NEWS
The Embassy in Washington DC partners with Delta Sigma Theta, Washington DC Alumnae Chapter to raise funds for Water Development in Malawi
From left to right - Ms. Yvonne Kalumo (First Secretary), Ms. Ellen Walters of Water Advocates, Ambassador Ndilowe, Ms. Natasha Osbourne
On Saturday 22nd May 2010, the Embassy in Washington DC together with the Washington DC Delta Sigma Theta Alumnae chapter hosted a sundowner event at the Malawi House in Potomac Maryland. Despite the rain, friends and supporters of both the organizers, including Malawians resident in the Washington DC metro came out to support the cause.
Guests were served various Malawian appetizers such as mandasi and samoosa as well as some American food. Also on the menu was, the very popular Malawi shandy, Malawi gin and brandy which guests enjoyed whilst being serenaded by some Malawian jazz. Speaking at the event, Ms. Natasha Osborne who is the Chair of the International Awareness and Involvement Committee of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Alumnae committee of the alumnae chapter commended the guests for availing themselves as well as their time to support such a worthy cause. Ambassador Ndilowe, thanked the guests and expressed her heartfelt gratitude on behalf of the people of Malawi for the support being rendered by various partners, especially those that had attended the event.
Water First Reaching the Millennium Development Goals film directed and produced by Amy Hart of Water First was shown, to give guests an insight to the current water situation in Malawi, and how it relates to a number of issues such as hunger, poverty to women’s equality, HIV/AIDS and environmental sustainability. The film featured Mr. Charles Banda a local Malawi fireman turned waterman who runs Fresh Water Project Malawi, a NGO that he set up in 1995 after seeing first hand the plight of nearby villagers who had no access to clean and portable water. Since then Fresh Water Malawi has dug 2,000 borehole wells and more than 5,000 pit latrines. After viewing the thought provoking movie the audience members had many questions relating to key concerns on water and what we can do in America to help with these problems. A representative from Water Advocates was invited to speak on the water issues around the world and she focused not only on clean water but on sanitation and hygiene as key areas for much needed improvements. Ways in which this event will help with these key issues are by the planned donations for three twin pit latrines at a girl’s school in Malawi. The donations received from this event total over $2,000 and which will be donated to water projects in Malawi.
Letters were read from Charles Banda and Amy Hart thanking everyone for their support on these key water issues that are prevalent around the world and more specifically to Malawi.