Thanks for visiting my page. I wonder if you’d like to contribute to a good cause I care about?

Isabel and I lived in Malawi 1996-98 with 2 small children, me doctoring and Isabel being an anthropologist. We’ve kept in touch with a few families we knew, and support a community close to where we lived. Usisya is a group of remote villages (pop 55000) in the mountainous district of Nkhata Bay North on the shores of Lake Malawi. The only link to the rest of the country is a vertiginous dirt road impassable in the rains, and the weekly visit of the rickety 1930s lake steamer. This video shows the road and terrain: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tc8MD51XzQk

Temwa is a Malawi and Bristol-based charity that works specifically in Usisya district. Malawi project director Kondwani Botha and his team of local people hear from the community about their needs and priorities, such as girls completing primary school (in rural areas most leave after a year or two), getting running water to health posts, providing water filters against cholera, replanting trees, and encouraging sustainable agriculture. Temwa works alongside local people, implementing plans to address their priorities. I’ve seen Temwa’s impressive and detailed outcome data, for instance 1.5million trees planted and 80% girls completing primary school last year.

Terrain and road conditions take a heavy toll on vehicles: even rugged 4x4 workhorse pickups have a limited life span. Earlier this year Temwa’s old one finally broke down irreparably. I want to provide a replacement before the rainy season in October.

So… I’m trying to raise £20,000 to import a reconditioned Toyota pickup. Friends and I will do a fundraising concert Fri 30th June 7.30pm at St Matthews Church Bristol, BS6 5TB. I'd love to see you there. Raising an amount like this will need many generous online donations too... you don't need to come to the concert!

There’s so much need out there and you're already supporting important causes. But I know that getting this pickup truck will have an immediate impact… hence my appeal to you already committed people!

Thanks for reading.

Hugh