Sale – FOMO Charity Event

Starts 11am to 3pm

St Andrews’s Hall, Longton, Preston

Everyone Welcome

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FOMOShop …………….

supporting Friends of Mulanje Orphans (FOMO)

www.fomo.co.uk         Charity No 1090727

FOMO is moving away from Justgiving due to the high monthly fees. Fees have risen from £15 to £18 and the monthly fee is now over £48 + the 5% fee on donations.

FOMO has moved to Mydonate run by BT and offers the same facilities as for donations and event pages, but there is no monthly charge.

• Mydonate  Click Here

Have fun with your events and make a difference.

Late last year we, after only a few months of construction, were delighted to finish the new science block. The block consists of three science rooms each dedicated to its own discipline, (Physical Science, Biology and Agricultural science). Each classroom has its own secure store and can hold up to 50 students. In addition we also added an activity room for the students. This room is used for the many school clubs and is also a big hit with the teachers as it is both light and airy.

Late December we finally were able to purchase lab desks and stools, (Thanks to S & K Engineering, Blantyre for completing the order in record time) and as I pen this note the classrooms are in full use on a daily basis, freeing up our original lab to be used as a normal classroom. We still have many funding challenges in front of us and they include:

• Additional Lab Equipment: Test tubes, stands, Tripods, dishes, microscopes etc.
• Lab sinks
• Text books: Malawi is moving to a new syllabus and exam structure and therefore we need to buy the new curriculum books for the children, teachers and school library.
• Additional tables and chairs for the activity room, the one we have are designed for primary school children and we need to purchase new tables and chairs to suit our age group.

The school is now almost at full capacity we have only 2 places left out of a maximum intake of 400. The Girls hostel is full with 92 students, but we need funding to build a boys hostel as we have 60 boys who are self boarding, (renting) as it is too far for them to travel home on a daily basis.

If you can possibly help by fund raising or making a donation, we will ensure that money raised will be used in the best way to gain maximum value. Direct Aid at its best

To donate please follow the donate button.

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If you have any questions or need clarification we are here to help. fomouk@hotmail.com

UK Charity No 1090727 Malawi Charity No CONGOMA C159/2003 & NGO/R/05/08

•   FOMO Malawi

FOMO covers all aspects of the children’s welfare including health through our outreach clinic, formal and informal education, food security and production. The programme also covers pre-school, out of school activities and further learning through our play schools, computer, driving and tailoring schools. The programme also covers the provision of school materials, personal items (Soap, clothes, blankets, and mosquito nets) and community much more.

The programme is run by a very small staff with over 300 local volunteers and support workers; our funds are raised by a small, but resourceful volunteer committee in the UK. FOMO provides direct aid and reaches out to many thousands of orphaned and vulnerable children, but we do need a regular source of funding and your personal donations are both valued and appreciated.

FOMO established June 2000 is a registered charity in both the UK & Malawi

This is a list of some of the FOMO’s achievements in 2016, and we would like to say a big thank you to everyone that has contributed to helping the children and trust that you will help us once again in 2017.

2016 Major Achievements

• Identification of over 3,500 children
• Maintained and ran 14 FOMO Centres
• Built New Centre Buildings at FOMO Chole
• Funded and build three science classrooms and one Art room
• Supported all fund raising activities including #runmalawi
• Maintained the children feeding programme, 1.1 million meals a year
• Maintained Health Care to the children most in need
• Operating a day Clinic and Outreach programme
• Operating a HIV treatment centre.
• Assisted patients at the district hospital
• 179 Workers supported by 130 Local Volunteers
• Opened and ran a secondary school – 365 students
• Maintained our links with Intercare (Medicine)
• Maintained our links with Corps Africa
• Ran Activities Songs, Drama, Excursions, Dance, Stories, Sport, Reading Classes
• Ran and Maintained a Maize mill facility
• Ran the driving school
• Funded and filled 1 container
• Provided personal toiletries, shoes, clothes, sport ware and equipment to the children.
• Distributed goods from the container to the centres and children
• Funding 1 students at medical college
• Funded all form 4’s at IT and paid exam fees
• Provided school uniforms, text books, shoes and educational materials
• Installed one, and repaired one Borehole
• Support to all the FOMO registered Primary School Children
• Maintenance and Repair of Buildings
• Ran and Maintained 14 Play Schools
• Ran and Maintained the computer school
• Ran and Maintained the tailoring school
• Ran and Maintained small basic recording studio
• Hosted visitors and oversea volunteers including Bay House School teachers, Italian visitors, Lancaster Grammar school Visitors, Corps Africa volunteers
• Supported FOMO FC in the Malawi southern region football league.
• Supported community football and netball.
• Ran and maintained produce gardens

2017 Major Challenges

Secure Funding for FOMO’s Essential Core Activities:

• Food Programme
• Clinic and Outreach Programme
• Secondary School Places (Fees)
• School Teaching Resources & Equipment
• Activity programme (Sport, Art, Music etc)

Wish List: Funds needed

• Send a Container,
• Build Boys Hostel (Girls Hostel already completed)
• Water Harvesting and Heating Project (5 Centres)
• School Security Wall
• Refurbish Tailoring School
• Refurbish existing FOMO Centres
• Build FOMO Centres at Sazola, Naluwadi, Chinyama, Nessa

Without you none of this could happen. Thank you

Winner of the Beacon Community Builder Award

Direct Aid making the difference

Donating will make a difference

Share to be fair with Direct Aid. Education, Health, Food Security, Sport, Employment and much more

FOMO registered Charity in the UK and Malawi

As the bustle of Christmas fades and the light of the world is passed on, it’s time for pulling up the new socks, (Can’t have enough socks in your life) and thinking about the year to come and years past

2016 full of highs and lows – the needless passing away of friends due to lack of medical resources, Brendan’s epic run through Malawi, opening of the school science block, meeting new people from around the world. The commitments of everyone to help the children have better lives. The cheerful way that young Malawians face adversity, as the country struggles with mayor power cuts, water shortages and lack of infrastructure, (Roads, health care, education and just about everything) placing Malawi as one of the poorest in the world

FOMO has been there, helping through the floods, failed harvest, providing formal and informal education, health care, food security and activities to the children and local community. Its has been a bit of a financial struggle this year, poor exchange rate, (Brexit), Malawi’s inflation running at nearly 30% for basic food, (Around 22% for everything else) but we have refined our operations and made it though with the  hard work and generosity of everyone, we say a big thank you.

Looking forward, the FOMO secondary school, in it’s forth year is making a big impact on the surrounding community with 400 children coming from all over Mulanje district and beyond. Our four major problems to address at the school are funding for a generator, (Due to the constant power cuts) Science block furniture and equipment, building of a boys hostel, (We have sixty students self boarding which is not good for their security or welfare) and due to curriculum changes additional text books. We in 2016 refurbished FOMO Kadawere, but the other 13 centres all need some attention, particularly Chimyana which was swept away in the current storms and really needs a brick building. The clinic is stable, but as with all health units needs constant funding for drugs/supplies to support the children and community.

After school activities include football, netball, art club, drama, photography, choirs, updating mulanjemag.blogspot.co.uk, (online news run by the children) and much more, all need a little help from time to time. FOMO FC raises some funds from the games, but at 22p pp, (Children free) to watch a home game, does not cover its costs, but it’s a start.

As FOMO goes into 2017, the essential work continues, its not glamorous or headline grabbing, but stable and steadily, making that one to one direct difference to over 3,500 children and support staff.  

With your support the work of FOMO will continue as long as we are relevant, we have over the last 16 years helped tens of thousands of children, saved many lives, made a difference in a direct way. There is still much to do, so lets make 2017 the best ever.

God Bless

Keith Woodworth for FOMO

To donate Click Here or try our official PayPal , (click) facility

Use our official email: fomouk@hotmail.com for PayPal

As we travel through time marking calendar dates, anniversaries, religious events, birthdays or just that we woke up to a new day FOMO has many points in time to reflect on. Remembering these times may be not as ones you would first expect, say the day we started, or the opening of a centre, clinic, or school these moments are bright stars or stepping stones and need only a sincere thank you to everyone. What is important is those precious moments, when a child first goes to or graduates from school, that we or someone is on hand to take the sick to hospital, or there is food on the plate for another day, the sound of children happily playing or learning their ABC in a safe caring environment. These are the moments to cherish and remember. There is no need for a big party, but there is time to reflect on the generosity of many, many FOMO volunteers and supporters for their time and donations that make these small, but treasured memories possible, bringing life, joy and hope to thousands of children.

As we quietly slip into 2017, it brings a new dawn and endless possibilities to make a fairer world. It is a traditional to mark the coming of a new year with a resolve to be better in someway.  I, as I said on the first day FOMO started, make no promises, but only to work hard to improve the lives of the children in Malawi. I hope you all will join us to give these children a chance of life and an opportunity to fulfil their lives.

Happy New Year

We have over 3,500 children, many plans and projects that need funding if you can help it may not change the world, but it will make a positive change to the children.

