More ‘Banana Boxes’ heading to Malawi
Thanks to the overwhelming support of Heriot Primary School families, past and present, together with so many other local well-wishers, Heriot pupils recently had a fun afternoon packing three ‘Banana Boxes’ full of backpacks (34 in all!), 21 pairs of football boots, 3 footballs and numerous sports kits for their partner school (Mpata School) in Luwatala, Malawi. Heriot Primary also donated picture books and ‘Play-Doh’ for the youngest pupils.
A further ‘Banana Box’ is also ready to be sent to the Luwatala community. Members of the Heriot Ladies Group and Fountainhall SWI, together with knitters from as far afield as East Lothian and Paisley, have been very busy knitting baby blankets and hats, and already one box has been filled with beautiful knitwear of all different colours. A second box of baby knitwear will be sent at the end of this year.
These four boxes will begin their journey in late summer, firstly by sea from Scotland to Mozambique, then by land to Malawi, arriving by Easter 2027! Many thanks to all in our community for their generosity in making this possible.
In addition, a donated sewing machine (by Fraser Sim in memory of Nettie) is also about to start the same long journey to the Luwatala Church sewing group, which will be a very welcome addition to their modest resources and help provide income to the women in the group.
Meanwhile, at Mpata School, a new kitchen is being constructed which, in addition to the cooking area, will store maize and provide shelter to the children. After the temporary repair to the existing kitchen this January after stormy weather, a new kitchen is a real bonus. And, at Mpata School like everywhere else in Malawi, end-of-term means exams for all age groups.
Helen Taylor
(Heriot)
