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Double the difference you make

Women and girls have the power to bring about positive change in their communities and their own lives when given the skills, opportunities and support they need. This week, from Thursday to Thursday, every pound you donate through our BigGive page will be doubled, paving the way to a brighter future for the girls we support in secondary schools in North Malawi.

Why give? Your donation will be doubled.
When to give? 10th-17th Oct – noon to noon
Where to give? https://donate.biggive.org/campaign/a056900002TPTa5AAH

or search BigGive.org for Mamie Martin Fund 

Thanks to the Big Give for including us in their Women and Girls Match Funding week. Thanks to you, our donors, for doubling your difference this week. 

#WGMF

 

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Hazel is a Kiltwalk star!

On Sunday 15th September, MMF supporter, Hazel McIntyre, joined over 9,000 others to walk the Edinburgh Kiltwalk. Hazel chose the toughest option and she walked 20.5 miles (33 kms). What a great achievement! The weather was favourable so raincoats were not needed but neither was sunscreen. 

Hazel walked with two friends who were fundraising for the Salvation Army – an important charity with a very long history. We were delighted to get a good-luck message from The Salvation Army on Facebook during the day. The walkers travelled from Glasgow to Edinburgh by train and Scotrail wished them luck too, on the socials.

Hazel has raised a whopping £800.00. This will go a long way in Malawi. The total costs of supporting an MMF girl at boarding school is £500.00 for a year and Hazel has exceeded that target magnificently. 

Thanks also to the support team who did the socials and helped in practical ways during the day. These Kiltwalks are amazing events – why not consider joining one next year? Here’s a comment from new MMF volunteer, Francesca, to encourage you:

“Being able to experience the Kiltwalk for the first time in Edinburgh is unforgettable. The environment full of motivation and love is inspiring. I have never seen faces so full of determination not only due to the challenge of the walk but of what they achieved for their desired charity/NGO. I am truly grateful to be able to support those competing and can’t wait to join next year.”

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Being a Trustee for the Mamie Martin Fund

What do you think of when you hear ‘Trustee’? Those old men in top hats in Mary Poppins when there was a run on the bank? Twinsets and pearls and a long shiny table? Read on and I’ll tell you about being a Trustee for the Mamie Martin Fund.

Mariot Dallas

It’s a voluntary role with serious responsibilities. That could be daunting, but the Board is a team, and we work together. Each of us brings our experience and expertise to help make sure the Fund operates in line with our constitution and helps girls in schools in Malawi get their secondary education. We use your donations to pay their fees.

As Trustees, we commit to attending meetings, now mostly on Zoom. We share the responsibility for making sure we have productive and positive discussions and that we spend your donations wisely.

I hope that doesn’t sound dull. It really isn’t. Meeting online means that our Malawian Advisers and our Malawi Country Director can join the meeting. Provided all the tech works well, we can hear firsthand about how your donations are being spent. My favourite times are when we hear about young women who have left school and are making their way in paid work because they have completed their secondary education.

As Trustees, we have decisions to make and reports to approve. For me, the financial oversight part of the role is challenging. Accounts and financial reports don’t speak to me but being part of a team means there is always someone to explain and clarify. As a Board, we talk through financial decisions carefully so that we are using your money responsibly and in line with our constitution.

We have to have a strategic plan, so that we can manage all the various tasks and responsibilities and priorities we have as a Board. The plan is also where we note the evidence to show that we are using our funds appropriately. If you are somebody who likes to break large projects down into manageable tasks, then maybe we could bring your expertise to the Board.

Underpinning all these strands of activity is the process of fundraising, including grant applications. Our Marketing team has responsibility for agreeing fundraising strategy and reports regularly to the Board.

Being a Trustee of the Mamie Martin Fund is never dull and there is a strong likelihood of job satisfaction in this voluntary role. We know that we are making a difference to the young women of Malawi and to future generations. If you are interested in becoming a Trustee, we would love to hear from you!

Mariot Dallas, Trustee

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A poem from Malawi

This poem was written by two of the schoolgirls we support in Malawi. Blandina (16) and Lucia (15) are part of a group being supported by the Lancashire West Methodist Circuit. They are now in Form 3 . Secondary school in Malawi is four years/forms. Their boarding school is just outside Karonga in the North of Malawi and consistently achieves very high academic results. 