Love to All

Keith, Mary and all the FOMO team

To donate Click Here or try our official PayPal , (click) facility

Use our official email: fomouk@hotmail.com for PayPal

FOMO AGM 17th March, start 7:30 pm at Hutton Village Hall, Moor Lane, PR4 5SE

Everyone Welcome

Time  2-6 pm 

Venue: Lilac Cottage, Dob Lane, Little Hoole, Preston. PR4 4SU

Fund Raising for Friends of Mulanje Orphans

All Welcome

After completing epic #runmalawi, Brendan is on the road again. This time he is running from John O’Groats to Lands End to raise money to build a boys hostel at FOMO secondary school in Malawi.

Support this worthy mission

• Follow Brendan on Twitter @helpfomo35
• Follow Brendan on Instagram @helpfomo35
• You can track Brendan’s progress Click Here (http://z6z.co/brenrunsjogle)
• Follow Brendan at Click Here (www.brendanrendall.com)
• To donate Click Here (https//justgiving.com/helpfomo75)
• Facebook FOMO Malawi

A note from Brendan

I completed running the length of Malawi in July 708 miles in 27 days raising £35,268 which funded the building of the science block for FOMO ‘s secondary school – the building work is now finished and together we have created something incredible – education for the children at FOMO.

So what’s next?  Having cycled John O Groats to Lands End in 2011 it seems fitting, 5 years on, that I should run it and as I was selected as an Ordnance Survey #Getoutside Champion 2016 it will be incredible to see our beautiful country on foot.

The vision is to inspire people to #Getoutside but also to highlight how incredible and diverse the outdoor spaces are in Britain.

The run shall see me start 19th Sept 2016 and I am hoping to finish it by the end of Oct.

I want to enjoy this run fully and I am not adding the pressure of a timescale but instead seeing how I feel as I head south.

Please follow the tracker or any of my social media – everyone is welcome to come and join me run/cycle – so come on everyone! – #Getoutside!

We are please to announce that we have completed the new Science and art block at FOMO’s Secondary school.

Funding was achieved as a result Brendan Rendell’s epic trip thought Malawi. Brendan completed 27 marathons in 27 days, camping at government primary schools along the way.

Though the building is completed, we still need furniture, (desks etc) and school lab and art equipment before the classrooms are fully functioning.

If you can help go to the donate button – Many thanks

For those unaware of #runmalawi, in brief, Brendan Rendall ran in hot, cold, rain and sunshine the full length of Malawi and covered a staggering 708 miles in 27 days. Why? you may well ask. The aim of the run was to raise funds to build and equip a Science and Art block at FOMO’s Secondary School for orphaned and vulnerable children.

To this end, supporters have kindly and generously donated £32,771 of the £35,000 target.

Its time to spread the word, (Share, Share, Share) of this fantastic achievement and dig deep, look under the bed, route around the sofa etc to see if we can help Brendan and FOMO over the £35,000 finishing line for phase one of the project.

To donate Click Here

For more information please contact us on fomouk@hotmail.com

Note: All donations over the target will be used for phase 2: Furniture and lab equipment

#fomo

To All

FOMO’s AGM: Will be held on the 11th March 2016.

• Venue: Hutton Village Hall Moor Lane, Preston PR4 5SE
• Start Time 7:30pm

A general email will be sent to all members in late December as Mary and Keith will be in Malawi during January and February.

The purpose of the AGM is to elect a new committee to serve as trustees of the charity and to give an overview of FOMO’s accounts and activities during 2015.

A chance to chat and meet. Refreshments will be served and all are welcome.

People wishing to serve on the committee, should apply to the secretary, (me) prior to the meeting

Based on GDP, Malawi is now the poorest country in the world but this is only part of the story. Over 80% of Malawians are subsistence farmers, with virtually no cash circulating in the rural areas. Over 90% of the population do not have electricity or running water. To the few that have electricity, since the floods last year it is being rationed to 4 hours in 24 so sometimes it is at night. Life is not getting any easier and FOMO still has a major role in making a difference to the most vulnerable.

FOMO is facing financial  challenges in 2016 which is exacerbated due to the high inflation, (Food 28.3%) in Malawi  the unexpected floods and container costs, FOMO if it is to survive, will need a large injection of cash as we are running at less than one year’s running costs. Everyone has made a very great effort during 2015, with many personal fund raising events, but we will need to keep up the hard work if FOMO is going to make it into 2017.

If you require clarification or further information we are always here to help.

Regards

Keith Woodworth

As festival season of Christmas and New Year Celebrations is drawing near, where in Malawi it is anticipated that accidents in general do increase; the Malawi Blood Transfusion Services (MBTS) has   embarked on blood donation campaign. This is in preparedness of the hospital to make sure that they have enough blood throughout the season.

On Wednesday, 25^th November, the officials from Mulanje District hospital visited Fomo Independent Secondary to sensitize the learners on the need of blood in hospitals, the importance of self sacrificing to donate blood and explained to the learners as to who is eligible to donate blood. Over fifty students volunteered to donate blood.

On the afternoon of Tuesday, First of December was our school’s turn. Forty Five students were ferried to Mulanje hospital where they donated blood, the “gift of Life”.

The school has been involved in the blood donation exercise since its inception. Students need to learn to sacrifice and give back to mother Malawi. They need to always be willing to help their fellow students in needy, the elderly, and the sick among others in the society.

Blood donation is one way through which the spirit of sacrifice is manifested among the learners. The school is grateful to note that the number of those willing to donate blood is ever increasing.

There were many new challenges this year in getting the container away, but with all your tremendous support, freely given, over the last couple of months the container left on the 4th Dec. We would like to say a big thank you to all that contributed, both with goods and financially in making it possible to send a fully packed container.

Container Up-date – Just to let you know we are well on the way to reaching our target for the container and would like to thank everyone that has already contributed, we are still a little short of the full amount and ask you to send this email on to others., so we can hopefully send the container before Christmas. Thank you. Keith and Mary. email fomouk@hotmail.com  or ring Mary on 01772 619409

Click Here or try our new PayPal , (click) facility.

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Other Events – FOMO is holding a ladies fashion show COLOURS on Saturday 28th November at Penwortham Reformed Church, Liverpool Old Road, Penwortham, Preston. PR1  0QB. Starts 7:30pm All Welcome.  50% off high street fashions. Tickets £6 Tel Emma 01772 180 992

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Saturday 5th of December, at Mary’s house – Raising funds for food for the children at Christmas. Open House, Bring and buy, Mince pies and drinks. All welcome. 10am to 4pm. 29 Liverpool Old Road Walmer Bridge Preston PR4 5QA.

Just when you thought things were going, if not well, but OK, out of the blue a new opportunity presents itself.

Those following FOMO over the years will know that each year we send a container full of essential items collected from many individuals around the UK. What they may not know is that a large part of the cost over the last 8 years was donated to us by a shipping company in Manchester, England. Sadly for all involved the shipping company has had to reorganise,  resulting in the closure of the Manchester office. The knock on affect is that they can no longer supply us with a container, which is a bit unfortunate as we have a warehouse full of goods ready to go, but no funds to send them. Add to this the place where we store all the goods before we ship, need their facility back before the end of November, (Glum)

This all looks bleak to say the least, but if you can help in anyway in funding the container and sending these essential goods to the children, please contact me at fomouk@hotmail.com  or ring Mary on 01772 619409

The cost of sending the container from the UK to Malawi is in two parts, £6,800 at the UK end and £1,500 at the Malawi end.  Even a small contribution will help.

A brief glimpse in to FOMO in the last four weeks.

• FOMO Independent Secondary School (FISS)
• New Borehole (with video)
• Pre (Play) School
• Reconstruction
• FOMO Clinic
• Food
• 5th July Fundraising Day
• Sport
• Paperwork
• Distribution of clothes and things from the container

Facebook: Though we have been on facebook for a number of years, I have only now been able to fathom it out, so please check out our FACEBOOK: Fomo Malawi

FOMO Independent Secondary School (FISS) celebrated it first passing out of the form 4’s this year. Like any parent, our expectations are that they will all do well and we wish them all the best for the future. The school is only in its 2nd year of operations and is running just over 50% capacity, but it hoped that over the next two years if funding, allows we will be up to full capacity which is between 400 and 500 students. At the moment we have a girls hostel with a capacity for 88 students, a boys hostel is urgently needed. There are still many challenges ahead, but with your continued support we can give the children a future.

Staff meeting and some of the form ones in class. 

New Borehole at FOMO Mikoko ___________________________________________

Clean water is essential to everyone, so it is with great pleasure that with a kind donation from the Soropitmist’s of St. Helens, UK we were able to fund our 15th borehole. This might seem few over the 15 years we have been operating but to the thousands of people it has helped it  means everything. Enjoy the video as we have the first water coming to the surface. The more we have, the more we can do.

PRE SCHOOL _________________________________________________________

FOMO runs 14 pre (Play) schools, the numbers range from 20 children to 75 children in the schools. The facilities vary considerably from centre to centre, but each school provides food and early learning for the children. In addition we provide clothing and other essentials. The schools are open to all children between 2 and 5 years – but they we do need support to pay for the food – teachers allowances and to provide better facilities such as toys and play grounds, (Swings, slides etc)

I was unable to get around most of the centres due time constraints, but remember though we have buildings a 5 centres, most centers are only simple bamboo constructions some of which were washed away during the floods and reconstruction is tacking place slowly. We still need permanent buildings at 9 centres to act as community centres and house the play schools.

