Community project at a village on Lake Malawi

Before our work experience visit to Malawi students raised funds to support projects in the villages where we stayed. One was a nursery on Lake Malawi, run by Janepher and Packson.

Janepher (left) and the women of the village collect water for the nursery

Janepher (left) and the women of the village collect water for the nursery

Water is collected from the lake and boiled before drinking

Water is collected from the lake and boiled before drinking

They e.mailed to thank the group for their support:

We’d like to express our profound thanks and gratitude for your recent visit to Malawi and especially to our school at Mdalachikowa. We felt greatly honored for your decision to visit our school among the so many schools. We really enjoyed the interaction with the team during the two planned days and the kids still have fresh memories of such a wonderful experience. We really appreciate your generous support to our school. Please convey our gratitude to each and everyone in the team with you, we love you people you’ve been so wonderful. May God richly bless you.
Regards, Packson & Janepher

We hope to raise funds to get piped water from the lake to the nursery.

Patricia Lund

I teach on cell biology, human genetics and cancer biology modules in the Department for Applied Sciences & Health (DASH). I have organised a work experience trip to Malawi (first one in August 2014) using contacts and experience from my field work in Africa and started this DASH to Africa blog to engage all our students (and others) in our international engagement.
More about my research: studies on the genetic condition albinism in Zimbabwe, South Africa, Malawi, Zambia and Ghana have been wide reaching with multiple partners and funders. Information has been gathered on the frequency of albinism in different populations, mutations in the gene causing the condition, sun protection strategies adopted to reduce the risk of developing sun induced skin damage, health (especially genetic) care for this vulnerable group, education (mainstream versus special schools) and social perceptions (and misconceptions) about albinism in African communities. These multi-faceted studies have been enriched by collaborations with local albinism associations in Africa and. I have also been privileged to meet many families with albinism.