mary's meals extra - issue 7

eexxttrraae-magazine for mary’s meals supporters

Issue no 7 - September 2010

NNeeww sscchhooooll tteerrmmIInn MMaallaawwiiMMaarryy’’ss MMeeaallss tteeaamm pprreeppaarreess

wweellccoommeeWelcome to the September issue of Mary’s Meals Extra, ourquarterly e-bulletin designed for supporters who would likeregular news updates from Mary's Meals. It is aimed particularlyat those who fundraise and spread the word about our work. Wehope that you will find it a useful resource and choose to keephold of your copy (feel free to photocopy, use, or republish any ofthe contents).

If you are interested in Mary's Meals news between issues, wewould encourage you to sign up to our pages on Facebookwww.facebook.com/marysmeals and Twitter at -www.twitter.com/marysmeals which are updated on an almostdaily basis with overseas, UK and fundraising news, as well as tokeep an eye on our website www.marysmeals.org

IInn tthhiiss iissssuueeThis issue includes an update on our work in Malawi, whereschools have just returned for the start of a new academic year.Fiona and Eilidh, two of our university volunteers, visited projectsthere just before the schools summer break and write about theirexperiences of a backpack distribution and an under sixescentre. We have also included the story of Rafi, a young womanwho lives in our children's home in Romania, who has recentlyhad her life turned around by an operation.

Some big news at Mary's Meals over the summer was Magnus'nomination as a CNN Hero. This led to a film about our workbeing made and broadcast across the US company'sinternational television networks - with lots of positive effectsthat are described on page 17.

Of course, none of our work would be possible without oursupporters' incredible fundraising efforts, and this issueincludes the stories of the volunteers who helped at the StNinian's Day Parade in Edinburgh, the congregation whoorganised a 'poverty meal' in Abu Dhabi, and the young manwho walked all the way to Jerusalem in support of Mary's Meals.

Of course, you don't have to walk 2,000 miles to help Mary'sMeals. Every time you fill a backpack, put a coin in our collectionbox, or tell a friend about the charity, you are doing somethingimportant to help us provide some of the world's poorestchildren with a meal a day in their place of education.

TThhaannkk yyoouu..

mary’s meals extra e-magazine for supporters page 1

KKeeyy FFiigguurreess

ALBANIA 570BOSNIA 50

BURMA 290HAITI 13,980INDIA 3,160

KENYA 17,110LIBERIA 23,950

MALAWI 351,600PHILIPPINES 1,420

ROMANIA 35SUDAN 2660

THAILAND 1,200UGANDA 3,300

UKRAINE 520ZAMBIA 290

Global Total = 420,135

Number of children receiving a daily meal in their place of

education at September 2010

Total number of children receiving a daily meal in school = 420,135

Average cost of Mary’s Meals perchild per year= £9 / €10 / $13.50

Cost of Mary’s Meals per child,per year in Malawi= £6.15/€7.16/$10.10

Number of backpacks sent overseas in 2010 = 30,360


PPrroojjeecctt NNeewwss


AA nneeww aaccaaddeemmiicc yyeeaarr bbeeggiinnss iinn MMaallaawwii

It’s a time of hustle and bustle as the team in Malawi gets ready forthe start of a new school term. School feeding shelters have to becleaned and supplies replenished. Truck loads of firewood andLikuni Phala have to be delivered to all the schools. It’s enough tomake the logistics team pull their hair out.

Monitors are experiencing a lull before the storm hits when theywill be frantically running around checking on enrolment figuresand other monitor-like duties. At the same time, new monitors whohave recently joined the team are learning to ride and we can hearand see them tottering along on their motorbikes across the road.

The warehouse team is already busy preparing little gift bags forthe Christmas parties we have for our under-six centres. Meanwhile,in the office, excitement is in the air as plans are put together tostart building twenty new feeding shelters in schools aroundsouthern Malawi.

Despite the frantic moments we undergo before schools open wehave still managed to fit in a few adventures. One trip that wasparticularly memorable was a trip to the Mulanji district (famousfor Mulanji Mountain – one of the highest mountains in Africa).We were on a mission to check whether rocket stoves (the fuelefficient stoves used to prepare children's porridge) needed to bereplaced in several schools.

The job itself was routine, but visiting these schools in remote ruralcountryside made it all worthwhile. Expecting schools to bedeserted, it was quite a surprise to find that some of these schoolshave children playing nearby, and even to find ashes in theshelters, indicating that the schools are very much in the heart ofa village community. Children were always excited and curious tosee what we had come to do at their school.

As we were driving back toBlantyre with the loomingpresence of the Mulanjimountain, I couldn’t help butenvy the beauty andserenity of the naturethe children aresurrounded by, andwhat they wake upto and see everyday out of theirclassroomwindows. Not allof us can boastof our own islandin the sky.

FFaarrhhaannnnaa IIssmmaaiilljjooiinneedd tthhee tteeaamm iinnMMaallaawwii tthhiiss ssuummmmeerr..SShhee lliivveess iinn BBllaannttyyrree..

All roads lead to theisland in the skyBy Farhaana Ismail, Mary's Meals Communications Officer in Malawi

School with a view



SSOOMMEETTHHIINNGGffoorr tthhee lliittttllee oonneessFiona Vallance was Mary's Meals' volunteer fundraiser atGlasgow university last year. She visited our projects inMalawi this summer. Below, she writes about her experienceof an under-sixes feeding centres.

Our first visit was to the under-six centre at St Mary's Chenussaschool in Blantyre. The centre is classified as urban, but it wasstill a 20-minute drive from Blantyre city centre and the roads toget there were rough and bumpy. I was overwhelmed by thesmell, especially of dried fish.

When we entered the centre, the teachers rounded up thechildren. I was surprised by how obedient they were - theyimmediately all gathered on the stone floor to sit and entertaintheir visitors. The majority of children were orphans who had noparents or material possessions. Their feet were bare andhardened by their lack of shoes and despite their immediatesmiles, on close inspection it was clear to see that thesechildren were suffering from the lack of clean water, housingand food at home.