Reconstruction _______________________________________________________

Some of the centre reconstruction was only minor, but essential. At Kadawere FOMO centre the floods damaged the toilets and perimeter wall. Reconstruction was able to go ahead with a kind donation which also allowed us to bring electricity for the first time to the centre with all the advantages that will bring. We have done our bit we are just waiting for ESCOM (Electric Board) to connect us.

When I left the toilet block was almost finished, but look for other updates in the future.

Man down the hole digging the toilet, at the moment he is about 3.5 meters down, only a couple of meters to go then it will be brick lined, a reinforced concrete slab put on top the actual building, see above the almost finished building.

FOMO Clinic __________________________________________________________

The FOMO clinic has been operating for many years and providing services to the FOMO children and to the local community. Late last year the Clinic was registered as an HIV testing centre. Early this year we also became a ARV treatment centre. As part of this on going commitment to the community we are in the process of constructing an ARV treatment and education facility at the clinic. We have staff on training at the moment to deliver the ARV treatment and education. With HIV new cases mostly amongst the young running at 10% of the population there is still a lot to do. The clinic will never make money, but with your support it will save lives.

FOOD _______________________________________________________________

Food security is vital, and FOMO like many others were hit by the floods and missed the main crop of maize, this is a major problem and prices on the open market are expected to rise considerably over the coming months, making starvation a reality. Many including FOMO have planted cassava, but this will not meet the food shortage. FOMO has a small plot 2.5 hectares and are using it to the best advantage, by growing peas, cassava and as pictured chinese cabbage. This small crop helps to supply the school and FOMO centres nearby, but it nowhere near covers the food required to feed the 4,500 children in our care, staples like beans and maize are required in large quantities, 20 tones of maize which lasts about 3 month costs around £5,600, ($9,000). Beans are more expensive per tonne, but we also use less. The floods hit hard, but the media coverage was almost non existent, don’t forget Malawi people in the rural areas are in real trouble.

The long term solution is mechanisation, (Tractors etc) there is only so much that you can cultivate with a hoe and a watering can. We have the capacity and vision to make the change, what we need is the funding.

Girl in the picture, who followed me everywhere, is called Tally and is 3 years old. Hopefully we can give her a better future.

5th July Fundraising Day ________________________________________________

FOMO believes that some income should be generated in Malawi by Malawians. To this end we have a driving school, Maize mill and computer school which generates a little in Malawi. With incomes on less than a £1 a day, the opportunity to raise significant amounts is limited and your individual donations are an essential life line to enable FOMO, work to continue.  We are always trying, and last year we had our first fundraising day at our school in Malawi which was a great success and this year we are to hold another on the 5th July. There will  be all sorts going on games, entertainment, food etc.

The organising committee, drawn from the school, community and FOMO centre committees below is well on its way to finalizing the event. Why don’t you join hands across the world and organise an event for FOMO in July. Remember 100% of your donation (minus bank transfer charges) will go directly to FOMO work in Malawi. The UK trustees are not paid, but true volunteers – make 100 % of your efforts and donations count by supporting FOMO community care programme.

Sport ________________________________________________________________

FOMO believes that man/women does not live by bread alone and tries to help the children’s individual passions, be it art, music, drama, choirs, educational trips or sport

FOMO when it can will help to develop their interests. Like so many places sport brings people together to have some fun even for a brief break from the task of surviving the daily needs. FOMO over the years has developed and resourced many activities, football and netball being at the top of the children’s lists of fun things to do.

FOMO has at least one team in each centre, a team that plays in the school league and FOMO first team that plays in the southern region football league. We run a sports bonanza twice a year, all teams are welcome and we normally have around 50 teams both football and netball joining the two day events. FOMO with the local communities help provide training after school 4 days a week.

The under fourteens and FOMO’s Senior team both play weekly. In the past we have done very well winning or being in the final of both the local and southern region leagues.

FOMO can’t justify purchasing its own kit when people are so desperately in need of the basics, but many people have helped us with kit including KitAid, Tarleton FC and Mary’s favourite team Liverpool FC, (Other teams are also welcome) but we always need more kit including shin pads, sets of numbered shirts, boots and balls. FOMO helps to promote sport in the community and supplies kit and balls to teams other than FOMO that are struggling. We also help with registration fees and transport to games. Be a part of this, the  game is loved all over the world, and maybe one day FOMO will have a player in its national team.

Paperwork __________________________________________________________

To ensure everything is accountable and transparent, we all have to do the paperwork both in the UK and Malawi. The accounts are of course at the top of our list to ensure we give you the best value for money, but everything else needs to be done. A few examples: charity, vehicle, clinic school registrations, meeting and responding to the government’s  regulations, purchasing food, drugs and school materials, clearing the container, ensuring the general essential maintenance is carried out to the buildings, vehicles, meetings at the school, clinic, centres, TA’s, Chiefs, Government bodies, arranging internal staff training and the list goes on, planning and arranging visitors, though this is a bit hit and miss as many just turn up to have a look at what we are doing which is not a problem and if you are the area please drop in,  not forgetting collating information for the website in the hope that you can feel a part of this work that many have contributed to.

Distribution of Clothes and things from the container ________________________

A lot of effort by people collecting, packing and sorting of clothes, shoes and other items goes on in the UK. (See container list on our web site for things we need). Equally the sorting in Mulanje by our volunteers  normally goes on till well after mid night for distribution to a centre, and we have fourteen. Clothes, shoes, personal items like soap and toothbrushes/ paste, blankets and mosquitoes nets, (when we have funds) all have to sorted and packed to ensure that no child is left out.

Sorting and distribution happens throughout the year, but the main times are just before the cold season, (and it does get very cold) and just before the rains. Other items such as school materials are given out 3 times a year just before the school term starts. Sport kit is given out when required. Other larger pieces of equipment for the clinic and schools are handed over as soon as the container has been cleared. All in all it is a big job on everyone’s part for which we say big thank you.

Picture one of the football teams receiving some kit and shoes.

One of the 14 play schools – 75 children in this one

 

FOMO covers all aspects of the children’s welfare including health through our outreach clinic, formal and informal education, food security and production. The programme also covers pre-school, out of school activities and further learning through our play schools, computer, driving and tailoring schools. The programme also covers the provision of school materials, personal items (Soap, clothes, blankets, and mosquito nets) and community much more. The programme is run by a very small staff with over 200 local volunteers; our funds are raised by a small, but resourceful volunteer committee in the UK. FOMO provides direct aid and reaches out to many thousands of orphaned and vulnerable children, but we do need a regular source of funding and your personal donations are both valued and appreciated. FOMO established June 2000 is a registered charity in both the UK & Malawi.

Malawi orphans inspire Salford grad’s mountain marathons

A Salford University graduate whose trip to a Malawi orphanage made him realise ‘we’re all here to help each other’ is now embarking on THREE marathons to raise cash for those who inspired him. 

And the go-getting marathon man, who has also quit his retail job to pursue a life teaching, isn’t cutting any corners in doing so, as he plans on tackling the three gruelling tasks in just three months to raise the £35,000 needed for the Malawi children.

Brendan Rendall will give the money to charity Friends of Mulanje Orphans (FOMO) so they can build the art and science block of a secondary school in the south-east African country.

To support this worthy cause – one which has been close to Brendan’s heart since his first visit to Malawi back in 2008 – he will be running the Manchester Marathon on April 19, Windermere Marathon May 17 on, and a gigantic, mountainous 55km Ultimate Trail Challenge on June 27.

The 36-year-old, who is originally from Somerset, was introduced to the organisation through a friend.

He visited them in 2009 and was inspired by how the charity supports 5,000 orphans and is solely run by volunteers.

BEST THINGS IN LIFE ARE FREE: After his first trip to Malawi Brendan gave up most his belongingsHe told MM: “I was so impressed by the hard work FOMO have done and it was clearly visible that money was getting to the project.

“The children at the centres were so incredible. Behind the poverty and hardship there is so much hope and happiness.”

And this is not the first time Brendan has put on his running shoes to help those less fortunate than himself – in fact so far he has helped raise £12,000 for multiple charities.

It all began back in 2006 when he and a group of his friends, with absolutely zero previous long-distance running experience, decided to run a half marathon.

The group entered the Wilmslow Half Marathon and with a mere three months training and managed to complete the race in one hour 24 minutes.

MARATHON MAN: This is not the first time Brendan has put on his running shoes for charityBrendan said: “I hated it at the beginning but then something happened. I started to really enjoy it and in fact, it started to become slightly addictive.”

Addictive seems to be the right word as Brendan has since entered a number of races with his best time being one hour 21 in Blackpool back in 2007.

Not long after that, the hobby turned into a mission as he joined a team who were set to cycle across Malawi – little did he know this experience would change his entire future.

The turning point was in 2008 as Brendan cycled as part of an 11-strong team, visiting a HIV clinic, farming resource centres and orphanages in the African country.

When he came back to Manchester he realised how easy he had it compared to so many in the world.

He said: “The poverty was clear. Children were in rags with no shoes but they would run alongside us smiling and giving us high fives.

