On Monday 31 October, we welcomed Claire Collins from charity Open Arms Malawi to school. Claire led an assembly with our pupils to talk about the important work the charity does to support babies, children and young adults in Malawi.
Malawi is one of the world’s poorest countries with a population, which is expected to reach 23 million by 2025. Maternal mortality rates are among the highest in the world and about 10 women die every day through childbirth. In 1995, the very first Open Doors Infant Home opened and in 2000, Open Arms Malawi set up as a registered UK charity and funding trust for Open Arms Infant Homes. Since 1995, the single infant home has expanded to two infant homes, five family homes, nine nursery schools and an outreach program that covers the whole of southern Malawi.
In 2007, Richmond House was established in Malawi thanks to the generous fundraising of Richmond House School. It became home to six children who came to Open Arms as infants because they were orphaned.
We are keen to continue supporting the essential work of the charity and have committed to raising funds initially through our Christmas activities this term. These include our Christmas Jumper Day, Christmas Service and school council stall at the Christmas Fair. We then hope to plan some other exciting fundraising projects for next year and beyond.
“Richmond House School has worked with Open Arms Malawi for the past 20 years. We have always had such a fantastic partnership with the school, so it was a real pleasure to return to the school to speak with the pupils in their assembly about the work of the charity. I can’t wait to see what future fundraising activity takes please to help the important work we do in Malawi.”
Claire Collins, UK Operations – Open Arms Malawi.
We would like to thank Claire for her time and for coming to speak to our pupils. She gave everyone lots to think about and we look forward to continuing our relationship with Open Arms Malawi for many years to come.
