Category: News

On the same day a fundraising meal was held at the Piatto Verde restaurant in Edinburgh and over £500 was raised. The money was used to buy new mattresses for all the patients.

On 7th September 2013 a fundraising event, Magnolias for Malawi, was held in Glasgow. There was an exhibition of flower arranging, some Indian drumming music and a magic show to end with.

Again, over £500 was raised which went to pay for a 2nd hand motorcycle to enable medical staff to visit surrounding villages where they can treat minor ailments and explain the facts about leprosy in an attempt to de-stigmatise the condition.

On 27th January 2013 LUV hosted a special event to celebrate World Leprosy Day. Local politicians, doctors and teachers came to Utale to hear the patients talk about the realities of leprosy and to hear Fr Francis describe his work at the community. There was traditional singing and dancing and the patients enjoyed a special meal that evening.

On 3rd September 2013 LUV was delighted to host a visit from the President of Malawi, Mrs Joyce Banda. She spent over an hour with the patients, listening to their concerns and offering gifts of blankets and food. Speeches were made by the President, by Fr Francis Kachere who supervises the leprosy community and by the patients elected Headman.

People came from many villages in the surrounding district and after her departure a traditional celebration was held, with special food, drinks, music and dancing. LUV would like to thank Mrs Banda for her visit, which will hopefully be the first of many.