Few weeks ago a team of ten tourism enthusiasts took a challenge to walk for ten days from Blantyre to Lilongwe to raise funds to facilitate the training of tour guides. Our reporter EDITH GONDWE caught up with team leader for Paulendo Adventures Yangairo Yangairo who shared the insights about the genesis of the idea and how they intend to move forward. Excerpts:
Q
: How did the idea to raise funds for the training of tour guides come about? And what motivated it?
A
: The Idea of fundraising for the guides came about around August. I was on my way going down Mulanje Mountain. The conversation I was having with one of the guides in regards to the guides training prompted me to come up with such an initiative.
Q
: What did it take to plan, execute and fulfil the task of walking from Blantyre to Lilongwe?
A
: When the idea came about, I shared it with friends who embraced it and pushed me to go for it. We had to identify the walkers, we had to do a physical training, we had to travel from Blantyre to Lilongwe and see if the idea was feasible. Eventually we came up with dates and geared up for the challenge.
Q
: Along the way we saw your team changing T-Shirt signaling a number of sponsors. How many companies in total helped out on the way both in cash and kind?
A
: We were selling each day to a sponsor. Sponsors who came on board as we were walking from Blantyre to Lilongwe are TNM Plc, Frost Water, Lilongwe Dairy, Rab Processors, Kukoma, Eco Brick and Blocks. Those I have mentioned are the ones who met our requirements to wear their T-Shirts. Other companies, we just made shout out videos for them. Others we made thank you posters for them. But in total I would say we were supported by more than 15 companies. Both small and big ones.
Q
: On your final day, you were joined by the Vice-President Saulos Chilima and Minister of Tourism and Culture Michael Usi. How significant was their presence?
A
: It was something of great significance to us and a lot of Malawians. It motivated the team a lot, as we were encouraged, we realised that whatever we had embarked on was of great impact and we will be supported through it all. And the Vice-President donating K2.5 million, that was more than a great support to us. We are forever grateful.
Q
: Now that the money has been raised. What’s the next course of action?
A
: At the moment we are in talks with all the stakeholders for the trainings. We are in touch with Teveta, MIT, Red Cross and other training institutions to make sure we come up with a curriculum that is tailor-made for the guides who have different tasks and academic qualifications.
Q
: Who are the other individuals who were part of the team?
A
: We had Ipyana Mkangama,Mudassir Anjum,Chipie Gombwa, Kay De Silva, Charles Chokani, Holmes Banda, Thandiwe Likhawo, Innocent Kaliati and Roderick Phillipo.
We also had a team working from behind the scenes. We had a media team comprising Russell Chimbayo, Spencer Nundwe, Ellington Jambo, Hendrix Kanchowa, Abbas Panjwani, Waliko Makhala and our team doctor Mwenecho.
Q
: Finally, this exercise was meant to raise funds to train tour guides. How crucial are tour guides to the development of our tourism industry?
A
: These are more like the eyes of tourism. They take people to places. They tell people stories about these places. If they are not as informed and properly trained, it is hard for our tourism sector to flourish. There is more in the name guide itself. Hence our interest to get them trained, certify them so that our tourism industry can improve from within.