“Visiting the projects was completely eye-opening and certainly put so much into perspective.”

HOPE AND HAPPINESS: Brendan said the children he’s met show incredible resilience in though faced with povertyAfter this, in 2011 Brendan completed a 986-mile bike ride from John O’Groats to Land’s End in just 13 days, and topped it off by running the London Marathon the following day.

“The John O’Groats cycle taught me when you dig deep your mind can do incredible things – through the rain in Scotland and the hills in Devon, your mind can really push you on,” he added.

“I love the feeling of living in the moment, when there are no distractions, just the road ahead. It’s you pushing yourself and for me it defines being in the real world and living in the moment.”

From then onwards Brendan has taken on a ‘grab every opportunity’ approach to life and shortly after travelled to Thailand.

He also spent six months in India where he trekked across the Himalayas to South America where he then hiked Machu Picchu in Peru and spent two weeks travelling through the amazon.

He said: “All of these trips have made me realise that you don’t choose where or what you are born with but being born in the UK, we are so privileged. It’s given me such an appreciation for life.

“My job back home seemed pointless and I realised that we were here to help each other. My visits to Malawi taught me more about life, myself and humanity more than anything else.”

On his initial return from Africa, Brendan sold most of his belongings, he cancelled his phone contract and credit cards as material things became less important to him.

DO YOUR BIT: Brendan needs to raise £35,000 for FOMO to build an arts and science block for a school in MalawiHe added: “My first visit to Malawi has had the biggest impact on my life. I never really had any idea how much it would. The trip inspired and taught me that life is so precious.

“We have everything here. We live in a world where we become distracted by consumerism, greed and the desire for more.”

The marathon man has also volunteered at Rusholme’s Grange School, a school for children with Autism.

Although he had no previous experience in the teaching industry he knew he had to have a job which involved helping people.

He took a gamble and a pay cut and left his job in retail management to join the school full-time, where he stayed for two years.

He then became a support worker working with children with autism across Manchester for a company called Time Specialist, where he has been working for five years.

CHILDREN ARE OUR FUTURE: The marathon man realised after visiting Malawi that we are on this earth to help each otherIn September he starts a PGCE in Post 16 Special Educational Needs in Sheffield.

In the future Brendan aims to complete the Marathon des Sables – a footrace known as the toughest on earth as it takes place in one of the world’s most inhospitable terrains, the Sahara desert.

FOMO’s has 12 centres located across the Mulanje district, ranging from grass huts, small rural churches to purpose built facilities.

Their main focuses are improving health care, education and food security but they are involved in every aspect of the children’s lives in the community.

You can follow Brendan’s progress on twitter @helpfomo35, and you can either donate online by Clicking Here, or by texting FOMO99 £1, £2, £3 – £10 to 70070.

Summer in July –  Pat Oliver a local author and play write has written and produced the first in a series of murder mysteries suitable for ages 12+.

The Mad Hatter Murder – Set in the idyllic, imaginary Cotswolds village of Paxford Priors. Twins Becky and Louise open the Mad Hatter Tea Shop. Viv is looking for new dancing friends when her Morris side the Dairy Maids folds up. Gemma is desperate to start a new life in the village. Students Elly and Molly just want something interesting to do in the summer holidays.

During one hot summer, Lady Lucy Percy leads them to mayhem and murder. Paxford Priors gets its first ever crime scene. Meet the men in their lives. A cozy setting, a good plot and a humorous read.

A series of three written in the British Cozy genre. Suitable for ages 12+

To purchase a book and support FOMO please email pat@paxfordpriors.co.uk or fomouk@hotmail.com (P&P + donation) The full amount of the donation will be used to help the children in Malawi.

For further information about Pat and the mysteries books Click Here 

 23/01/2015: More maize has been delivered and is being distributed around the worst hit areas – This is all thanks to your kind generosity. Thank you. We still have many months to go, before things are even a little bit stable again, so please spread the word. With more we can do more.

We have set up a justgiving page Click Here 22/01/2015 – Let me report that we went to see T/A Mabuka. He welcomed us whole heartedly. After explaining to him our mission, he honestly told us that though all the villages in his area have been affected, but there is one village close to Mpala School known as Sonjeka, where the whole village has been washed away by flooded Ruo river. We went there.and found over 50 families taking refuge in Mpala School.

Their houses and fields completely replaced by what I should call a sea of sand. Besides this there also other families from neighboring villages also taking refuge in the same school. There are over 80 families at this camp. We were all speechless and could not believe what we saw. Now we have agreed to go there tomorrow. We are proposing to take 80 blankets, assorted clothes, flour and Nandolo. James is proposing 5 bags of maize flour. But looking at the situation at this camp I thought at least 15 bags if possible.

 BRIEF REPORT ON AID TO THE FLOOD VICTIMS: 21/01/15 From James and Amos

We here by write to report on the aid distribution we had on the 19th of January 2015 as you guided us.

We started at around 6:00am organizing ourselves and taking people to the warehouse to start sorting the clothes. We also sent Mrs. Liphava and Fred to the mill so that we take flour and the grain to the people in need.

Having sorted the clothes we left Steven, Mrs. Liphava, Fred sorting out clothes for Phalombe side while We, Amos, James and Mrs.Saliya went to Nkando, Group Village headman MKalilima we managed to distribute clothes and forty blankets which we collected from Mwamadi and about 15 from the stores. On this morning we had no electricity and it was raining continuously.

Pictures: FOMO helping with Food, Clothes, Blankets and Mosquito nets

It was so challenging because in the process more and more people began to gather thinking that we were distributing these items to people who were registered by NGO and Government. The Village headman had to clearly explain that we were a different group all together. NGOs and government officials went around the villages writing down every house hold which was affected in one way or the other for example loosing property, collapsed houses, destroyed fields, blown off roofs among others.

We however targeted people who were so desperate like the village we visited all the houses were washed away and almost all their belongings swept away.

In his remarks the village head concurred with the representative of the affected thanking FOMO for the quick and timely help.

In the afternoon we braved the persistent rains and we left Chitakale for Phalombe side.  We loaded most of the staff on our truck and the ambulance carried clothes. We visited Mpambachulu School where a large number of families have sought refuge in this school. Other people were at Nthuluwe primary school and others were in a Roman Catholic Church near the school. The people had their homes and fields washed away by the floods. We were accompanied by T/A Nkanda and she was of much help in the whole process. We helped the people at these two camps with 20 bags of maize flour, blankets, assorted clothes, baby blankets, Mosquito nets and legumes.

It must be stressed here that whatever we distributed was appreciated by T/A Nkanda, the village heads and the recipients.

 However there is still need of more help. These people as repeatedly stated have lost all their belongings. Secondly, they have no homes. In addition some of them are school going children and are worried as their parents cannot afford meeting their education needs.

Picture: Maize Delivery –  The people we worked with are, Steven; Blessings, the driver; Mwamadi Chair, Mrs. Saliya; Mrs. Ruth Kumwamba, Chair for Kumwamba centre; Mrs. Liphava; Fred, receptionist, Lawrence and Magalasi from FOMO mill, and another boy Sayison. We thank them all for their cooperation.

We also take this opportunity thanking the directors and all FOMO supporters for the help. These people have at least something to start with.

 Update 19/01/2015 – FOMO helping out with food, blankets, clothes at Kalilima and Sadibwa villages in TA Nkanda – Mujanje

Am trying to send pictures. We have electricity problem. Network very bad, tomorrow we may not have electricity again. I WILL KEEP TRYNG – Amos

Update 17/01/2015 – FOMO has some resources on the ground which will distribute, but we still needs funds to help as many as we can.

From Amos (Head of FOMO School) and James (FOMO’s Accountant)

Dear Uncle Keith and Aunt Mary,

We write to inform you that the whole of this day we have been to some
places where people have been severely affected by the floods.

The first place we visited is Kalilima village T/A Nkanda, Mulanje (Close to Nkando trading centre). Several houses have been totally destroyed. However we focused on the village named above where almost all 15 houses have been washed away.

People need urgent help of the following basing items;
1. Food
2. Blankets
3. Clothes
4. Shelter
5. Mosquito nets
6. Cooking utensils

From there we went to Mpambachulu and Sadibwa village near Kambenje trading centre as you go to Phalombe. T/A Nkanda gave us her aid to escort us to these areas. Again here several houses have been damaged, but we were so concerned of the people whose houses have been washed away. Thuchira River has actually abandoned its usual course and cut through several villages. The people are housed in Pambachulu primary school and other schools such as Chazinga primary and others where we did not manage to visit because the road is totally damaged. About 265 families are camping in this one primary school. Men and women sharing different blocks. Saddening was the fact that these people have no blankets, mats to the extent that they use ragged mosquito nets as blankets. Some have what one could hardly call a blanket. They are afraid of Malaria outbreak as they have no mosquito nets. We
found a lady and a girl sleeping on a piece of timber without anything to cover themselves with. Yet they are sick.

They also urgently need basic items as above. You may wish to know that we are the first organization to visit these people since the flood took away their belongings they cherished so much.

We did interview most of the people including village heads but we did
not directly take their pictures.

We have set up a just giving page Click Here for donations or you can contact us directly via email fomouk@hotmail.com.