The Black Tear

A poem by Blandina Ngoma and Lucia Mbukwa, St Mary’s, Karonga, Malawi

I’m pruned from the poor
even never to reach the moon
which is my fate
yet to arrive late
I’m disposed in the dirty
and never to fulfil my destiny

My hope vanished
my dream became invisible
and I was nothing
yet you made me invincible
rescued me from the uneducated
and straightened my contour
like a gospel singer
I will praise you forever

You are indeed the saviours
to wipe my tears
you brought me to school
took me away from my sweet sorrow
that dug and dragged me below
yet loud and loud
my education calls from the west

‘Donors’
yes, I heard it well
they are here to build me
now blue and white I dress
gather my future to the race
enjoy the sweet of my sweat
and never betray my future.

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“When girls are educated, everything is possible.”

This quote from Chief Theresa Kachindamoto, Ngoni traditional leader in Malawi, sums up the rationale for our work. We support girls’ secondary education in North Malawi by paying their fees. We provide for basic necessities like soap and sanitary wear. These costs are managed locally by our Malawi Country Director, Mercy Sibande.  Each term Mercy visits all of the seven schools which we support. She meets all of the MMF girls there, checks that they are well and provides pastoral and motivational support.

Education is not a luxury but a basic human need. In Malawi 47% of girls are married before age 18, one of the world’s highest rates of child marriage (UNICEF Malawi Annual Report 2022). Chief Kachindamoto, quoted above, is one of the loudest Malawian voices against child ‘marriage’.  Girl children who have been married do not continue with their education. 

On this International Women’s Day we reaffirm our commitment to girls’ education. In this, our 31st, year we are as sure about its importance as ever. When we were established in 1993, the importance of girls’ education was poorly understood. It is now known to be pivotal to the development of any nation. 

We are funded almost completely by individual donations. Thanks for your part in supporting the vital education of these girls. Happy International Women’s Day.

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Reflections of a new Trustee

Phil Wright, a new member of the MMF Board reflects on his journey to here:

“Back in February 2023 my daughter Hannah, who is currently a Mamie Martin Fund volunteer, started to follow MMF on Twitter. And so, the journey to trusteeship began . . .

From that point, MMF followed Hannah back (I think that’s how it works?) and so a link was forged. It was forged to the point of me being registered for the Manchester Marathon to run alongside Han to raise funds for MMF. Marathon duly completed, I contacted Moira (who had been a great encouragement to Hannah) and we met with her and Mercy in Skelmersdale at a brilliant tea-party where Mercy shared news from Malawi. I was hooked!!

Since then, I have joined the incredible team at MMF to help with the oversight of the charity’s work. I have been warmly welcomed and incidentally re-united with a former colleague from Malawi (who ironically used to oversee my work as a headteacher in Zomba, as part of the school’s board of trustees). It has been interesting to learn how the charity works, the impact of the work on the lives of young girls in Malawi and the important role Mercy plays as she engages with the girls at school.

The supporters of MMF are amazing and dedicated in their fundraising and awareness-raising in support of the girls in Malawi, through the imaginative initiatives they undertake.”

Thanks, Phil, your support is much appreciated.

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Triumph for Elena

Elena had a very difficult start in life. Thanks to a local pastor’s wife she was brought to Karonga Girls’ Secondary School in North Malawi in 2016. Passing the entrance exam, she was given a place at the school and was also awarded an MMF bursary. She was a shy and quiet child who looked neglected and much younger than her 16 years. It was wonderful to see her appearance and demeanour changing over the next four years and she became strong and cheerful. However, her father remarried and, during the summer holiday after Elena’s second year at school, her step-mother and brother tried to give her away in marriage. Child marriage, though unlawful, continues to be a real threat to children in rural areas in Malawi.

Old sign at Karonga Girls’ Sec School
Elena in Form 3 with stable and safe accommodation

She escaped early marriage by running away back to school. She travelled alone for nearly 100 kms, asking strangers for help with transport, till she arrived at the home of the lady who had first rescued her. Her courage was rewarded and that become her home during school holidays. Sadly the lady passed away just after Elena finished school. The living situation then became unsafe for Esther who was brave enough to seek help.

