Friends keep on trucking to help needy orphans in Malawi

Walmer Bridge-based charity FOMO (Friends of Mulanje Orphans) organised the collection of clothes, medical equipment, food and education materials, which was loaded into a container for a six-week journey.

FOMO was founded 16 years ago by Mary Woodward, who returned to her homeland for her father’s funeral, having lived in South Ribble with husband Keith since 1984 and witnessed first-hand dozens of orphaned children begging for food.

Since then, the charity has opened 14 centres across the district, providing meals, education and medical help.

Mary said: “We want to thank everyone who has helped donate to our charity, because however big or small the donation, it is going to help these children.

“They rely on us, we’re basically like their parents, and we have to keep these centres running.”

Floods which devastated Malawi in 2015 has led to food inflation of 29 per cent - meaning a bag of maize, the staple food for many in Malawi, now costs more than some Malawians earn in a month.

The floods also caused the collapse of some FOMO centres, which need to be rebuilt.

The supplies will be picked up in Mulanje by a team of volunteers and put to use over the next year.

Anyone interested in helping the charity is asked to visit: www.fomo.co.uk or email: [email protected]