____________________________________________________________________

The southern region of Malawi including Mulanje is in the grip of unprecedented floods.

This will be familiar to many in the UK, but the consequences for the local rural mostly subsistence farmers, is deadly. They may have survived the initial, but the loss of newly planted crops and their food store from last years harvest will lead to famine and starvation. Add to this the lack of shelter, over flowing pit latrines, the loss of their few possessions, blankets, pots and plates and the immediate situation is bleak. There is no support structure and to mobilise the countries few resources will be too little too late.

Help is needed now and in the coming year to both feed and repair the damage done.

FOMO has not been unaffected by this disaster, with the loss of structures and total destruction of the crops that help to support the children. Nearly all our children come from rural families and their situation is still unfolding.

FOMO has raised a “Flood Appeal” to help purchase, plastic sheeting for shelter, food, plates, blankets and to support the children and their families over the coming year.

FOMO gives direct help and can react quickly, but we do need help at this critical time.

We have set up a just giving page Click Here for donations or you can contact us directly via email fomouk@hotmail.com.

Thank you for your time and assistance you may wish to give.

By: Oliver Simbota

BRIEF FAMILY BACKGROUND: My name is Oliver Simbota. I am a boy of 22 years. I am the last born in a family of 7 children (three sons and four daughters). My father died in 1997 when I was very young. My mother also died in 2003 when I was in standard 3 (primary level) followed by my elder brother in 2010. From my family, no one had managed to complete his or her education up to secondary or tertiary level like me. As a result of death of my father and mother, all my sisters got married early due to lack of support. All my sisters and brother depend on farming for their daily living. One of my sisters took me in 2001 to live with her though she was not working. I have been living with her from my childhood till today.

JOINING FOMO: I was very hopeless about my future before I joined FOMO. I realized that I have bright future when I joined FOMO in 2002. Throughout my primary school level, FOMO has been supporting me in various ways like providing food, medical treatment, clothes, soap, notebooks and pens just to mention few. During my stay at FOMO, I have been also learning many talents like playing piano and singing.

When I was selected to boarding secondary school to continue my education, FOMO did not stop there but to continue paying me school fees. Apart from school fees, FOMO was also providing things like pocket money, notebooks, blanket, mosquito net, travelling bag, school bag and much more.

FOMO has done a great job to my life and I can’t exhaust all the things which FOMO has done to my life throughout my primary, secondary and even now at tertiary level.

FULFILMENT OF MY DREAM: FOMO is now doing a great job to me by fulfilling my dream of becoming a Clinical Laboratory Scientist. From my childhood, I have been thinking of becoming medical personnel. I was not sure of which department in medical field I would want to be working but what I remember is that I was very curious about what makes people to fall sick. I was also interested in searching things and asking myself many questions.

Then I applied to Malawi Adventist University to do my first degree in Medical Laboratory Science. I like this course because I really know that I will assist the world in various ways. I really wish also to put FOMO CLINIC on map in terms of providing best services and to turn it into a hospital. I am now in second year of my studies.

SPECIAL THANKS: In a special way, I would like to extend my gratitude to Aunt Mary Uncle Keith and Sister Mary (Mary Petrofsky) for the massive support you are rendering to me for paying my school fees. I don’t want to take it for granted because I really know that there are many people who have failed to continue their education up to University level due to lack of money. I just want also to encourage you that please continue the work you have already started of paying me the school fees.

I want also to thank Sister Mary for the first aid classes you provided to me. The knowledge of first aid you put in me is really helping to many people around me.

Finally, I would like to thank FOMO UK as well as FOMO MALAWI for the support you give to me as well as other FOMO registered members. May God bless you all. Zikomo kwambiri (Thank you very much).

FUTURE PLANS: I am expecting to work at FOMO CLINIC as a laboratory scientist after finishing my degree in Medical Laboratory Science. I am also expecting to support my fellow orphans after my studies.

DURING HOLIDAYS: I assist at FOMO CLINIC during my holidays and conduct first aid classes to FOMO children across FOMO 14 centres around Mulanje district.

• If you wish to help people like Oliver, and we have many
•  Please contact FOMO or Click here to donate

Having travelled to Malawi 3 times previously with Bay House School and Sixth Form, this summer I chose to travel independently to help the charity. I stayed with some friends I had made previously, and had a very full on and packed 5 weeks.

One of the main jobs I had was to teach in the FOMO Independent Secondary School. For a week, I worked with the standard 8’s as they revised for their entrance exams, often having 50+ children in each class. I taught Maths and Geography. Education is key to success in Malawi, and I felt honoured that I could be involved in their progression. Their eagerness to learn and English ability at that level constantly impressed me. I wish all my students at home where that good! I worked closely with my fellow teachers at the school, planning, marking and organising the examination day, and it was great to see the care they had for their students.

I also had smaller, but no less important, jobs to do during my stay. I travelled to centres in the afternoons, where Wilson and I registered children at each centre. This involved a crash course in Chichewa, and then taking the child’s details. After many afternoons of data collecting, and many more mornings of writing up the data, it really begins to hit home just how many children FOMO supports. Without the charity, were would they be? Possibly not in education, which every single child currently is. It was a very sobering experience, but one that showed just how important FOMO is to the children, and how is supports them throughout their life.

I spent many hours sorting in the stores, organising all the hundreds and hundreds of items that have been delivered in the containers. The variety of items that are delivered, and the usefulness of everything, astounded me. We then went to a number of centres to distribute clothes and soap. It’s the behind the scene action that enables FOMO to continue, something I have never really seen with Bay House. I also travelled to Naluwade Centre in the mountains to donate a wheelchair to a member of the community who was desperately in need. Without the continual support of the local community, this charity would also not be able to function as effectively as it currently does, and so to be able to give back to the community is important.

Before departing, I managed to secure a £500 donation from TURBOCAM, a company near me, as well as kindly donations of netballs and footballs. Whilst in Malawi, the financial donation was able to pay for the deposit and construction of 8 bunk beds for the hostel, which is vital for the safety of the girls. The building seemed to shoot up while I was there, progressing reasonably quickly, as the deadline was the 8^th of September. This was due to the hard work of a small team of local builders who worked late into the night. The footballs and netballs were also greatly received, and I was privileged enough to travel with FOMO FC and watch them win 3 out of 3 games, as well as climb the magnificent Mount Mulanje with them.

FOMO FOR CHRISTMAS Giving gift certificates is an easy way of solving present giving and Walmer Bridge- based FOMO (Friends of Mulanje Orphans) is encouraging people to do just that. You’ll limit your shopping stress and enrich the lives of the thousands of orphans in their care in the Mulanje district of Malawi.

You might be forgiven for thinking an £8 gift certificate for a football can’t make a difference, but it will. A little goes a long way in Malawi!

There are four categories of certificate. Food covers beehives, chickens, a month of food or a year of food. Health options are blankets, mosquito nets, malaria treatments and doctor’s appointments. Educational gifts cover uniform, school shoes or a chair and desk. Mulanje’s young boys are good footballers and the girls keen on netball so balls and kit are warmly welcomed.

Gift vouchers range from £5 to £150. If you’ve more money to spend a bike gift is £80 and a hand-dug bore hole that would bring clean water to a whole community, £1,000.

• Football £5
• Malaria treatment £5
• Mosquito net £5
• Netball £8
• Blanket £10
• Chickens £10
• Doctor’s appointment and medication £10
• Food for 1 month £10
• Football/Netball kit £15
• School uniform £18
• Beehive £20
• School shoes £20
• Bike £80
• Food for 1 year £100
• Bunk bed with materesses £120 (NEW)
• School chair and desk £150
• Hand dug borehole £1000

                                                          For more information please Click Here

There are many bits of furniture we need for the new girls’ hostel like wardrobes, side tables, chairs etc which will have to have made when we get funding, but one essential item is beds, which I know aren’t regarded by some other schools in Malawi as essential, but its important to lift the children off the floor, so the bugs and creepy crawlies don’t join them in bed at night, not to mention the cold and damp. Part of hostel build plan was to provide bunk beds, mattresses, which could be enclosed in a mosquito net, so it was with great delight that the first bunk beds started to arrive. We now have 7, but need 44.

To help the local employment the beds are made in Mulanje and the basic frame is made out of hardwood. The supply of the beds is not great only, one a day, but with only basic hand tools and rough cut wood the situation is not ideal. FOMO did come to the rescue and help out a bit by providing some additional tools and equipment to help the job along and we have to thank those in the UK that have given the planes, hammers. chisels etc in the past, they do come in very useful.

FOMO needs 44 bunk beds, 88 mattress and mosquito nets at a unit cost of around £125 ($188 USD) Total £5,500 ($8,250 USD), we were kindly given our first donation of £500 ($750 USD) if you can give even a small amount to help us reach our targe it will be appreciated and the children can be kept safe.

I would like to make a donation, how? Answer Click Here

Studies have shown that in school-aged girls’ menstrual health ‘one of the most effective ways to deal with menstruation is to go home’. Due to the relatively high cost of pads against actual family income, girls will improvise with cloth, or bark tree lining, or mattress stuffing.

There are many high profile organizations, including the Malawi government talking about the need to help with female issues, but little is done for positive direct help. The Malawi government still insists on charging import duty on female sanitary products.  