I met one boy who at first glance looked like a normal, healthychild, but when we got the opportunity to communicate withhim closely I could see how flaky and damaged his scalp wasand how brittle and yellow his teeth were. The children spokeChichewa, one of Malawi’s main languages, but had beenlearning English and recited the alphabet to us, as well as thedays of the week and the months of the year.

Afterwards, they all jumped to their feet and sang songs aboutthe different parts of the body, along with the actions; "shakeyour head," they chanted and they blew us kisses. The teachersselected different children to play out the actions. As well aslearning, they seemed to be enjoying themselves.

The children then played a game called 'Adam and Eve'. Oneboy and one girl were selected and blindfolded, then they hadto catch each other whilst the other children gathered around ina circle to watch and laugh. These children were all under theage of six and despite their circumstances they appeared to befunctioning very well – I believe because of the work of Mary’sMeals.

Whilst the children had been singing and dancing, thevolunteers had been cooking up the likuni phala (preparing thisnutritious porridge actually took a long time, as the volunteershad to stir for hours to get the food to the right consistency).The children were then told that their likuni was going to beserved and they sat in rows and patiently waited.

I asked one of the teachers when the last time that the childrenhad eaten was, and she claimed to not know - we were visitingon a Monday and there was a chance that the children had noteaten since the last time that the under 6 centre was open,which was the Friday. They sat quietly while I was given thehonour of serving it. I felt really conscious as I was serving each

bowl, because I knew that the food I was giving out wasliterally a lifeline, and I couldn't help but feel responsibleand determined to make sure that every child was given aportion in equal measure.

Many of the children we met were orphans whose guardianshave several other children to feed, so they really relied onthe food that Mary's Meals provided. Once the bowls werelined up, we gave them to the children and they sat anddevoured the food. While the children ate, the Mary's Mealsmonitor Regina checked every child's attendance. If a childwas off sick, she asked about their whereabouts and health- every child was a vital member of the class and not justanother number.

Mary's Meals make sure that the children at the under sixcentres get two meals a day; likuni phala in the morning andNsima and relish in the afternoon. The volunteers at theunder 6 centre's told me about how vital it was that theyounger children got two meals a day. At such a young age,child development can only occur with the nutrients andvitamins that food like Mary's Meals delivers. If the childrenare learning at the under 6 centres, then they have thebuilding blocks which are needed to enter primary school atthe right level and will have the opportunities to reallyeducate themselves and go onto lead fulfilling lives.

Regina told me that the children with HIV/AIDS are alsomonitored and given the supplement sibusisa for extravitamins to ensure that they are not at even more of adisadvantage.The next under-six centre that we visited wasLapani, a rural school so far from 'civilisation' that Iwondered how Mary's Meals had ever found them, but once



again the monitors seemed very clued up on the children andtheir circumstances. We arrived in time for lunch and were metwith open arms by the volunteers, whilst some of the youngerchildren were suspicious of us 'mzungu's' (white people). Thebabies had never seen white girls before and it was odd to feellike a minority when I have always been used to being in themajority.

Before lunch was served we gave the children gifts from home.I was overwhelmed by the children's excitement at the smallestof gestures. I met a little boy who had the most beautiful smileand I gave him a tennis ball to play with. He had no idea whatto do with the ball and it took me ten minutes to try tointroduce him to the concept of throwing and catching.

By the time he had grasped this, I demonstrated how the ballbounced and this surprised him even more. I couldn't help butwonder what a 6-year-old British boy would think of a 6-year-old Malawian boy in a pink jumper, unaware of the funproperties a ball had to offer.

We gave the children colouring in books and coloured pencilsand once again they didn't understand what they weresupposed to do with these strange tools. Once I showed them,they were entertained and kept colouring in until lunch wasserved - eager to show me what they had achieved. They allshared the toys and were looking out for one another.

Lunch, consisting of nsima and vegetable relish was served bythe incredible volunteers, who were feeding the children whilstcarrying one or more of their own babies on their backs. The volunteers wanted no thanks for their help but insteadthanked us for coming which seemed insignificant comparedwith the work they do on a daily basis. When we asked why

they volunteered they stated their love for Mary's Mealsand what it has given to the children of their community.

TThheeyy iinnssiisstteedd tthhaatt wwiitthhoouutt MMaarryy''ss MMeeaallss,,cchhiillddrreenn''ss ffuuttuurreess wwoouulldd bbee aa lloott lleessss cceerrttaaiinn aanndd tthhaatt tthhee uunnddeerr 66 cceennttrreess aallllooww tthhee cchhiillddrreennttoo ppllaayy,, ffeeeedd,, lleeaarrnn aanndd iinntteerraacctt.. IIff tthheerree wweerree nnooffeeeeddiinngg pprroojjeeccttss,, tthhee cchhiillddrreenn wwoouulldd hhaavvee nnoossttrruuccttuurree,, rroouuttiinnee oorr nnoorrmmaalliittyy iinn tthheeiirr lliivveess..

AA WWaarreehhoouussee WWeellccoommeeEEiilliiddhh CCaammppbbeellll wwaass tthhee MMaarryy''ss MMeeaallss vvoolluunntteeeerr ffuunnddrraaiisseerr aatt EEddiinnbbuurrgghh UUnniivveerrssiittyy llaasstt yyeeaarr.. SShhee vviissiitteedd MMaallaawwii tthhiiss ssuummmmeerr aanndd hheellppeedd wwiitthh tthhee ddiissttrriibbuuttiioonn ooff bbaacckkppaacckkss..

