VZW PROJECT MALAWI
(non profit organisation)
Neerbroek 36
2070 Zwijndrecht
Jacobs Jose - 0474/535639
e-mail: info@projectmalawi.be
of contact us by form
website: www.projectmalawi.be
Account: KBC 733-0237697-77
The non profit organisation PROJECT MALAWI was founded on 30 October
2004 and its main goal is “to develop, create and support,
financially and economically some small scale projects in Malawi as
far as education, healthcare, housing and general wellfare are
concerned”.
The VZW is a private initiative and has been founded by some friends
who have been helping out for a number of years. By combining forces
we were able to support projects for a longer period.
History
Since a number of years the members of the VZW have supported
Malawi. They incidentally got to know the country and its people
during a holiday trip.
In November 1999 José Jacobs, the president of the VZW,
joined a travel organisation “Strange Continents” on an exploration
trip to Malawi. The destination was unique and the travel route as
well as the way they travelled offered the opportunity to get to
know a completely different culture and completely different people
in an authentique way. Without exaggerating, it’s fair to say that
the people who took part experienced the poverty of the local
population from close by, but also and most of all the hospitality,
warmheartedness and joy these people have.
Malawi is in principal a very poor country with only limited
Western comfort. Outside the town people still live in clay huts,
often without electricity, water or any other supplies. The few
hospitals (or what has to be one) usually do not have enough
medication.
The
home base of the exploration trip (which still is our home base) is
the establishment of Mr. and Mrs. Stuart and Esther Grant.
Stuart Grant is an Englishman, an “ex-patriot” who as a young man at
the time of the protectorate of the country by the UK looked for
adventure in Malawi. As so many also he lost his heart in Africa and
made his life there. Together with his wife Esther Grant whom he met
there, he runs a nice company specialised in the international
export of tropical fish (ciclids from Malawi, well known by aquarium
enthusiastics). This way he provides employment for several local
families. His wife Esther Grant is actively committed to the needs
of her people and started several local development initiatives.
During
this first tour, we got to know some families. As of the first
contact we felt really close. Soon we decided to help these
families. The first help we provided consisted in paying the tuition
for one of the children. Cost was only €10 but the joy and happiness
we received in return was too much for words.
This made a deep impression on José Jacobs who has closed
this country and its population in her heart. Ever since she’s
returned once a year to Malawi.
Initially the support consisted of material and financial support of
some families. As she visited Malawi more and more, she also got
more insight in the the needs of the population and the way she
could help them best. She also got to know local initiatives that
were really worth while supporting.
After
a number of trips she decided to have some friends get acquainted
with this peculiar country. They were very enthusiastic and some of
them also lost their heart in Malawi.
Ever since we have dedicated ourselves to Malawi.
In October 2004 we decided to give some structure to the
organisation which was formed by its members. The non profit
organisation “Project Malawi” was born.
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