Nchima Trust

Thank you, Rosena, for sending photos of the feeding program at Ntambanyama.
The Form 2 exams started last week and the Form 4 exams are expected to start towards the end of the month.
GOOD LUCK to all the students!

Thank you, Rosena, for visiting the N.T. students at Chinyama, Luchenza and Menlo CDSS.
Chisomo M***a is a student from Luchenza Secondary School; he was number one in the exams that were taken by students from 4 schools in the Mulanje area. He is expectef to do very well in his fourth year exams.
GOOD LUCK to all our students.

Thank you, James Kambwiri, for visiting the students at Mahatma Ghandi campus, old College of Medicine campus.
Nchima Trust have five students now at this campus: Gift Kanyinji doing MBBS year five, Moses Munthali MBBS year five, Ruth Biziwick MBBS year one, Enock Chilomo MLS year four, Anthony Namijigo Physiotherapy year four.
James met two students Enock and Anthony.
Gift was at Queens Hospital doing Surgical Class, Moses was at Chikwawa Hospital for his practices, while Ruth this year will be at Lilongwe campus.
KUHES has five campuses, all the campuses NT have students in total seventeen. Once they open the new academic year James visits them at their school to welcome them and check if everyone is in attendance.
James had a chat with Enock and Anthony who are doing their final year. Enock is studying Medical Laboratory Science while Anthony is studying Physiotherapy.
(Anthony on the left & Enock on the right.)

Thank you, Victor, for your especially complimentary and very lovely letter. We wish you every success for your future.

EXPRESSING GRATITUDE TO NCHAMA TRUST FOR EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT
I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to express my deepest gratitude for the unwavering support and generosity that you have extended to me throughout my educational journey. When I reflect on my academic path, I am reminded of the pivotal role that Nchima Trust has played in shaping my future. Your organization's commitment to providing educational opportunities has been nothing short of life-changing for me. From the moment you stepped in to support my education at Thyolo Secondary School, I knew that my dreams were within reach.
Your continuous support did not end there. As I embarked on my journey to Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, your steadfast encouragement and financial assistance ensured that I could focus on my studies without the burden of financial stress. Thanks to Nchima Trust, I am proud to say that I have graduated with a degree in Soil Science—a milestone that would not have been possible without your support. Words cannot express the depth of my gratitude for the opportunities that you have provided me. Your belief in my potential has not only empowered me to pursue my academic goals but has also inspired me to strive for excellence in all aspects of my life.
As I move forward into the next chapter of my journey, I carry with me the invaluable lessons and experiences that I have gained, thanks to Nchima Trust. Please know that your investment in my education has not only transformed my life but will also have a ripple effect on the lives of those around me.
Once again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for your generosity, kindness, and unwavering support. I am forever grateful for the impact that Nchima Trust has had on my life, and I promise to pay it forward by making a positive difference in the world.
With deepest appreciation, VICTOR LITTA

Thank you again to the Malawi team for their most recent famine relief support in the Chileka area.
This area has been greatly hit by drought; their maize is all burnt and they are very grateful for the food. We had a lot of old people and they went home smiling.

Saturday we visited Chinyama. This area has also been hit by the drought. We saw that the area has planted a lot of cassava and sweet potatoes, maybe this will help them.

Our appreciation goes to all those who assisted us to make this happen, especially to Dennis Davidson for the free transportation.

Zikomo kwambiri to the Malawi 🇲🇼 Nchima Trust team:
The Malawi Committee started some famine relief activity today and distributed food to people in and around Chinyama. They will do the same for one other village. They have reacted very swiftly and we are told that there is a 'lot of hunger' now.
Our campaign raised about £1,650.
Hats off to our local team once again - they really don't hang about.

Thank you so much, Dulwich Cranbrook, for your fundraising efforts.
Your cake sale on Friday 23rd February raised over £300 for Nchima Trust’s appeal.
Thank you to the Ojis & 5S specifically, but to the whole community, for the help in running the event, and also for all the support in spending your hard-earned pennies!
There is still more money to come in so we await the final amount.
ZIKOMO KWAMBIRI

Thank you, Rosena, for these wonderful photos of the Nchima Trust students:

We need a little help getting Malawians through the next couple of months
Can you help with our appeal please?

You may know that Malawians, most of whom live off the land, will harvest their annual crop of maize in March, which should last a year. However, after the damaging effects of Cyclone Freddy in 2023, many are now running low on food. We are therefore seeking a little help to relieve the hunger. You can donate through our website in US dollars or British pounds.
Click here for our latest Newsletter

Malawians can normally grow enough maize to last their families a year and sometimes even have a little left over, but after last year’s cyclone, many were not able to harvest at all and others harvested much less than normal. Through our team on the ground in Malawi we have been made aware that there are areas in Malawi which are now suffering a food shortage which is on the verge of becoming severe.

How will we help?
Nchima Trust's team in Malawi has already identified some areas in dire need.

We shall procure the necessary supplies of food along with transport

Delivery and distribution is arranged swiftly and overseen by our team, often with the help of students whose fees we support.

