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Concern Team in Malawi - 12 September 2008

A group of Athlone Community College students have just returned from a ten-day trip in Malawi. They were visiting projects in the country run by Concern Worldwide, Ireland's largest aid agency after their victory in the Concern School's Debating Final. They were also joined by students from the Holy Family Community School in Rathcoole, Co Dublin, who were tops in fundraising for the aid agency.

The reward for their hard work was a fact-finding trip to the south eastern African country. They flew to the Malawian capital, Lilongwe, and went straight to Concern's offices in the city.

"I was really struck by the numbers of people walking and cycling on the road as we drove from the airport. You would never see those number of people walking on our roads in Ireland," Ciaran O' Connor from Kiltoom, and a pupil at Athlone Community College recalls.

"We spent the first night in Lilongwe before going to Nkhotakota, which is about a three hour drive north of the capital. We visited a secondary school in Chididi, where we were shown how the students are taught how to grow and care for crops. The school also has a debating team and the day we were there a debate was organised. Our visit to the school was really great and certainly most informative. The students spoke about the advantages of going to school.

"We played them in a football game and alas they beat us 3-2," Ciaran smiles.

"We also visited a Concern health clinic where children are weighed and measured and get a full medical examination. Everywhere we went we received a great welcome and it really was amazing to see the work that Concern is doing on the ground," Ciaran explains. Maura O'Connor, also from Kiltoom, was struck by the poverty she saw.

"But it was strange to see how happy they are. We think we are different and when you think about it we too were colonized and we also experienced famine," Maura explains.

"I really was impressed with the work Concern is doing. We visited a Concern irrigation project at Mpamantha in Nhkotakota District. It really is fantastic. It allows people to grow crops. And they are so proud of what they are doing, the crops they are producing,"
Maura points out.

She realises that the Concern operation is small but she stresses how every single project that helps to lift the spirits of people is so worthwhile. Thomas Keogh, a student at Athlone Community College and from Cornafulla, was particularly impressed with the irrigation project.

"It provides seed for approximately 215 households. The seed is planted in common ground. In all it is about 20 hectares and all the farmers work together. They use a manual foot pump and bring the water from the local river right to the land, using hoses. They are growing mainly maize but also tomatoes and sweet potatoes. It is primarily for their own use but they sell some of it."

"The people are extremely poor. They have nothing but the clothes on their back. They have no electricity. But they are happy and friendly people. Since I came home I have been watching people shopping and buying things they don't need. You know, we don't need half of it.

"Concern is doing a great job and it certainly was a fantastic experience."

All seven pupils and their two teachers were genuinely impressed with the work that Concern is doing and as Chris Forde, a teacher at Athlone Community College points out, so little can make such a huge difference.

"Concern is not 'throwing aid at Africa', rather it is on the ground and involved in schemes it can finance. The template is there," he explains.

Ciaran O' Connor and Bronwyn Reid McDermott visiting a hut in Mkyuna, where children are taking part in a nutrition programme.

Ciaran O' Connor from Athlone Community College, working a pump at the irrigation system at Mpamantha in Nhkotakota District

The Concern team, which played Chididi School and were beaten 2 - 3. Back row from left: Chris Forde, teacher at Athlone Community College; Ciaran O'Connor, Athlone Community College; Darragh Lee, Holy Family Community School, Rathcoole; Thomas Keogh, Athlone Community College; teacher from Chididi Community School; Louise Finan, Concern Malawi; Fionnagh Nally, Concern; Bronwyn Reid Mc Dermott, Athlone Community College; Caoimhe McManus, Athlone Community College. Front row from left: Judith Browne, teacher at Holy Family Community School, Rathcoole; Tissa Chalulu, Concern Malawi; Conor Tiernan, Holy Family Community School, Rathcoole; Grainne O'Brien Concern.

Story published in Westmeath Independent