We arrived at Mary's Meals headquarters on our first day in Malawito find lots of people buzzing around and a sunny feel to the place.About six staff were at work sorting through backpacks, preparing todistribute 4,000 in the north of the country the following week. Thewarehouse was pretty full when we saw it, ready to be emptied andfilled again with new bags from the UK and elsewhere. We metFlorian, who is in charge of the warehouse, for the first time, andwere excited to discover that we would get the chance to join himand a couple of the other warehouse staff distributing backpacks toa small school in Blantyre.

After leaving the main road, the pick-up took us over some prettybumpy pot-holed roads to get to the school. As we drove up to theschool, crowds of children ran towards the car, shouting ‘Mzungu!Mzungu!’ This was slightly intimidating the first time it happenedbut we became quite used to it.

Before going into the school we met the volunteers cooking likuniphala, a maize porridge which is locally produced in Malawi. Theyhad been there for hours stirring away, but carried on patiently andcarefully.

The classrooms were bare and not all of the children had seats ordesks. Florian spoke to the children in Chichewa (the first languagefor most of them) and asked them to hold up their currentbackpacks. Many of the children had battered plastic bags or no bagat all, and it was clear the school itself did not have sufficientclassroom equipment.

Florian explained what the children would find in their bags and toldthem that they must take great care of the contents, and shouldcome to school every day and work hard. He also told them wherethe bags came from and explained that school children in Scotlandhad put together the bags for them.

Each item that Florian announced got a HUGE cheer from the class.We understood ‘soap’ and ‘toothbrush’ (inside most of thebackpacks are pencils, notebook, soap, toothbrush and toothpaste,towel, clothing, sometimes shoes and other stationary, and a fewhave small tennis or foam balls).

Fiona and I then helped to hand out the backpacksEven the way each child held out their hands and clutched the backpack close to them to carry themback to their seats, demonstrated how important they were tothem. It was pretty fantastic to watch and help them investigate the contents, but all too soon we had to leave.


10 years ago, nobody thought that we would witnessmiracles at Iona House. And yet, this is the place wherethe dreams of many children, forgotten by their parentsand society, become reality.

When we opened Iona House children’s home, we hopedand believed that we could make a few children’s liveseasier. We wanted to provide them with a home, to giveback some of the joy of a childhood that they had neverhad until then. None of us expected or even dare to hopefurther ahead.

Last year, we celebrated when we saw three of the girlswho had grown up here in their wedding dresses, and wethought that we could not hope for more. But miracles arecontinuing to happen. Rafi, a girl whose leg wascompletely twisted, and who could hardly walk, today hasa straight leg. Very shortly, she will be able to walk as wedo. After a very difficult surgery at one of the mostprestigious orthopaedic clinics in the U.K., Rafi has seenher dream come true - she will be able to walk like othergirls of her age. She will dream and one day she will love.

Rafi’s return home was an unforgettable moment for us.The young people with whom she had confronted so manyobstacles, the staff, who had taught her how to be lovedand to give love, and friend from outside of Iona House

who had encouraged and comforted her, were all inthe house cheering with tears in their eyes.

Rafi is a winner and she is ours. To us she is a smallangel who teaches us an extraordinary lesson - you cancome through the most awful circumstances in this life–to be abandoned of the parents who had a duty tolove and shelter you, to have one twisted and helplessleg, to have ill health because of the negligence ofthose who were supposed to take care of you - and stillovercome your condition with dignity and continue tohope!

Bravo Rafi, you are extraordinary, we love you and weare so proud of you. We want to thank those whohelped Rafi's dream to become reality and especiallyMary’s Meals/SIR, FRODO kids, the surgeons and allthe medical staff from Nuffield Orthopaedic Hospitalin Oxford, E.ON Romania and our staff and friends.

We have been the witnesses of extraordinary events atIona House and we know we haven't seen them all. Ibelieve that this place, perceived by some as a sadplace, is actually somewhere where God alwayssmiles.

RRaaffii’’ss RReettuurrnnIIbboollyyaa UUnngguurr iiss tthhee DDiirreeccttoorr ooff IIoonnaa HHoouussee,, oouurr cchhiillddrreenn’’ss hhoommee iinn RRoommaanniiaa.. TThhiiss ssuummmmeerr sshhee ttrraavveelllleedd ttoo BBrriittaaiinn wwiitthhRRaaffii,, aa tteeeennaaggeerr uunnddeerrggooiinngg aa lliiffee--cchhaannggiinngg ooppeerraattiioonn.. BBeellooww,, IIbbii wwrriitteess aabboouutt RRaaffii’’ss jjoouurrnneeyy,, ffrroomm aa lliittttllee ggiirrllaabbaannddoonneedd iinn oonnee hhoossppiittaall,, ttoo aa yyoouunngg wwoommaann ssttaarrttiinngg aa nneeww pphhaassee ooff hheerr lliiffee aafftteerr vviissiittiinngg aannootthheerr..



WWIITTHH TTHHAANNKKSSffrroomm UUggaannddaa

TThhaannkkss ttoo yyoouurr ddoonnaattiioonnss,, MMaarryy’’ss MMeeaallss rreecceennttllyy sseenntt aaccoonnttaaiinneerr ffiilllleedd wwiitthh bbaacckkppaacckkss ttoo UUggaannddaa.. WWee rreecceeiivveeddsseevveerraall tthhaannkk yyoouu lleetttteerrss aafftteerr tthheeyy wweerree ddeelliivveerreedd aannddwwaanntteedd ttoo sshhaarree tthheeiirr ccoonntteennttss wwiitthh oouurr ssuuppppoorrtteerrss..

“With these gifts you have freed ourminds to obtain more knowledge.”

Mother Angioletta Primary School (Gulu district)

“These textbooks were received witha great deal of enthusiasm and grati-tude by all the community of inBukedea.”

St John’s College Kachumbala

“As this is a newly opened mixed secondary school the donation istimely and extremely useful!”