Afri sanitary pads are produced in Uganda and are a washable reusable pad and come in packs of 8. FOMO with its focus on direct meaningful aid, were delighted to receive a donation from St. Helens Soroptimists to purchase a number of these pads that have been given out free to the girls.  From surprisingly frank, (they are quite happy to talk freely about, which goes against a common perception) feedback from the girls there are some minor issues which have been fed back to the supplier, but on the whole the product meets the girls’ needs and allows them to feel comfortable and confident while playing sport and going about their daily lives.

I would like to make a donation, how? Answer Click Here

Picture above: Finishing the main entrance to the hostel and installing the window glass.

The building of the girl’s hostel for the FOMO Independent Secondary School, (FISS) goes on at a steady rate. The target opening date was 8th September 2014, but as this is only two days away, I guess we have missed it, but on the up side the steps have now been finished (the picture is a week old). The glass has now been fitted and the painting is on-going.

Considering the late start, the size of the project and the difficulties of any construction in rural Malawi, everyone has put in a tremendous effort. It puts a new spin on it when you have to make your own bricks and dig the sand out of the river. Taking everything into consideration it is a great job done by Lypha, (projects manager), and the building crew, to whom we have to say a big thank you.

The final completion won’t actually be until the end of September, but the work outstanding is only cosmetic, i.e. outside pointing, fascia boards, general clean up etc. The building will be usable before then as the septic tank is almost done, we have water and electricity and the final fix is all done for showers and toilets etc.

There are still a couple of things that need major funding:

• The roof design allows for water collection on a grand scale to be used for washing clothes. Unfortunately the funding we had did not cover water tanks and guttering, the cost of this is around £1,600, ($2,500 USD), but we were stretched to the limit on the build, so if you can help we would be grateful.
• The Hostel needs beds, and we had a kind donation of £500 which enabled us to make 7 bunk beds (not including mattresses), but we actually need 44 bunk beds and mattresses.

Above are the two major items of funding needed, but its like setting up your first home, we also need 20 shower curtains, 50 lamp shades, curtains, curtain rails, cupboards and side tables and all manner of other small things. We are working hard to make it all a reality and every £1 helps.

Picture Above: 6 meter deep septic tank with soak away under construction

We are fundraising for a boys hostel, if you would like to contribute please Click Here

I would like to make a general donation, how? Answer Click Here

By Rosie Hill from Bay House School

Bay House School and Sixth Form have strong links with organisations worldwide; these links put Bay House on the map globally and it has a reputation of having international status. One of the strongest links Bay House has is a link with a charity based organisation called Friends of Mulanje Orphans (FOMO) this charity supports 5000 orphans through a ever growing network of different community centres where the children are aided in all aspects of living. Malawi is the third poorest country in the world and has a massive resource shortage from food to basic building equipment for houses. This is why everyone is doing all we can to help this underdeveloped country. One of the ways we are helping is by sending a team of 8 students and 4 members of staff out each year, this year I was lucky to part of team Malawi 2014 from Bay House.

To be selected on team Africa meant that each individual had to raise the minimum of £1500 through fund raising, this covered the fight out to Malawi, accommodation, food and donations to the charity. There are many ways of raising this money many people do cake sales, c ar boot sales and sponsored events. To fund raise my money for the trip Idecided to take on a paper round which I did daily and all the money I worked for I gave straight toward the trip. It is recommended by the school that you fund raise the money yourself rather than just paying in the money for the trip as this make the whole experience more personal because you know that you have worked hard for others to benefit and this way you can see where the money is going.

Two years ago when I started collecting the funds for the trip I didn’t really know what I was letting myself in for. To start with I thought that I was going out to help in orphanages, have an eye opener to the reality of the world and learn a bit more about FOMO its self. However I didn’t really understand the impact we made to the children’s lives just going to see them, and I wasn’t really aware of how intense the experience was going to be, and the amount of contact we had with the children. This meant that I didn’t really realise how emotionally attached I was going to get to the children and the origination as a whole. The reality was that the children were incredibly grateful for us just being there to see them as this gave them hope that someone out in the wider world was thinking about them. It was the fact that the orphans had nothing yet appreciated everything they had was heart-breaking as people back in the UK live privilege lives and most take it for granted.

That’s why I’m never going to be the same, the experience of going to a 3rd world country was overwhelming and a massive cultural shock and makes me realise how lucky I am to live in a country which is so wealthy.

When we were there we visited 7 centres plus two nurseries and the Mulanje General Hospital. Before the trip out we all collected items such as clothing, books, games and sports equipment as this is what FOMO and the children were most in need of, on the trip over to Malawi we had all our suitcases jam packed full of these types of items. So when we visited each centre we took with us some donations to the children on top of the money we raised. These items we gave straight to orphans so we could directly see our contributions making a difference. One of the ways our presence helped was that we gave them a role model to learn from as this is something they would never of had which meant that they could get a better insight to what the western world is like thus meaning it gives the children something to strive for in later life. But it’s not just short term benefits of us going to visit the children it’s the fact that, our story will now be shared back home and our experience will be told to hundreds of people meaning that we have raise awareness of the charity and have publicised FOMO more which then in turn means that FOMO will benefit as they will gain more attention and long term more money.

The link between us and FOMO is ever growing with every year we visit the charity. It started over 10 years ago when Bay House School sent a small team of students out to FOMO. Since then we have continued to strengthen our relationship by supporting the charity, FOMO has expanded a considerable amount since our first links, as just last year they opened FOMO independent secondary school (FISS) this school takes privet students as well as FOMO sponsored students. This is a massive achievement for the charity as now it can become sustainable as they have potential new

FOMO employees. However this school doesn’t just benefit the charity it also benefits the whole country as its bringing up an educated generation which means the country can move forward and develop their government and infrastructure further. This development of the school means that Bay House and FISS can learn and share teaching methods thus enabling each school to refine their teaching and learning meaning both schools benefit.

Having international links is good because students, like myself, have the chance to have life changing experiences such as visiting these poor counties as now after this trip I look at school in a different light and it makes me appreciated my learning more. Going to a different school teaches me about the different cultures also us being there means that the pupils will learn about our culture too. That is why Bay Houses’ international links are invaluable to the school.

I would like to make a donation, how? Answer Click Here

Education is not just about facts and figures, it’s also about social responsibility. So when an urgent call came from the Malawi Blood Transfusion Service (MBTS) we were proud that the 31 eligible students (+16 years) and the senior staff of FOMO’s Independent Secondary School cheerfully volunteered to freely donate a pint of blood.

Most of the children FOMO helps understand the need for blood and will have at sometime seen their aunts and uncles rushing around trying to find siblings and friends to provide blood for a sick relative, and sometimes it’s a race for life that is not always won.  In ideal conditions each blood donation provides three different blood components and can be given to save lives of  three different people, but blood only lasts for 42 days so we hope and pray that this gift of blood is the first step in regular giving.

Well done and thank you to everyone that took part.

Wild Life and Environmental Society of Malawi (WESM) from Mulanje donated dust bin to FOMO Independent Secondary School on 27th May 2014. Memory Banda, Community Liason Officer, presented the bin to the principal on behalf of the crew of Wild Life and Environmental Society of Malawi as the leader of delegation.

Receiving the bin, on behalf of FOMO Independent Secondary School, Mr. Ligomeka, the principal, thanked WESM for the gift. He said that the bin has come at the right time when the school is facing the problems in managing waste like sugarcane left overs since this is the season for sugarcane. Speaking during the presentation ceremony, Jessica Namadzunda, the monitoring and evaluation officer, said that the society has done this in order to promote waste management and reduce waste. She also said that FOMO is the only secondary school which has received the bin in Mulanje district. Other bins were given to health centres like Chambe, Kambenje and Namalowe CDSS in Phalombe district.. Other places were Chitakale and Lauderdale markets.

The principal presenting dust bin to Evance Kanada– chairperson of Wild Life Club.

 Water Harvesting: A few posts back we managed to install three 6,000 litre water tanks a FOMO Tambala, the final plan was to pipe the water into the building to the toilets and wash basins, also to have an outside tap that we could use to water in the vegetable garden. Well the FOMO Mulanje team has now completed the installation. Congratulations for a job well done.

We still retain the outside toilets, but the ability to wash one’s hands afterwards is a great step forward. The staff and children will still have a bit of a learning curve to go up to strike a balance between water usage and water collection, but time will tell over the next year.

There is enough rainfall averaged over the year to supply the centre, but 3 more tanks would help us with collection and security of supply throughout the year.

We also have 5 more centers and the Secondary School that would benefit greatly from installation of water collection tanks. It does make sense to install tanks and if we can add water solar heaters to the system, we can save a great deal on the scarce firewood.

