Malawi, known as the warm heart of Africa, is one of the ten poorest countries in the world. It has a population of around 14 million, with 90% living in rural areas with no running water or sanitation.

Many of these people survive on subsistence farming, and frequently suffer famine when the rain doesn’t arrive, and the crops fail. HIV/AIDS is a major problem, along with malaria, and various other tropical diseases. With no drugs to treat these conditions, mortality is high, and morbidity endemic.

Many families live on annually, what we would earn in a day or two on the minimum wage. In our country we have relative poverty, in Malawi, it’s absolute poverty. It’s not about having the correct trainers; they don’t have money to eat. A small amount of money goes a very long way; every penny counts.

The Graduates Association (GA) is rightly proud of its commitment to helping the poor and marginalised, and it has made a significant contribution, in this role, for the last three decades. It has been holding annual events in aid of special causes for all this time, and because of our strong links with Malawi, the GA has committed itself to fundraising and supporting the Malawi Millennium Project since its inception 18 years ago. To date the GA has raised over £200,000 for Malawi alone, through a variety of dinners, fashion shows, political debates etc.

On Wednesday 28th November 2018, 7.30pm, the GA is holding its 12th fashion show, Malawi Malady. In particular we have pledged support to helping Malawians, afflicted by the biblical scourge, leprosy, and those who suffer persecution because they are albinos. The proceeds of the raffle and auction will be donated to these very worthy, and frequently neglected, causes.

Whilst serious in purpose, nevertheless, the fashion show will be a fun event on the night with a spectacular finale. To be held in the magnificent Sherbrooke-Mosspark Church, 240 Nithsdale Rd, and showing high-end fashions through all age groups, we expect a wide ranging audience of more than 450, as the show is well promoted.

Our celebrity compères for the evening will be the actor, writer and producer, Mr Dave Anderson, and former STV presenter Ms Liz Kristiansen, and we also have one or two special models.

The wonderfully talented young baritone Daniel Barrett, The Scottish Rockettes, Dr Armaan Wallia, and Murryn Reidford will provide the entertainment.

For tickets, £16, contact rosemary.harley@outlook.com or 07971473176.