Archive

CHRISTMAS 2004

Christmas with the street children was really great! We counted on 250 children, but only 170 children where there. Despite this, we really have had a good time. First there was a video (the lion king), which they enjoyed very well. After this the children went outside to play all kinds of games. Especially the disco, in the afternoon, was a huge success. All the children,big and small, where dancing with the staff members. All these happy faces, a fantastic thing to see! Also the football match, the next day, was nice. The winner had to play the staff, which the children really liked.

Next to all these nice activities, the children had a nice meal of chicken and rice and several snacks. They all got ‘new' clothes, which were donated by international primary schools.

At the end of the day, the staff members had a hard time getting all the children to sleep!

I think we all agree that the Christmas party with the street children was very successful this year. Hopefully it will be the same next year!

SCHOOL CHILDREN RAISING FUNDS BY SALES OF FLOWER BULBS

During the past months children from the Adalbert Primaty School have sold the famous Dutch flower bulbs with the purpose to raise funds for the Samaritan Trust and for a project in Ethiopie. Two students, Suzanne and Stijn, will personally go to Malawi to visit The Samaritan and present the donation! The donation will be used for the development of Bangwe centre. To all children of the school we say "ZIKOMO KWAMBIRI!" (thank you very much!) Read more on the website of the school: www.adalbertbs.nl

NEW SPORTS OUTFIT (19th August 2004)

In July two Dutch friends, Edwin Hogendorf and Sven Roeleven, traveled to Malawi and saw the project of the Samarian. They brought nice sport outfits from two korfball clubs, namely Fortuna/Tempus Delft and Futura Den Haag to motivate the children in their sport activities. For nice pictures and more info, please check the website below: http://www.fortuna-korfbal.nl/nieuws/nieuws.asp?article=463

DONATION SCHOOL LEAVERS VLIERMEENT PRIMARY SCHOOL

On the 30th of June 04 the Standard 8 students from the Dutch primary school "De Vliermeent" in the Hague came up with a big surprise. Instead of the common practise of giving a donation to the school the leave, they presented a cheque of 250 Euro designated for new clothes for the children of Samaritan Trust. Dear children of Vliermeent, thank you very much for this great gesture!

BICYCLE PROJECT

Early 2003 the Dutch foundation “Stg. Harrie van der Brekel” offered The Samaritan to assist in the establishment of a Bicycle Repair Course. They got in touch with DSM, who offered to assist financially with sending two containers, full with tools, second hand bicycle's and spare parts. The company "Firma Automaterialen Heuts" from the Dutch town Hoensbroek joined DSM the financing of the project as well as the donation of tools.

On the 22 nd of June 04 the containers arrived, after a long struggle, on the campus of the skills training centre. The off loading was an exciting job, which needed a lot of hands. The boys were eagerly assisting and showed a great interest in the bicycles. Br. Harrie Stoffelen came with his forklift truck to off load the containers from the truck.

Next phase of the project is to roof the space in between the two containers to create a working space, whilst the containers will serve as storage.

Excitement when opening the container!

UNILEVER DONATION

On the 19th of June 04 Unilever Malawi came to the premises of The Samaritan Trust to make a donation towards three organisation's working with and for the youth. Chisomo Children's Club, AYISE and The Samaritan Trust gathered together to receive their donation of Unilever. Before UNILEVER handed over their donation, the three football teams of the organisations played a small tournament on the new football ground. Despite the cold weather, the children enjoyed the games and played with full enthusiasm, won by Chisomo. The Samaritan Trust received lots of items, varying from soap to tea-leaves.

Mrs. Tembo from Unilever presents the donation to Chris Mwase, Director of The Samarian Trust.