Leo Atubo College (Negetta, Lira)

SSttuuddyyiinngg ffoorr ssoommeetthhiinngg bbiiggAt school, English classes were taking place. Thechildren were reading aloud from their books andwhen Sister arrived they were eager to show her whatthey could do. They had been reading a poem whichstarted ‘Donkey, donkey’ and kept shouting ‘Sister,sister…Donkey, donkey’. She laughed at them andthey were very pleased.

She then asked a little girl called Safiya if she wouldmind answering a few questions. Safiya was veryhappy to be chosen and Sister Lizzy said that all theothers were jealous. They kept running up to our tablethroughout the interview asking if they could go next.Safiya was not in her uniform that day because it wasbeing cleaned.

Sister Lizzy explained that it was Safiya’s grandmotherwe had met with the wee boy who was her brother. Shewas very proud to be able to spell her name to me inEnglish. Like her mother and her grandmother, she isa rubbish collector and lives in the slum, near therailway. She had gone to a different school oncebefore, but had to stop to care for her brother. Healthcare workers persuaded her family to let her return toSister Lizzy’s school, as she would also havesomething to eat (Mary's Meals) every day there.

Safiya told me that she loves to play, study and to eat,especially her favourite food, which is fish. She says itfeels good to have a full stomach. On her first day atschool she was happy because she had a chance to bewith the other children and a chance to come tolessons. ”I would like to become big,” (something big)she said. “I want to be a doctor.”

GGiilllliiaann MMccMMaahhoonn iiss PPrroojjeecctt DDeevveellooppmmeenntt OOffffiicceerr ffoorrMMaarryy’’ss MMeeaallss.. SShhee wwrriitteess aabboouutt hheerr mmeeeettiinngg wwiitthhSSaaffiiyyaa,, aa lliittttllee ggiirrll wwhhoo wwoorrkkss aass aa rruubbbbiisshh ccoolllleeccttoorriinn KKoollkkaattaa,, IInnddiiaa

I visited the Mary's Meals project in Kolkata with SisterLizzy, one of the Holy Cross Sisters who run the school, anthree-room apartment on the third floor of a smallbuilding. When I arrived the entrance hall was full ofchildren who gave me a beautiful floral garland.

The girls who come here have never been to school andthe main aim of the project is to enable them to move intoformal education. Their parents are street people who livein slums which are regularly destroyed by the police.Before coming to the school many work as rag-pickers orbeggars.

Sister Lizzy explained that this school focuses on girlsbecause there is a gap between educational opportunitiesfor boys and girls in India, as girls are often needed to stayat home and help provide a family income. For almost allof the children, the lunch time meal provided by Mary’sMeals will be the only food that they receive that day. At12.30 I watched them line up patiently with their metalbowls to be served curry and rice. The school tries to varythe diet for the children so they receive a combination ofchicken, soya beans, dahl and fish.

I commented on how happy and well behaved the pupilsappeared, and Sister told me that it was not like that atthe start. New pupils can struggle because they are notused to routine and they miss the freedom they had on thestreet. It takes them time for them to become used to theirnew diet as whenever they managed to get food before, itwas likely to be a cheap, sweet bun. On our way to visit tothe school for the second time we passed lots of peoplebegging next to a graveyard and Sister Lizzy stoppedbeside one old woman to ask how she was.

She was sitting with a very small boy who was half nakedand very dirty. I could see that his thin legs were turnedinwards and covered in scars from surgeries. He had alump on his forehead and would not look at us. Thewoman, his grandmother, said that he was doing ok butwas still in pain.

As we walked away, Sister Lizzy explained that he hasmany growth problems and disabilities. The Sisters havehelped the family and he has had six operations, but thereis nothing more that can be done. He is expected only tolive for another 1-2 years.


IInn hhiiss oowwnn wwoorrddss……My name is Jimmy. I was born in Cite Soleil and I grewup there with my family. I have six brothers and onesister. When I was younger, it was very difficult to getfood. It wasn't possible for my parents to send us toschool, so I didn't go for about four years. Then, whenI was in fourth grade, I started at the Hands Togetherschool, where I get food from Mary's Meals.

When I first heard about Mary's Meals, I thought thatMary was the cook. Now I know that it is food that hasbeen given to us. Mary's Meals is very important forme and many other people - it does very, very bigthings in Haiti and Cite Soleil. Right now it's not asdifficult to get food as it was before.

LLeeaarrnniinngg oonn aa ffuullll ssttoommaacchhBeing hungry stops you from learning well and fromlistening to the teacher, because you are thinkingabout having food. Before leaving home to come toschool, I used to think "am I going to get any food?"Now we know that we can have food from Mary'sMeals, we don't worry at all because we have peoplewho are taking care of us. If there is a problem withthe food, I would say it is I think it is because the foodis too tasty, everybody likes the food - the principals,the teachers, the students, the cooks!

FFuuttuurree ppllaannssI am in the eleventh grade. In two years I will finishmy classical (initial) education. Then I would like togo to university to learn about agriculture. In Haiti, wehave big problems. We have earthquakes and othernatural catastrophes. By studying agriculture, I canlearn to grow the plants and trees to help Haiti tocope. Haiti is naturally a very good country, but rightnow it's bad because people are cutting down treesto make shelters and for firewood, because they don'thave other ways to cook their food. They think aboutcutting up the roots and making coal, but they don'tthink about replanting.

In my neighbourhood, my friends and I teach otherkids who don't have the chance to go to school. It is alittle thing, I would like to do more. Because I havehad the opportunity to study, I have the opportunityto give what I have studied to others.

AAfftteerr tthhee eeaarrtthhqquuaakkeeAfter the earthquake my house was broken. My fatherhas made some little tents for us at the front of the

house, with some bits of scrap and pieces ofclothes. I have somewhere to sleep - I keep wakingup and going to school - but I still sleep outside thehouse because part of my house is damaged andpart of it keeps tearing.

