You Give Them Hope For The Future

My Weekly Editor Stuart Johnstone recalls seeing first-hand how readers’ donations make a real difference

- Stuart Johnstone, Mary's Meals

As part of our Helping Hand Appeal, My Weekly staff have regularly visited countries where children are receiving Mary’s Meals food.

I first travelled to Malawi in 2014 aware of many of the disturbing statistics reflecting levels of deprivation and poor health, but in truth I had very little idea of what to expect. I knew it was one of the poorest countries on the world, with a devastatingly high rate of HIV and where poverty and malnutrition were widespread.

Our visit was focused on schools, meeting with pupils who are receiving Mary’s Meals food and to speak to volunteers and charity workers in the area. I had been told that the young learners would be excited to meet us “visitors” but nothing could have prepared me for the wave of enthusiasm that greeted myself and photographer Chris Watt on our arrival.

We pulled up outside the Mbandanga school just outside Blantyre in a white Toyota Hilux and immediately there was a sea of smiling faces there to greet us.

The youngsters were fascinated by our cameras, phones and even watches. The small things we take for granted were amazingly exotic objects to them.