The Sawali Foundation runs the charitable activities within the local communities which surround Toleza, our farm in Malawi. As well as running the farm, Clive and Julia/Mum and dad have for years now been heavily involved with support for the local communities in areas such as education, sport, sustainability, reforestation – this is valuable work close to their hearts.

The Sawali Foundation Initiatives include:

· Scholarships: for students that have qualified to go into secondary education: The students are assessed each term based upon their academic achievements and in conjunction with their respective head masters and faculties. They are required to show diligence with respect to their attitude and studies.

Four fully funded residential scholarships at Bunda College that are focused on agricultural studies and intended to encourage students in the Sawali area to return to their villages and contribute to the development and expansion of agriculture and local farming initiatives.

· Bicycle programme: Students that have to travel long distances get the opportunity to borrow bicycles (there are some 12 of these available). The problem that was encountered was that the long distances from home to the school was undermining performance at school. These bicycles are returned to the farm each term and repaired/maintained.

· Sports: Sporting activities once a prevalent activity in Malawian schools, are now very diminished especially amongst female students. The Sawali Foundation has organised sporting activities centered around inter school football and basketball tournaments. These tournaments are held each year and are supported by qualifying rounds during which team spirit and individual skills are developed where there are sports masters available. The Sawali Foundation also holds a very popular athletics sports day. All sports events suffer from a lack of skilled instructors and sports masters. Support is badly needed at all levels of sports in schools.

· Other projects: In the community and villages around the farm the Sawali Foundation runs reforestation programmes, health clinics, nutrition workshops and land husbandry.