since 2008. It is essentially a multi-purpose complex, centred around a hospital which houses departments for maternity, ophthalmology, and general medical care. In addition, the institution functions as a training and demonstration centre, where practical (mostly agricultural) training and workshops are offered to local farmers and educational sessions on infant care are provided for expectant mothers.

A particularly noteworthy aspect of the institution is its complete self-sufficiency: it generates its own electricity and produces its own food in accordance with organic farming principles. The entire agricultural framework behind the food production programme was designed and implemented by our long-time friend Afshan Omar.

After gaining a deeper insight into the work of the Child Legacy programme, Ilona and her companions took a trip to Lake Malawi – also known as Lake Nyasa – the second largest lake in Africa.

Over the weekend, Ili was shown around the city of Blantyre by a local teacher named Joel. They also visited Joel's childhood home in the Chirimba district. Here, Ili had the opportunity to sample Malawi's – and indeed much of Southern Africa's – staple dish in a truly authentic setting: shima. This maize flour-based side dish was served, as seen in the photo, with cooked vegetables. Our member also had the chance to chat with local children who, just like their peers back home, are now returning to school.

More updates coming soon!