AAffrraaiidd ttoo sstteepp oouuttssiiddeeBefore the earthquake, life was difficult becausethere were gunshots around Cite Soleil and peoplecouldn't go out - they couldn't go to school becauseof the gang members. They were shooting every dayand every night because they didn't have any workor any way to eat, and that pushed them to do somebad things. When I went to school, my biggestproblem was that I was afraid to walk through thestreets because of the violence.

After the earthquake, I thought that the gangmembers would change their minds and becomegood people, but it became harder and they decidedto carry on doing what they were doing. They didn'tthink about getting work, they only thought aboutgetting guns and showing them off. They went outand did bad things to get money and food.

Right now things are getting a bit better, thanks tothe police and the ministers.

DDeelliivveerriinngg hhooppeeA few days after the earthquake, I was out in myneighbourhood, talking to my friend, when I sawFather Thomas (the priest who runs the HandsTogether schools where Mary's Meals is provided).He told me that he had a meeting the next day in hishouse with the school's teachers and principals.

I prayed, because I thought if Father Thomas wasthinking about us, there could be a better life again.Some days after that, our friends delivered food anda little water from Mary's Meals. It was extraordinary,because I thought that after the earthquake wewouldn't have a chance.

Now we all go to school and we still have food fromMary's Meals. That's very, very good grace from Godand from the people who thought about us after theearthquake. I will keep praying and I know that mymother will keep praying for Mary's Meals to keepdoing this good work for all countries and for me andmy friends.

JIMMYS STORYJJiimmmmyy iiss aa ssttuuddeenntt iinn CCiittee SSoolleeiill,, HHaaiittii.. HHee ttaallkkss aabboouutt hhiiss lliiffee aanndd hhiiss eexxppeerriieenncceess iinn tthhee mmoonntthhss aafftteerr tthhee eeaarrtthhqquuaakkee..


MMaaggnnuuss,, MMaarryy''ss MMeeaallss ffoouunnddeerr,, wwaass iinnttrroodduucceedd ttooJJiimmmmyy iinn HHaaiittii iinn JJuullyy.. HHee wwrroottee ttoo ssuuppppoorrtteerrss llaassttmmoonntthh tteelllliinngg tthheemm aabboouutt tthhaatt mmeeeettiinngg..Watch a short film about Jimmy -hhttttpp::////wwwwww..mmaarryyssmmeeaallss..oorrgg//aappppeeaall//??ppaaggee__iidd==55Read Magnus' letter about Jimmy -hhttttpp::////wwwwww..mmaarryyssmmeeaallss..oorrgg//aappppeeaall//??ppaaggee__iidd==22


mmaarryy’’ss mmeeaallss nneewwss

MMaaggnnuuss bbeeccoommeess aa CCNNNN HHeerroo


CCOOUUNNTTDDOOWWNN TTOO

WWOORRLLDD PPOORRRRIIDDGGEE DDAAYY


TThheerree aarree jjuusstt aa ffeeww wweeeekkss ttoo ggoo uunnttiill tthhiiss yyeeaarr’’ss WWoorrllddPPoorrrriiddggee DDaayy,, aann eevveenntt tthhaatt iiss sseett ttoo ccaauussee aa ssttiirr aammoonnggppoorrrriiddggee--lloovveerrss aanndd MMaarryy’’ss MMeeaallss ssuuppppoorrtteerrss eevveerryywwhheerree..

World Porridge Day, on Sunday October 10, is a chance for us tocelebrate the work of Mary’s Meals and to let more people knowabout its role, feeding more than 400,000 of the world’s poorestchildren in their place of education. The event was started lastyear by the organisers of the World Porridge MakingChampionships (a competition held in Carrbridge, Scotland).They wanted to support Mary’s Meals because of the role that amaize-based porridge (called likuni phala) plays in Malawi,where children receive a nutritious mug every day at our schoolprojects.

This year we are asking our supporters around the world to getinvolved. Why not hold a porridge (oatmeal) breakfast for familyand friends at home, or at a local church or community centre,organise a flapjack sale at work, or swap porridge recipes withcolleagues.

If you feel like doing something more unusual, why not useporridge as the basis of a sponsored event, a competition, oreven an attempt to break a record! We know that many of ourpartners and supporters are already putting plans in place – froma topping-tasting in Southampton to a ‘sponsor a pot’ party inBlantyre, Malawi.

Pupils at Dalmally Primary School have had an invitation join asenior member of the Government for breakfast, and pupils atHolyrood High School are hoping to share (via the internet) theirWorld Porridge Day party with friends at a Mary’s Meals projectmore than 500 miles away.

Although the official date for World Porridge Day is Sunday,October 10, you can get involved at any time. Whatever you doand whenever you do it, please tell us about your plans and sendyour photos.

IIff yyoouu aarree ppllaannnniinngg aann eevveenntt ffoorr WWoorrlldd PPoorrrriiddggee DDaayy,, pplleeaassee lleett uusskknnooww aatt iinnffoo@@mmaarryyssmmeeaallss..oorrgg.. IIff yyoouu wwoouulldd lliikkee ppoosstteerrss,, lleeaafflleettssoorr iinnffoorrmmaattiioonn,, pplleeaassee ccoonnttaacctt tthhee ssaammee aaddddrreessss oorr ccaallll 0011883388220000660055 oorr vviissiitt hhttttpp::////wwwwww..mmaarryyssmmeeaallss..oorrgg//ppoorrrriiddggee__ddaayy..hhttmmll

TThhiiss iiss aa sseelleeccttiioonn ooff aaccttiivviittiieess tthhaatt ssuuppppoorrtteerrss oorrggaanniisseedd llaasstt yyeeaarr:: �At the World Porridge Making championships in Carrbridge,

volunteers served porridge to visitors. A replica of Rabbie Burns’porridge bowl was auctioned for the charity.

In Medjugorje in Bosnia and Craig Lodge in Argyll, porridge wasserved and guests were encouraged to try new and unusual toppings.

In Malawi, children at Namiwawa Primary School near Blantyreenjoyed a porridge festival where they tasted Scottish porridge andsang and danced for local dignitaries.

