Aberdeen gives Malabada community 500 life straws
Aberdeen Malawi Partnership Group has given 500 life straws to Malabada community in Ndirande, Blantyre to make shallow wells safe to drink from.
Life straws distil, purify and kill germs in water just like water guard does.
Aberdeen made the donation through Blantyre City Presbytery Partnership Committee of the CCAP Blantyre Synod.
A press release from Fiona Benzie, who visited Malawi in February this year, indicated that during her visit she was taken to Malabada CCAP Health Centre where she found people drinking from shallow wells.
“We had many concerts and coffee mornings, swimming marathon and water quiz to raise money. We received overwhelming response and raised £12 000 (K6.2 million).
“Frank Olsen from South Africa bought us the 500 life straws and shipped them to Malawi for the Malabada Health Centre,” said the press release.
General Secretary for CCAP Blantyre Synod Reverend Alex Maulana thanked the Aberdeen Malawi Partnership Group Committee for sponsoring the life straws, saying water is life and it spiritually refers to Holy Spirit.
“We want to thank our partners in Aberdeen for giving us the life straws because these will reduce water-borne diseases in our synod. Today we are presenting a gift of life to Malabada community from Aberdeen,” said Maulana.
Presbytery Clerk for Blantyre City Reverend Baxton Maulidi, who was coordinating with the Aberdeen Malawi Partnership Group, saluted their counterpart and said: “Friend in need is a Friend Indeed”.
“As presbytery, it is our belief that these life straws will be used for their intended purpose and not to be sold. You cannot sell life but rather keep it safe,” said Maulidi.
Village Head Chejine said she was overwhelmed with this gesture and had little to say.
“God should bless you Blantyre Synod for this gesture. It is a donation of life. I ask the Synod not to stop from here, we need more help from you,” said the village head.
Blantyre Health Medical Officer Dr Alexander Teleka said the donation would curb water-borne diseases, thereby easing work for Malabada Health Centre employees as diarrheal cases would be reduced.