Elena did not get grades good enough for university study but she secured a local college place to study for a Diploma. Well-wishers came forward and supported her with accommodation (essential for her safety at that point) and fees. After two years, Elena proudly sent MMF photos of her graduation with a Diploma in Professional Community Development with merit. Many young women in Malawi cope with hardships and barriers. Elena is a shining example of how courage, with some help, can overcome adversity and triumph.

Elena at her graduation in 2023

We are proud to have played a part in Elena’s journey from being an undernourished, frightened child to being a confident, professional woman.

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“Her tomorrow”

Mercy Sibande, MMF Country Director, wishes the One World Shop in Edinburgh a happy 40th birthday in this video. Mercy visited the shop in May this year and shared her first-hand knowledge of the impact of Fairtrade benefits to communities in Malawi. In this video she tells the story of a girl whose family lost everything but the girl can continue at school because of MMF support. 

“She was assured that her transport fare would be paid for to go back to school (as well as fees and basic needs). That gave her hope and excitement to say that she can go back to school. At school now she is working hard in the hope that her future, her tomorrow, […] will change her community, her family plus the Nation as a whole.”

All of us at the Mamie Martin Fund join Mercy in congratulating the One World Shop on its 40th birthday. It’s a huge achievement to have supported Fairtrade producers around the world for all that time. Education is always prioritised by farmers when receiving Fairtrade premiums on their produce sold. We are happy to support the One World Shop in small ways and we appreciate their support of our work on their social media channels. 

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Wide gathering of supporters in Lancashire

Mercy had a very warm welcome in Lancashire

Mercy Sibande, MMF’s Malawi Country Director, is on a mini-tour of supporters in the UK. Last weekend she was in Lancashire where a group of churches supports six MMF girls in Karonga, in the far north of Malawi.

The Lancashire West Methodist ‘Circuit’ of 10 churches held an event at Up Holland on Sunday 21st May. It was open to visitors and turned into a fantastic gathering of MMF supporters. Long-standing MMF supporter, Emyln Evans, travelled 97 miles each way to attend with his wife, Anne. Emyln is pictured pouring over a map of Malawi with Mercy. Our Manchester Marathon runners, Phil and Hannah, came 75 miles to meet Mercy. The event made them want to move back to Malawi, where they lived for many years.

Mercy with Jenny Ashcroft
Mercy with Rev Alex Laing

We were hosted by the Up Holland members, led by Linda Jones. We were the first people to use their new garden and the lovely weather was just right for it. The formal part of the event was led by the Rev Alex Laing. Newly-elected Cllr Sam Riches from Lancaster attended and became our photographer. Thanks Sam! The event was filmed by Derek Ashcroft for sharing with those supporters who were unable to attend. We were honoured to be joined by Michael Tindsley, the Circuit Superintendent.

This MMF-Lancashire West partnership is greatly valued by us and by St Mary’s Secondary School, Karonga. This is one of the best schools in Malawi and the pastoral care of the girls is second-to-none. We were glad to be able to share photos and videos of each of the six girls. Mercy told their stories and answered questions. Her presence in this warm and generous community was much appreciated, as evidenced by this feedback comment,

“How well she speaks and I felt how well she understands the girls. You must feel so pleased and thankful that all the girls are in such great hands. She is an absolute asset to the work of MMF.” [Lancashire West supporter]

Moira & Mercy reporting
Mercy explaining the needs
Discussing Malawi
Lovely food
Great weather and company
A well-earned sit-down for Jenny
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Do one action today for girls’ education

Faith Banda, ex-pupil of MMF

Today is International Women’s Day. One of the major issues in today’s world is that of girls’ access to education. It is easy to be so upset about issues like this, that we feel helpless and hopeless. But you can do one powerful thing today to help girls get an education. You can leave a bequest in your Will to the Mamie Martin Fund or any other organisation which supports girls’ and women’s education around the world.

That’s it. Simple. We provide a template for a codicil on our website. We received a bequest from a long-standing supporter this week and this will enable us to provide a full secondary education for extra pupils in Malawi. What a wonderful legacy. You could be part of a girl’s future too.

The Head Teacher of Kaseye Girls’ Secondary School tells us why we must all support girls’ education: