Mamie Martin Fund

Description

The Mamie Martin Fund (MMF) was established in 1993, to support the education of girls in the secondary schools run by the Synod of Livingstonia, Church of Central Africa Presbytarian in Northern Malawi. In Malawi, the net female secondary enrolment ratio is 23% (UNDP Human Development Report 2006). Therefore, MMF's goal is to enable more young women to complete their secondary schooling and therefore to contribute to the long-term development of their country. To that effect, the Mamie Martin Fund gives direct support to the girls most in need, in the form of bursaries, which cover fees, travel, uniforms, medicines and toiletries where the family is unable to provide for these. The beneficiaries are selected by a local committee composed of the Headteacher, Form Teachers, Matrons, and forwarded to us by the CCAP, our partner.In 2007, MMF is supporting a total of 147 girls in the following 5 secondary schools (on average, 12% of the girls enrolled in each school), an increasing number of whom are orphans: Ekwendeni Girls Secondary School; Bandawe Girls Secondary School; Karonga Girls Secondary School; Livingstonia Secondary School; Robert Laws Secondary School( Embangweni). Besides this core work, MMF also contributes to building lasting infrastructure in all five schools [hostels, teacher's houses, home-economics labs, etc] and the purchasing of material such as text-books, beds, or fuel-efficient stoves.

In 2006, MMF embarked on a new project supported by a grant from the Scottish Executive International Development Fund to develop a school link programme between the five secondary schools in Malawi and five secondary schools in Scotland. The Scottish Schools are Balfron High School, Kinross High School, Falkirk High School, Belmont Academy (Ayr) and Williamwood High School (Glasgow).The vision for this partnership is one of real links, based on mutual respect and learning, thus going beyond simple fundraising and encompassing a new understanding between teachers and young people in both locations. The initial aim of the project is for Scottish and Malawian teachers to travel to their partner schools and take part in each other's teaching, learning and activities. We believe that making direct contact will help making the link real and to keep it alive in the future. In the longer term it is anticipated that deeper mutual understanding will be developed between both regions, and that each Scottish school along with their communities will offer continuing support to their Malawian partners and associated communities therefore making the exchanges sustainable. The first of the reciprocal visits will take place in summer 2007.

MMF has expertise in working in Malawi, fundraising and in negotiating grant applications for developing countries. We are always eager to hear and learn from other organisations engaged in similar work.

 

Areas of Activity

Africa,Europe

Contact

Hazel Dawson
Mamie Martin Fund
11 Harviestoun Road
Dollar
FK14 7HG

Tel: 01259 742827

www.mamiemartin.org

Staff

Scotland: 1

Outside Scotland: 1

Volunteers

Scotland: 0

Outside Scotland: 0

Funders

Individual donors and charitable and other groups with an interest in Malawi. Scottish Executive International Development Fund, Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland, Allan & Nesta Ferguson Charitable Trust.

Membership Type

Member

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