A few words from Robyn Lyall who visited FOCHTA in Malawi last year
Hello my name is Robyn Lyall. I just want to take two minutes to tell you how FOCHTA is contributing to raising orphans out of the poverty cycle and supporting them to be future citizens. I was privileged to go and see the work being done by the FOCHTA in Malawi in July 2015. It was an honour to meet the staff, board members, volunteers and students and experience the energy and optimism radiated by all.
Despite the distances of some beneficiaries from the office at the new Vocational Training Centre, they are all supported over and above the supplying of school fees, calculators and shoes. FOCHTA also monitors living conditions and beneficiaries are encouraged to communicate any issues that they may be having. For example while I was there the damage to a student’s roof caused by a recent storm was repaired by FOCHTA. Another example of FOCHTA’s support is a student was found to have one outfit. He was given some warm clothes and a blanket by FOCHTA. In some cases beneficiaries just needed a person to talk a concern through with.
FOCHTA organises tutorials and the occasional social events to support the beneficiaries. I was pleased to read of the Christmas day event organised by FOCHTA where students went to the Mangunda Health Centre to boost the morale of the sick and assisted to clean up the premises. Events like these encourage the beneficiaries to not only receive but to contribute to the community.
During my visit I was happy to see this grassroots charity was well organised. Further that they were constantly looking at new initiatives to holistically support the beneficiaries through not only their secondary and chosen tertiary education but also to develop a sense of community and belonging. I believe all of us FOCHTA supportersd are contributing to a worthy project.