VOLLEYBALL CLINIC

For several years Ton and Ria Epping from the Netherlands have been assisting various projects in Malawi , among which Samaritan is one of them. Ton, who is a qualified volleyball coach, came up with the idea to give some volleyball training to the children. The idea grew with time and it resulted in a two weeks volleyball clinic on the new Samaritan sports ground for 15 teachers from various schools in the Southern region of Malawi . The Volleyball Association of Malawi joined Ton and Samaritan in the organisation of the event. The clinic was a great success, circulation volleyball, a game especially for young children has been introduced. After the clinic all participants received balls to use whilst training their students.

Lots of action during the circulation volleyball practical training!

NEW SPORTS COMPLEX AT THE SKILLS CENTRE

End of January Nico Laan from the Netherlands went to Austria to ice skate three times the "alternatieve elfstedentocht", a Dutch famous ice skate event. Nico Laan completed 600 kilometers in 3 days under extreme wheather conditions. Nico had asked friends to sponsor him for this challenge so he could assist Samaritan in realising a sports complex. Wilde Ganzen promised to top up the money raised by Nico. Nico, first of all, managed to complete his ice skating challenge and on top of that he raised the amazing amount of 15.000 Euro for the sports complex.

In March the work on the complex started, a D6 Dozzer had to be hired to do the rough work, finished by a grader for proper levelling. Poles and goals for football, netball and volleyball were ordered. Martin Ryan from New Zealand who visited The Samaritan for three weeks helped in the placement of poles, goals and drawing of lines. The result so far is great and daily children from both The Samaritan as the surrounding are fully using and enjoying the facilities. Soon the construction of the basketball court will start. In the rain season we hope to apply black soil and plant grass on the grounds.

ICE SKATING FOR AFRICA

Nico Laan, a sportive Dutch man contacted The Samaritan in 2003 with a wonderful offer. All along the children of Samaritan have been demanding for sport facilities. The majority of kids love to play sports, number one obvious, is football, but being introduced to athletics, volleyball and table tennis, the kids have broaded there scope. The staff of Samaritan has experienced that sports is the ideal tool to assist in behavioural changes as well as a way to attract street children to leave the streets. Despite available land, the Samaritan Campus is lacking proper sport-facilities and that's where Nico's offer comes in.

He has his own challenge, namely to ice - skate 600 kilometres in 3 days! We are confident he will make it and wish him good luck during the race! When Nico heard of Samaritans wish for a sport complex he decided to make his ice skating challenge a fundraise activity for The Samaritan to help realising the sport complex. click here to see the flyer and read how you can help Nico raising funds for the sports complex!

CHRISTMAS PARTY 2003

On Christmas day, The Samaritan traditionally prepared a big party for all kids of the centres as well as all kids still found on the streets. In all corners of town children were eagerly waiting to be picked for the party. After all the kids reached the Skills centre, sport activities started varying from apple happing to the traditional football match between staff and kids.

From the games all 240 kids were served a special lunch, rice, chicken and a bottle of Fanta for each! Thereafter the highlight of the day, were all children were looking forward to, the DISCO. Five hours, without any break the children danced the roof of the hall.

We thank all donors and well wishers for making the party possible, once again it was a great and unforgettable Christmas party for the kids, zikomo kwambiri!

In the latest news we shall give updates about developments, building progress and activities taking place. Check regular for the latest news!

GOOD PERFORMANCE AT NATIONAL ATHLETICS COMPETITION!

After several qualifying tournaments, two members of The Samaritans Athletics Club qualified for the finals in Lilongwe . Chitani Matiki (16 years) became number 9, in the 5 km race, which he completed at 16 minutes 45,11 seconds. Lawrence Tchayatchaya, our staff member and trainer/coach took position 6 on the 10 km track, which he did in  32 minutes 11,01 seconds. He is preparing to run a marathon on 26 July!Well done, guys!

WATERPROJECT SKILLSCENTRE

At The Skills Centre we are working on a water project, which includes the drilling of a borehole, a (temporarily) hand pump, a water tank and irrigation, see the progress!

Drilling of the borehole / The hand pump

Construction of the 6 meter tower for the water tank for gravity fed irrigation and supply to the Skills Centre