In London, a porridge stall formed part of the parish feast day at OurLady of Muswell Hill church. In Carickmacross in Ireland, parishionersat St Joseph’s church enjoyed a bowl after the service.

In Hampshire, supporters invited friends to their house for a flapjacktea (and put Mary’s Meals leaflets and a collection box on the table).�In La Fleix, France, a group of friends enjoyed a Scotland-themed

porridge party which included trying Scottish country dancing.

At Kingussie High school, pupils made a film and showed it at aspecial ‘porridge assembly’. Pupils at Resolis Primary School hadporridge as part of their Harvest Festival.

In Loch Awe, Argyll, Girl Guides made ‘oatie bath bombs’. Theylearned that oats can be good for the skin and make great face masks.�In Edinburgh, MSP Jamie McGrigor submitted a motion to the

Scottish Parliament in support of the event.

TThhee PPrriiccee ooff PPoovveerrttyyLLeenntt wwaass aa bbuussyy ttiimmee ffoorr MMaarryy’’ss MMeeaallss ssuuppppoorrtteerrss iinn AAbbuuDDhhaabbii,, wwrriitteess DDiiooggeennee DDee SSoouuzzaa,, aa ccaatteecchhiissmm SSttuuddeenntt aattSStt JJoosseepphh’’ss CCaatthheeddrraall

It is the first Friday of Lent at St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Abu Dhabi. Thechurch compound is teeming with activity as children rush in foranother day of Catechism and parishioners crowd in for a morning ofworship. The children all know that today is the first day of the Mary’sMeals campaign in our parish. Many of have seen the campaign growover the last few years.

If anyone had any questions, the display of posters and banners wouldanswer them . “Help Mary’s Meals feed a child for an entire year”, oneposter says. “Help end hunger. Contribute to Mary’s Meals”, saysanother. And of course there is the traditional 5 gallon water bottle inwhich the children put their money. As soon as the children see thebottle being brought out, they know what they have to do. They all rushforward to try to be the first to put their money in. The idea behind theclear bottle is that the children can see the money grow and grow andgrow. Those who do not put their money in the bottle can stillcontribute, because all the money collected at the children’s Massadds to the collection.

Throughout the week, donations keep coming in. Well-wishers fromother parishes call, offering support. From Dubai alone, a group offriends has raised 2000 dirhams in support of Mary’s Meals. We startweek two selling tickets for the ‘poverty meal’ which will take place onPalm Sunday. The poverty meal is very simple. Guests donate 40dirhams and share in a Mary’s Meal of rice and lentils, helping to feeda child through Mary’s Meals for one year.

Preparations are already in full swing. One of the catechists, who ownsa restaurant, has agreed to sponsor the food. On Friday, in church, weshow the children a PowerPoint presentation so they know what Mary’sMeals is doing and they know the joy their 40 dirhams will bring to thechildren in the Mary’s Meals program. By the end of week two, morethan half of the tickets have been sold and the level of money in thebottle continues to rise.

During week three, we push for ticket sales. With only one week leftbefore the meal, everything has already been arranged. This week,children start to sell wrist bands. The level of money in the bottle risesand it becomes so heavy that two people are needed just to put it ona chair. There are only about 20 tickets left to be sold now.

It’s week four and Friday morning sees teachers and volunteers runningaround, finalising preparations. The meal begins at 11:00 am. By 10:30,there are people queued outside the building. The parish priest comesand says the grace before meals, and then the meal begins. Peoplebegin to file in and pick up their food package, a simple meal of rice andlentils. The meal was a great success and has built up so much supportfor Mary’s Meals that donations keep coming in, even after thecampaign had ended. The Friday after Easter, the catechists gather tocount the money collected. The bottle in which the children had puttheir money is brought in and cut open, and the counting begins.Another successful year supporting Mary’s Meals ends and a hugecheer sounds when the counting ends and the final amount has beendeclared.


With the help of over 60 volunteers all highly visible in brightblue Mary's Meals T-shirts, we were able to hold a streetcollection and give out flyers and badges to the huge crowdsthat gathered in Edinburgh to greet the Pope as he made hisway along Princes Street.

Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow, Mary’s Meals CEO, describes theday, “I think yesterday was one of those very special days forMary’s Meals. I don’t think I’ll ever forget the sight of PrincesStreet as the crowds began to gather in the early morning sun,speckled wherever you looked with the blue of Mary’s Meals! Itwas such a moving day for me in a lot of ways – I hadn’tunderstood that I was going to be introduced to the Pope andthe Queen, so that was an incredible surprise.

Perhaps even more moving for me was the realisation of howloved Mary’s Meals has become by so many people. It wasespecially wonderful to see so many of our young smilingvolunteers giving up their day to shake buckets and hand outleaflets! I think they made a huge impression on so many in thecrowd. As of course did our more mature Mary’s Meals‘stalwarts’!! Quite early in the morning, when a few of us hadalready been up for a few hours and I was beginning to think

OONN PPAARRAADDEE

that this was going to be quite a long day, two ladiesapproached to ask where to meet up with the rest of theMary’s Meals volunteers – they explained they had justcome all the way from Donegal to join us. I didn’t feel tiredor sorry for myself again after that!” The collection raisedover £2,500 but the real value goes far beyond that figurein terms of the number of new people who have nowheard about Mary’s Meals through media coverage orgetting flyer from a volunteer.

STV interview with Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow aboutMary's Meals and their invitation to take part in theSt Ninian's Day parade:

http://entertainment.stv.tv/tv/196408-marys-meals-feeds-poverty-stricken-children-around-the-world/

Mary’s Meals was very honoured to be one of twocharities invited to take part in the St Ninian’s Daycelebrations organised to welcome Pope Benedictto the UK during his recent visit.