Save the trees, catch the rain

 Lives can be changed, but we do need YOU to help

That’s a great project, how can I Donate Here, Click Here

Even a small gift to help may seem too little, but to them it’s means everything.

by Francis R. G. Ligomeka (Principal FOMO Independant Seconadry School)

FAMILY BACKGROUND: Lydia Funali was born on 17^th May 1999 at Nsanjama village in Mkando area in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Funali. Lydia is the last born in the family of five children. She has three brothers and one sister. Her father was working as a primary teacher while her mother was a house wife. Her mother died when she was young that she cannot even remember her appearance. She declares that she has not seen her mother. Her father died a year later. Lydia was staying with her grandmother. Her grandmother also died in 2008. Then, Lydia is staying with her aunt, a sister to her father. Her elder sister and two brothers are staying in their mother’s house in Mkando taking care of them. Lydia and her younger brother, Eric are staying with their aunt at Bondo village, Mulanje.  Her aunt has seven children.  They have seven children in their family making a total of nine children together with Lydia and her brother. They are not employed but depend on subsistence farming.

 JOINING FOMO: Lydia joined FOMO in 2009 when she was 9 years old. She was in standard 4 at KabichiPrimary School by then. Due to financial status of Lydia’s aunt, she could not assist Lydia and her brother Eric together with her seven children, so she went to Chief Bondo and explained that she was supporting two orphans and seven children. Chief Bondo gave her a letter and took it to FOMO centre. Lydia and Eric were registered as FOMO beneficiaries. By then Eric was in standard seven, this time he is in form four at Kabichi CDSS. FOMO is assisting Lydia with school fees, clothes, shoes, food and school materials like exercise books, writing materials and uniform.

EFFECT OF FOMO: FOMO has changed the life of Lydia in different ways. It has changed her life educationally. FOMO encourages children to go to school. She likes education because of FOMO. At first, she had no clothes but this time, she has lots of clothes because of FOMO. She spends much of her time at FOMO centre. Without FOMO, Lydia said that she would have been involved in other immoral activities which would force her into early marriage. She could do this because of lack of financial assistance. Some of her age mates are mothers of fatherless children and others in families.

 FUTURE PLANS: Lydia wants to be a nurse. She wants to assist her fellow women and other people who will be in need of healthy assistance. She wishes to be a nurse because she likes science subjects like Physical Science, Biology and Mathematics. She also like other subjects like English, Business Studies and Agriculture.

 HER POINT OF VIEW: Lydia is very thankful to the directors and the entire management of FOMO for the assistance rendered to her. Without FOMO, she would not have gone far with her education. She said that she has benefited a lot from FOMO. She asks FOMO to render the same service to other people who are in need. Lydia promises to work with FOMO when she finishes her education

 PROBLEMS FACED: Lydia comes from Naluwade centre, Bondo village which is very far FOMOIndependentSecondary School. Because of that, she is at self boarding, renting the premises which are close to the school. Therefore she faces the problems of food and money for daily consumption. Her aunt is trying to assist her but her assistance is not enough due high cost of living.

Lives can be changed, but we do need YOU to help sponsor children like Lydia.

Donating to the hostel project will help Lydia and many other children that are finding it impossible to find safe and secure accomodation to attend school.

To Donate Click Here 

Even a small gift to help may seem too little, but to them it’s means everything.

 In 2013 FOMO embarked of a new micro finance support project. 

The basic idea is to provide supported financial services to individuals within a Group who have little or no other means of access to credit or other financial services. FOMO’s Micro finance targets women headed households in the rural areas of Malawi. More specifically Micro finance is the provision of small loans, to undertake business ventures.Read More Click Here

The first group of 100 women successfully paid back their individual loans well within the agreed time. The individual ventures mainly consist of buying and selling produce, personal and household items.

Following the success of the first loans FOMO has now embarked on a rolling programme of small loans, increasing the amount loaned and increasing the number of participants to 120 or as funds allow. (More funds, more people)

 When individuals without capital are presented with the opportunity to borrow, they can start making personal choices that will potentially help to support their families , and taking advantage of FOMO’s micro finance loans can be a great start.

Even a small working loan can be enough to launch a small business in a Malawi that could help the benefactor pull themselves and their family out of poverty, improve their health and children’s education opportunities.

I wish to support this worthy enterprise to empower women in business. How ? Click Here. Even a small amount to the fund will make a difference.

Since the invention of the pot, water has been collected from the dripping cave walls, or the dwelling house.  The vessels may have changed and the introduction of the tin roof has made the water collection a little more efficient, but the capacity to store the collected water has always been limited to the size and numbers of the pots.

Water is at a premium in the rural areas, people have to walk long distances to wells and rivers. The provision of boreholes helps to bring clean water closer to the home, but still the task of collecting the water is time consuming and hard labour. Children mostly have the task of bringing back sufficient water for cooking and washing and traditionally the water is carried on their heads which may look sweet in the pictures, but can’t be good for their physical development and time lost from just being children.

Tambala like very many, is a small hamlet deep in the rural area with no access to electricity or mains water. FOMO a number of years ago installed a borehole and built a centre to serve both Tambala village and the surrounding area, but the need for more has always been at the back of our minds.

The surface area of the FOMO centre roof at Tambala is around 432 meter square ie the building is 36 meters (118 feet)  long and 12 meter (39.5 feet) wide, which we felt was large enough to collect sufficient water over the rainy season, (December to April) to allow it to be used during the dry season for vegetable production. Some rain does fall between May and November with October and November being the driest months.  

With the villagers limited means of collecting water, there is little or no water for the production of food during the dry season, It would be nice to provide everyone with a tank and guttering, but the cost really rules this out, but something can be done, and it was with great pleasure that the South Ribble Rotary Club had the vision and took on our proposal to fund a water harvesting project at the FOMO centre at Tambala village.

Due to the non standard overhang from the edge of the roof and the fascia board we had to make some modifications to the standard gutter brackets and with the enthusiastic help of the children at FOMO Kumwamba, we soon had a little production line going. The ground work was completed at Tambala and the three 6000 litre tanks installed. Due to the remoteness of the centre and the standard of the roads it was some days before the rains subsided long enough so we could go out and fit the guttering and pipe work. One thing about fitting the gutters in the pouring rain is that you know instantly that they are working, but we managed and within half an hour of connecting the down pipe into the tank, we already had a foot of water in the bottom.

This project will help to provide a daily supply of water and sufficient to grow vegetables in the dry season to help nourish the children, but this could not have been achieved without outside funding, we have six further buildings that are suitable for this project and if you would like to help, please contact me. Click Here

A further development of the water harvesting project is to add a solar heater; this would provide hot water for bathing and washing clothes etc and reduce the need for firewood.

FOMO has for many years been running internal sports and activity bonanzas for many year, each of the 13 centres contributing to the football, netball, athletics, acrobatics, dance and singing, but this is the first year we have concentrated on the underfourteens and taking it to a bigger stage at Mulanje park.

The FOMO under 14 Bonanza held at Mulanje Park Sports ground signified what Malawi should be in future as the young girls and boys entertained the crowds that came to celebrate New Year in style with FOMO joined by members of Mulanje FA, Our Voice Our Future, Mulanje District Council, Police, in the company of chiefs from the surrounding villages. They made the Bonanza a great success. Watching the under 14 playing football and netball, the crowds were greatly inspired.

The bonanza was opened up to many new teams not connected directly to FOMO and allowed the event to truly represent the children of Mulanje.

The Principal of FOMO Independent Secondary School Mr. Francis Ligomeka speaking on behalf of the Director Mrs. Mary Woodworth assured the gathering that the Bonanza will continue with full participation of the communities.

The Under 14 Sports Bonanza brought people together regardless of their society or political affiliations. The occasion was the best for any peace loving Malawian would like to see more of such events for the youth in Malawi.

FOMO believes playing sports can give young people joy and desire to succeed in life but still urges young people to work hard at school and live in harmony.

FOMO has for the past many years since its opening changed and influenced living conditions of many orphans through sporting events. Sport gave young boys and girls motivation and opportunities to improve their life and health, while offering entertainment to many social groups in Mulanje.

FOMO WISHES TO THANK ALL WHO SUPPORTED THE UNDER 14 FOMO BONANZA IN MULANJE DISTRICT.

Director of FOMO, Mrs. Mary Woodworth popularly known as “Aunt Mary” together with her husband also popularly known as “Uncle Keith” shaking hands with the officials and players just be-fore kick off. FOMO has for the past many years since its opening changed living conditions of many orphans through its direct aid programme and sporting events. Sporting events have brought communities together while giving young boys and girls’ time to improve their education and well being. FOMO sponsored the Bonanza.

FOMO Results

Netball

1. FOMO Sazola Sisters
2. FOMO Sapitwa Sisters
3. FOMO Kumwamba
4. Njedza

Fooball

1. Super Eleven FC
2. FOMO Mangani FC
3. FOMO Kumwamba FC
4. FOMO Kadewere FC

Last October  after collecting a shed full, (big shed) of various items to support the FOMO programme in Malawi, a spirited band of volunteers came together on a cool cloudy Friday morning to see how much we could pack into the 40ft container. A misspent youth playing Tetras, is a useful skill on such occasions, as we manoeuvred the numerous hospital beds, water tanks, boxes and bags of all shapes and sizes into the container.  Our job was done as we waved good bye to the container and surveyed what was left over, for next year’s container.

