2017 is the year I want to do something really truly charitable, instead of just doing the usual monthly direct debit to a charity. (Doing the Readathon to raise money for MS in primary school probably doesn’t count at this stage!)

Johnson and Johnson (my employer) are supporting a group of employees to travel to Malawi to volunteer with Open Arms Malawi in building a nursery school and feeding station in April/May.
J&J volunteers will support the building of a nursery school and feeding station in a village location close to the town of Mangochi on banks of Lake Malawi. Working alongside a team of experienced local builders the team will contribute by building the infrastructure necessary to create an opportunity for local children to gain a basic education.
Being based in a village setting, the project provides volunteers the opportunity to meet and learn about the local community. There’ll also be time to help out at the infant home where around 35 babies and infants are cared for at any one time.

Open Arms Malawi is a charity that provides medical attention, shelter, food and love to some of Malawi’s orphaned and abandoned children. The charity works to ensure that the children in their care have the chance to grow up with the love of a family, the security of a home and an education.

J&J are supporting half our trip but I need to raise £1600 by myself for the other half. If I raise any more than this (fingers crossed!!), the remainder will go directly to Open Arms Malawi.

Time for me to get my hands dirty- your contribution would be greatly appreciated (and I won’t ask for another one for many years!) I will share my experiences on the flipside!