For more information please go to our web site www.nchimatrust.org click on ‘Donate’ to see all our options on how you can help.

Please remember if you are a UK tax payer a Gift Aid form is available on the website.

Regards and thank you from everyone at Nchima Trust

Nchima Trust is principally a provider of charitable bursaries for fees at schools and Universities in Malawi, but occaisonally we shall intervene with other support when we feel there is a need. We are very grateful to our generous donors and partners for their continued support. Malawi remains one of the 10 poorest countries in the world.
Our Website for more information and to donate: https://www.nchimatrust.org

Copyright (C) 2024 Nchima Trust. All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:

Nchima Trust
The Old Laundry
Church Lane
Dogmersfield, Hants RG27 8SZ
United Kingdom

Thank you, Rosena Kazembe, for distributing the stationery and toiletry supplies to our secondary school students. Some of these students are sponsored by Nchima Trust and some are sponsored by Medalawi.

Gratitude for the education funding:
Dear Nchima Trust

I am writing to say thank you for giving me money to help with my education. I really appreciate your help and it means a lot to me. This money will enable me to shape and build a bright future and fulfill my education goals, even my personal life.

First of all, I want to thank you for believing me and helping me with my studies. Your decision to give me money makes it easier for me to focus on my school work and do really well. This opportunity has greatly relieved my financial burden which I had before, by reducing my financial stress.

The money you give me will help me buy more essential resources such as textbooks, workshops and other conferences that are necessary for personal growth and skill development. Therefore this will open doors of my success in academic studies.

This help is not only for school, it will also let me do good things for my community. With less worry about money I can spend more time helping others. The dream of my community to have at least more number of educated girls will come into existence through your help and consideration.

I want you to know that l am very serious about using this help to do well in my studies. Your support is much more and super important to me and the history of my academic journey.

Once again as a happy person thank you very much for being kind and helping me. Your support gives me a lot of hope and confidence. I will keep you updated on how I am doing and what I achieve with your help.
Thank you for making a big difference in my life I'm really thankful
Sincerely
Efrida Linde

Report of the ANNUAL STUDENT MEETING 2023 written by Dorothy Bwanali (MUBAS student) & Ruth Bizeck (KUHES student).
DATE: 26TH AUGUST 2023
VENUE: MUBAS (THE POLYTECHNIC) ENGINEERING AUDITORIUM
The meeting started in the morning and ended later in the afternoon. The Master of Ceremony was Mr James Kambwiri. It went on as follows;
Welcoming Remarks
The MUBAS Dean of students, Mrs Getrude Sitolo, gave the welcoming remarks to all the guests and the students who were present. She sincerely appreciated the efforts being made by Nchima trust family in keeping all students under their scholarship in school. The Dean also appreciated the cooperation and transparency that exist between the board members of the Nchima Trust family in Malawi and Europe. She finished by encouraging all the students to work hard in their academics as an appreciation for the scholarship they are receiving. She acknowledged that there are many students who are hunting for scholarships and it is such a great privilege to have one.

Opening remarks
In his remarks, Mr Frank Mkumba, appreciated the MUBAS institution for showing interest in the activities organised by the Nchima Trust Family. He gave a brief history of Nchima trust. He made a summary of how the scholarship is run and mentioned of all the benefits that students enjoy under this scholarship. Mr Mkumba, enlightened all students of how best this scholarship is by making mention of the following reasons;
• Students are not demanded to reapply for the scholarship every year. Once they are recruited, their scholarship is guaranteed until they finish.
• Beneficiaries are not required to pay back for all the benefits they receive from the scholarship after the completion of their education.
Mr Mkumba continued to say that currently Nchima Trust Family supports over 120 college students and 260 secondary school students. He also reminded the students of scholarship conditions and encouraged them all to follow as a way of securing their scholarship. He urged all students to use the opportunity presented by Nchima Trust Family to network with others as life after college is interdependent. He finished by urging the students to work hard so as not to repeat a class. He said repeating may result in the termination of one’s scholarship.

Presentation by Board Members of Studieforderung Passo Fundo
Arnold and Helmut, the board members of Studieforderung Passo Fundo in Germany, were the special guests. In their presentation, they gave a brief history of Passo Fundo. They made mention of who they are, where they come from, how they started, where they started, how they got to Malawi and how they raise their funds.

They briefly described who the Nchima Trust Family is. The three organisations, Nchima Trust, Passo Fundo and Medulawi, in this Family channel their funds together and sponsor all their students together.
Arnold and Helmut emphasized that the importance of annual student meetings is networking, allowing continuing students to interact with alumni and even themselves.
Again, they briefly explained the nature of the scholarship offered, stating the expectations and requirements from the sponsors. The scholarship provides all that the students need to do their school and in return, they are expected to give back to the community in order to create a balance. The students are also required to write a report twice a year. Arnold and Helmut explained how reports should be written, fully emphasizing what the readers expect. The students send their reports in respect of the organisation that directly sponsor them in the Nchima Trust Family.
In case, a student feels like they cannot continue with their school, Arnold and Helmut, advised that it is important to communicate. To the alumni, Arnold and Helmut said they should remain active in the Nchima Trust Family so that they may be able to extend the help they received to others.