TTHHEE WWRROONNGG KKIINNDD OOFF

SSNNOOWWWe are aware of the great lengths many go to, tofundraise for Mary’s Meals. But surely few have goneso far as Jamie Bruce who has just completed a walkfrom Bristol to Jerusalem. By Thomas Black

After walking 180 miles from Bristol to Walsingham lastyear, Jamie met the visiting Archbishop of Jerusalem.Amongst other things the Patriarch discussed pilgrimages tothe Holy Land, and suddenly inspiration struck. Jamie wouldwalk to Jerusalem. A few days later he was discussing hisplans with a friend who suggested that a sponsored tripcould make a lot of money for a charity. The thought ofMary’s Meals came instantly to Jamie.

The plans for the trip took shape and, on the 1st of January2010, he set off. Walking through one of the coldest wintersin decades Jamie said he discovered what is meant by the“wrong kind of snow” - wet snow that turns to slush when ithits the ground, that soaks through your boots and yourclothes and freezes.

Out of the snow he discovered something else, generosityand hospitality; in the freezing winter strangers openedtheir homes to him and took him in as he wandered his wayacross Europe. Trusting on providence and sleeping roughmost nights often in freezing conditions Jamie made his wayto Jerusalem.

He set off on New Year’s Day and arrived six months later onthe 24th of June. Time and again he says he was on thebrink of despair, but would find new wells of hospitality ornew reserves of strength to continue with his journey.

Back in the UK Jamie found that he raised around £2000. Allthose miles don’t seem to have dampened his enthusiasm.When asked if he would ever do something similar, he said:“I’ve been toying with the idea of Russia to Mexico over-land” he said, “or maybe if that’s too crazy the Camino inSpain.”

CCoonnggrraattuullaattiioonnss JJaammiiee aanndd tthhaannkk yyoouu ffrroomm MMaarryy’’ss MMeeaallss --eennjjooyy yyoouurr wweellll--eeaarrnneedd rreesstt..



DDiiaarryy ddaatteessWWoorrlldd PPoorrrriiddggee DDaayy -- SSuunnddaayy 1100 OOccttoobbeerr :: This year’s event onSunday October 10 is chance to celebrate the work of Mary’s Mealsand the difference that a mug of porridge makes to thousands ofchildren. All sorts of events are planned – why not join in? We havelots of ideas at wwwwww..mmaarryyssmmeeaallss..oorrgg oorr wwwwww..ggoollddeennssppuurrttllee..ccoomm

OOppeenn DDaayy -- SSaattuurrddaayy 22nndd OOccttoobbeerr 22--55ppmm:: We are delighted to haveFr Tom Hagan and Doug Campbell from Haiti as our guest speakers.They look after our Mary’s Meals projects in Cite Soleil and livedthrough the earthquake and its aftermath. We are all lookingforward to hearing the latest news and how the funds raised byMary’s Meals are helping.

The afternoon will also include music, story telling and an addressby Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow, Mary’s Meals CEO. The event is atWellington Church, 77 Southpark Avenue, Glasgow, G12 8LE. Pleaselet us know if you plan to attend, call 0141 3367094 or 01838200605 or email [email protected]. The Open Day will be a greatchance to meet other people involved in Mary’s Meals and learnmore about the charity’s work. We look forward to seeing you there!

MMaarryy’’ss MMeeaallss MMuussiicc -- FFrriiddaayy 2299 OOccttoobbeerr :: This concert, in the OldFruitmarket, Glasgow, will be an evening of entertainment,fundraising, and a chance to learn about Mary’s Meals. A starryline-up will include Eddi Reader, Jon Fratelli (The Fratellis) and ColinMacintyre (Mull Historical Society). We will post an update on howand where to buy tickets (which will be availablefrom late September) on www.marysmeals.org as soon as we havenews.

WWiillll RReelliieeff::Mary’s Meals is one of the beneficiaries of Will ReliefScotland. Throughout September, solicitors across Scotland waivetheir fees for making a Will in return for clients giving a donation tothe campaign. Any monies raised are divided between five Scottishcharities working overseas, one of which is Mary’s Meals.

NNootteessGGllaassggooww OOffffiiccee MMoovvee:: From September 20th, Mary’s MealsGlasgow office will be situated at 97A Hawthorn St (offDenmark Street), Glasgow G22 6HY.

Our email and telephone numbers will remain the same,however should you have any problems contacting us pleasecall 01838 200605. Although our premises at 64-66 GlentanarRoad will close on 17th September, our aid warehouse therewill remain open. Its opening times have changed to Tuesdayand Thursday only from 9-5. If you would like to drop goods offat the Aid Warehouse outside those hours, please callCChhaarrlloottttee oonn 00114411 33336677009944..

MMaarryy’’ss MMeeaallss UUSSAA:: Our American support group now has a full-time member of staff. Patty Decker, who started in September,will co-ordinate Mary’s Meals USA from our new base in NewYork, receiving donations, meeting supporters and workingclosely with volunteers. Until now Mary’s Meals USA has beenmanaged by an amazing group of volunteers. It is thanks totheir hard work that we have now grown so fast in America.You contact Mary’s Meals USA via their websitehhttttpp::////wwwwww..mmaarryyssmmeeaallssuussaa..oorrgg..

CChhrriissttmmaass CCaarrddss::Mary’s Meals Christmas cards are on salefrom the 6th of September. They are supplied in packs of 10 (5of each design) with envelopes and cost £5. They can beviewed online at www.marysmeals.org. To order call 01838200 605 or email [email protected].

RRaaddiioo 44:: On Sunday, August 1, Radio 4 featured a charityappeal for Mary’s Meals which raised over £12,000. Thank youto Duncan Bannatyne who presented the appeal. You canlisten here: hhttttpp::////wwwwww..bbbbcc..ccoo..uukk//pprrooggrraammmmeess//bb0000tt661133dd

New Glasgow office


TThhee CCNNNN EEffffeecctt

TThhiiss ssuummmmeerr,, MMaarryy’’ss MMeeaallss wwaass tthhrriilllleedd ttoo rreecceeiivvee aa ccaallll ffrroomm aa CCNNNNrreeppoorrtteerr tteelllliinngg uuss tthhaatt,, tthhaannkkss ttoo aa nnoommiinnaattiioonn ffrroomm aa ssuuppppoorrtteerr,,MMaaggnnuuss hhaadd bbeeeenn cchhoosseenn ttoo bbee aa ““CCNNNN HHeerroo..””