Late December, and the container makes land fall in Blantyre Malawi. With a bit of running about the container was cleared to come down to Mulanje. Transport was arranged and the storage in Mulanje had been previously cleared ready to take and sort the load. So all that was needed was to lift the container in Blantrye from the stack in the custom area and pop it onto a lorry so we could drive the 30 mile down to Mulanje. Now that sound simple, but the crane in the container port that moves the containers around, was not working as their generator/transformer was broken and so there was no electricity to the crane. Not to worry, and after waiting all day we had to standdown the driver of the truck and go back to Mulanje. Next day the electrical supply was still not working, (I can see a back log building up) the situation went on for almost a week, but finally the electricity was flowing again the container was loaded, but now its night time. We can’t unload the container in the dark as we have to wait for the MRA, (customs) people to observe the unloading. The nearest customs post to Mulanje is at the boarder about fifteen miles away. They don’t have any transport, so off we went early next morning to collect them, and finally the unloading started.

We had a number of large water tanks in the container which had been donated by South Ribble Rotary Club for a water collection project at FOMO Tambala Centre. The tanks are not heavy, but due to their size are a little awkward to handle and the plan was to slide the tanks from the container onto the back of the FOMO lorry, easy!.  Due to mechanical problems, (and if someone wants to help us out with funding for newer vehicles, Christmas will most definitely have come) the truck did not arrive until later, but you have to admire the teams ability to problem solve and though H & S may be shuddering in their steel capped boots, the three tanks were safely unloaded along with the hospital beds for Mulanje District Hospital and a multitude of things for the school, clinic and the children.

A job well done by everyone in the UK and Mulanje that made it possible to deliver the container safely to its destination i.e. the children.

There is a phone advert on TV at the moment that tries to imply that we are all connected. I am married to my wife, my wife has met the president of Malawi who has met some of the world leaders like David Cameron, Barack Obama etc. Does this mean I am connected to David or Barack? Of course not. Do they know I exist, other than as a statistic? Of course not, but they have the power to change my life for good or ill.

I am linked to a little girl called Teka through a web of connections that have their origins in the distant past and individual decisions made along life’s way. To you at the moment she is just a little girl in the mass of humanity. The decision is yours to read her story and make a connection. What action or inaction you decide will affect her and maybe thousands of other children in similar circumstances.

The last image you see of Teka as a happy 12 year old will live forever, but she may have already slipped over the horizon and become just another statistic. The power to connect and make a change is in your hands.

Teka’s Story: Teka is now 12 and a survivor – thanks to FOMO.

Her parents split up when she was very small and Teka lived with her dad. She was just five when he died. Rejected by her Mum, who had remarried, and by other relations, the future looked bleak for little Teka. Luckily her 9 year-old brother had the sense to ask FOMO for help. It was decided Tika should stay in the children’s house where a care assistant would protect and care for her. A happy Tika was soon top of her class at school.   One day she was involved in an accident on the way home from school, which left her battered and bruised. FOMO’s clinical staff visited her every day, but she lost some schooling and  it was decided she should board at the school to make up the lost time and avoid the perils of travelling .Again she bounced back and was soon at the top of her class once more.   Then in June this year FOMO had a call from the school to say she was very sick and had been like that for two weeks. FOMO immediately went to collect her and found she was so weak that she couldn’t even walk across the room. The FOMO ambulance was called and she was taken to Mulanje Mission  (a fee paying hospital) where she stayed for a couple of nights, Despite a diagnosis that she was just run down and would be better in a week, her condition didn’t improve. Again the FOMO ambulance was called. This time she was taken to Blantyre, and a hospital with a working X-ray machine. As our own clinician had suspected, Tika had TB. FOMO paid the bill and got medicine. Within a week (staying at the FOMO centre) she was up and about and looking a lot better, though still in some pain, 6 months later and she has completed the TB treament, Tika is now back to normal, and she is now back at school and doing well. But where should Tika live?   Enter Sheila, who helped to care for Tika while she was ill and shared an obvious bond. A ‘FOMO child’ herself, Sheila  is now married with her own child, but her house was too small to take in an extra child. FOMO again stepped in and rented a house for Sheila. her family and Teka. Teka once again is doing well at school and has a family that she can settle down with. Now in her final year of primary school it is anticipated that she will pass to go on to Secondary school and with the right funding, will go even further.

 If FOMO hadn’t been there Teka would be begging on the streets.

Now she has a chance to be Teka.

 Helping does, has and will make a difference,

but we do need YOU to help sponsor children like Teka,

To Donate Click Here 

Your gift today can save a child from a life of suffering, and open up a world of opportunities.

Even a small gift to help the children may seem too little, but to them it’s means everything.

Mary & Keith Woodworth for FOMO……………………….Aid Direct and Personal

www.fomo.co.uk………with more, we can do more………… Please pass on this email

Football plays a significant part in the lives of Malawians and the children of FOMO are no exception. Whether it is watching, playing or following their favourite UK league teams on the couple of tiny televisions available to them in Mulanje, they do so with a passion equal to that of actually being there.

Our teams have won a number of cups over the years, including the presidential and Mulanje league cups. Playing on grounds in summer that resemble hard rough uneven sand paper and in the rainy season resemble a slimy, potholed, puddle ridden quagmire. Our kit, players and especially the boots take a bit of a pounding, so it was with great pleasure that Kit Aid were able to provide us with some shirts and tops to go into this years container.

Around FOMO 13 centres both the younger older children have benefited from contributions from Kit aid, Tarleton FC, Lancashire FA, personal donations of kit and boots and from their idols Liverpool FC over the years. We always need more, conditions are very tough on balls and boots, but we also need kit including pads, socks etc. if you can help in any way please contact us. Video Click Here

I must put in a plea for the girls as they are just as passionate about netball as the boys are about football and their kit comes under the same harsh playing conditions as the football. Balls, trainers, bibs, kit etc are always welcome.

The team’s project was based at an orphan centre in the Mulanje region of Southern Malawi.  The Tambala Centre, which was the team’s home for the next week, was run by FOMO (Friends Of Mulanje Orphans), a UK based charity.  Tambala is a large orphan centre, which provided the facilities for 400 orphans to attend, meet and play with one another.  It also provided some basic teaching and each day Auntie Hannah and her helpers provided a basic meal, cooked on an open fire, for all the children.

Upon arrival, the team received an amazing welcome, which included introductory speeches, singing, dancing and gymnastics.  The number of children at the centre was quite overwhelming and the afternoon was spent making new friends, playing and taking vast numbers of photos followed immediately by having to show the results to a mass of children wishing to see themselves on a small LCD screen!

Whilst at the Tambala Centre, the team undertook the renovation and decoration of the interior and exterior of the main building.  During the 6 days, the team made excellent progress inside the centre and finished the redecoration of the main hall, two additional rooms, a hallway and two bathrooms.  Outside, the team also completed the front of the building, one sidewall, the large covered walkway and the paintwork on the window frames and wrought iron door grills.  The team had hoped to complete the remainder of the exterior but a large bees’ nest in the roof, at one end of the building, prevented this, although the budget was sufficient to pay for the nest to be removed.  The team also paid for curtain poles and new curtains in many of the rooms, which were made at the FOMO textiles department.

Each afternoon, following a long day’s work, the team relaxed and played a variety of games with the orphans.  Unfortunately, the Sion international football team was convincingly beaten (some would say thrashed) by the better organised, more skilful and significantly faster local team, most of whom were playing bare footed.  However, honour was redeemed by two convincing victories at netball, although I’m not positive that all of our play was strictly within the rules.

Overall, it was a privilege to have the opportunity to work at the Tambala orphan centre..  The children at the centre were an inspiration and although they had very little in the way of personal possessions they were always smiling and happy. The FOMO organisation does wonderful work and I look forward to Sion School supporting them further in the future.

http://www.sionschool.org.uk/World_Challenge_2013

Lives can be changed, but we do need YOU to help

To Donate Click Here 

Even a small gift to help may seem too little, but to them it’s means everything. 

As the school edges towards its new beginning, it was a land mark moment this week to welcome aboard the teaching staff, which will help to mould school and students over the coming years.

The FOMO staff have been busy finishing off various aspects of facilities and procedures. One element not to be overlooked is the enrolment of the students, this process start yesterday with an entrance exam. We were a little unsure how many would attend the exam session, but were delighted that over 200 potential students turned up on the day. Sadly we can only take 100 students this year, therefore many will be very disappointed, but we do have plans if ESCOM finally connect the electric to run an afternoon/ night school, though not ideal there is hope.

There is a great desire for education in Malawi, but sadly not many places in secondary school. This may be a small beginning, but with your help on this project we will make a big difference to the children in Mulanje. We do have many plans to expand the school and give more children a chance and with your continued support we will reach our goal one day.

 Note we now have a painted sign, (Little by Little)

The cost of food has risen considerably over the last few months and with so many children to feed, (5000) we have had to dig deep into our shallow pockets for the latest delivery of Malawi food staples, maize and beans. As we buy treated foods in bulk, 20 tonne at a time we are limited to a few suppliers in Malawi. Those who have been following the FOMO story for some years, know that we also have vegetable gardens at the centres which help to supplement our food supply. FOMO Chole Microfinance Project ladies have also risen to the challenge by supplying pigeon peas and made a little profit in the process. Food prices are rising on a quarterly basis and we appreciate continued support with this vital service.