On a rainy day a few weeks later, a film crew arrived in Argyll todocument our work, our scenic surroundings, and even to visit our localpub. Before we knew it, our modest founder’s face was being broadcastto millions via the popular American TV show Larry King Live. At Mary’sMeals bases in the United States and the United Kingdom, we began tosee the benefits of the coverage immediately. Within days, more than200 people had signed up to become supporters and we had gainedaround 500 new fans on Facebook.

We received donations from generous viewers who had never comeacross Mary’s Meals before, as well as many kind messages and offersof practical help. There was also follow-on media coverage in Scotland,including an invitation for Magnus to appear on TV again, this time onSTV’s evening chat show, The Hour. The fact that the beginnings of ourcharity came about over a pint enjoyed in the Glenorchy Lodge Hotelstruck a particular chord with CNN’s journalists, who published a storyentitled: “From beer-fuelled brainstorm to life’s work helping others.”

A lively discussion on CNN’s Facebook page followed, with commentsfrom members of the public including: “Can anybody spare a few casesto see what brainstorm idea I can come up with?” and “When I have abeer-fuelled brainstorm I usually end up with a massivehangover.”Though there was plenty of humour, our moment in thespotlight had a serious purpose – to tell a new audience about Mary’sMeals and how they can get involved with our work feeding hungryschool-children.

Magnus wrote to supporters at the time and said: “I nevercease to marvel at the ways doors open for Mary’s Meals. Ialso never cease to cringe at having to do things like appearas a ‘hero’ on TV. I know lots of heroes and I am not one ofthem. However I realise this is the most amazing chance totell more people than ever about Mary’s Meals.”

Next steps: At the end of September, CNN will announcetheir ‘top ten heroes of the year’, each of whom will receive adonation towards their work, and will be invited to an awardceremony in Los Angeles. If Magnus is included in thisshortlist, we will let you know.

CCNNNN’’ss ffiillmmss:: Magnus MacFarlane Barrow

http://edition.cnn.com/video/#/video/world/2010/08/12/cnnheroes.magnus.profile.cnn

MMaarryy’’ss MMeeaallss iinn HHaaiittiihttp://edition.cnn.com/video/#/video/world/2010/08/12/cnnheroes.magnus.extra.cnn

VViissiittiinngg tthhee DDaallmmaallllyy HHeeaadd OOffffiicceehttp://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=460723555109&ref=mf

MMaaggnnuuss oonn SSTTVV’’ss TThhee HHoouurrhttp://player.stv.tv/programmes/the-hour/2010-09-08-1700/

wwhhoo aarree wwee??IInn ccaassee yyoouu aarree rreeaaddiinngg tthhiiss wwiitthhoouutt aannyy pprriioorr kknnoowwlleeddggeeooff tthhee cchhaarriittyy aanndd wwoonnddeerr wwhhoo wwee aarree,, hheerree iiss aa bbrriieeffssuummmmaarryy .. .. ..

Mary’s Meals is a movement to set up school feeding projects incommunities where poverty and hunger block children from gainingan education. This movement is administered by the charity ScottishInternational Relief (SIR). SIR came into being during the Bosnianconflict in 1992. Two brothers, Magnus and Fergus MacFarlane-Barrow, were so moved by the scenes on TV that they decided toorganize an appeal for blankets and food in their local area, Argyll, Scotland.

They quickly gathered a jeep load and joined one of the convoysleaving the UK and delivered the aid to Medjugorje in Bosnia, a placeof international pilgrimage they had visited with their family yearspreviously. Believing their good deed done they returned to Scotlandexpecting to resume their jobs as fish farmers. However they camehome to discover the public had carried on donating aid in theirabsence filling their parents' garage with goods. Magnus decided togive up his job for a year to drive the aid out for as long as the publickept donating. The public did not stop and it soon became necessaryto set up a registered charity.

The charity began to work in Romania, building homes forabandoned children, and in Liberia, helping returning refugees bysetting up mobile clinics, while continuing to deliver material aid toCroatia and Bosnia. In 2002 Magnus met a family in Malawi that ledto a whole new area of work. The mother was dying of AIDS and lyingon the floor of her hut surrounded by her 6 young children

When Magnus asked her oldest son what he hoped for in life, hisstark reply was, 'To have enough to eat and to go to school one day,"This encounter prompted the campaign, Mary's Meals, that aims tohelp children like this by providing a meal a day in school. In thisway the children are encouraged to gain the education that can liftthem out of poverty in later life.

This simple but effective idea has gathered momentum and todayprovides daily meals for over 400,000 of the world’s poorestchildren. Our headquarters is still situated in the grounds of CraigLodge, Argyll, but support groups are springing up around the world.


oouurr vviissiioonnIs that all those who have more than

they need, share with those who lack even the most basic things, and that

every child receives one daily meal in their place of education

MMaarryyss MMeeaallss iissaaddmmiinniisstteerreeddtthhrroouugghh SSccoottttiisshhIInntteerrnnaattiioonnaall RReelliieeff

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CCrraaiigg llooddggee,, DDaallmmaallllyy,, AArrggyyllll,, PPAA3333 11AARR TTeell:: ++4444 ((00))11883388220000660055 EEmmaaiill:: iinnffoo@@mmaarryyssmmeeaallss..oorrgg

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mary's meals extra - issue 7

Documents

marys meals news

issue of marys meals

marys meals supportersissue

support of marys meals

supporters page

daily meal

fundraising news

poverty meal