Mental Health Presentation by Professor Chiwoza Bandawe

Prof Chawoza begun his presentation by defining mental health, stating its components and describing how important it is. Among the many mental disorders, he focused on only three; depression, suicidality and anxiety figures. He described the symptoms, causes and treatment of depression, rates of suicides which are getting high and risk factors and treatment for anxiety.
He went on to say physical activity, healthy eating and sleeping can help manage mental stress. At the end of his presentation, he explained the practical ways to manage thoughts and allowed time for questions and answers

Zoom meeting
Soon after the Mental Health presentation, Alastair Scarborough in UK, Jeanette Heikeins in Netherlands, and Diekens Binali in Poland joined the meeting through zoom. Due to technical problems, Alastair’s speech was not properly heard.
Jeanette enlightened students how they should write their reports by pointing out some mistakes that students make. She emphasized on the need to do community work and urged the students from all universities to consider doing more for their communities. She recommended UNMA for their community work which they did in collaboration with the alumni. She finished by encouraging students to work hard. Diekens Binali encouraged the alumni to join hands and be part of the Nchima Trust Family. At the end, they all wished the students best of luck as they continue with their school.

College Presentations
As per tradition, the representatives from various colleges made presentations of the community activities that they did within the academic year. Not all colleges presented because time had elapsed. For those that presented, the presentations were beautiful and students are really trying to reach out to their communities. However, they can still do better.

Discussion Session
Towards the end of the meeting, there was a discussion session. Students were put in groups according to their schools and were given a set of questions to discuss. The questions for students were the following;
• What else can be done?
• Four key challenges faced
• How can you deal with the challenges?
Alumni also formed their group and had to answer the following questions:
• How can you organise the alumni network community?
• What are your future plans?
The answers to the questions were provided in form of presentations from each group.

After the discussion session, all the students, alumni and board members took pictures and ate together the food that was prepared for the meeting.

Conclusion
The 2023 Annual Student Meeting was highly appreciated by all students and it was a great success. Students from different colleges and secondary schools across the country interacted and learnt from each other; sponsors from Germany graced the occasion with their presence, a lot was learnt about mental health; reminders were made about the scholarship terms and conditions, and many other things. All in all, this would have not been possible if not for the support that Nchima Trust Family renders on these students.

Written by
• Dorothy Bwanali ->Nchima Trust MUBAS Representative
• Ruth Paul Bizeck -> KUHES (Mahatma Ghandi Campus )

On Wednesday 26th July 2023, James Kambwiri visited our students at MUST:
Kholwani Gondwe, Francisco Machila, Chikumbutso Salima and Mavuto Missi.
They started a new academic year this month which will end in October.
They received their upkeep allowance cheques and were informed of the general meeting on 26th August at the College of Medicine.

Dear All
We are all invited to the NT students general meeting 2023.
Venue: KUHeS (COM)
Date: 26th August 2023
Time: 8am to 14:00

Special invitation to all Alumni, you are welcome to attend the conference.

NB: Transport will be refunded to all continuing students only.

Come all, come all ........

Nchima Trust ......changes lives🥳

James visited our student Samuel Mangani, who is studying Food and Nutritional at NRC.
I received a call from him last week that he was badly affected by Cyclone Freddy. The house he was sleeping in with his two relatives on that fateful night fell down on them.
They were taken to the Queens Central Hospital, where he was admitted for three weeks. He got injured on his right hip. This time he was staying in Ndirande Blantyre, the high density area in Blantyre city, which was badly affected by Cyclone Freddy. When I visited him, I saw that their house is still a dung hill. At the moment he is staying with his Uncle, who has suffered a fallen house wall. He lost school materials, laptop, phone, books and other things.
He reported to me that he informed the college authority of this calamity that happened to him, he failed to report to school this semester because of this incident. Now he is fine, he can walk but not long distances. I asked him to inform the college to reserve a place for him on campus so that he can be able to walk in classes easily. He is expecting to finish his remaining semester of his three years course in October. I gave him 50kg of maize flour and 4 kg of beans.
See attached photos of Samuel Mangani.

On Saturday, the Nchima Trust Malawi Team headed to Zomba to support the victims of Cyclone Freddie.
Support packs were distributed to families in the traditional authority of Mwambo whose houses were submerged in water after Lake Chirwa swelled to extreme levels.
Unfortunately, the village is still underwater so the majority of the families remain at a temporary camp near the lake.
Pleasingly, 2 of our NT students from Chancellor College (Andrew Lisilira and Pellina Maulana) supported the distribution of supplies.
We hope it will not be too long before these families can return to their village to rebuild their homes and their lives.
Thank you to everyone for their support.

Nchima Trust has been offering support to some of the victims of Cyclone Freddie after they lost their entire village due to a treacherous mudslide. Survivors are currently residing in a relief camp in Chiradzulo.

NT supplied 63 families with the following:
a. 2 litres cooking oil
b. 10kgs maize flour
c. 5 packets of sugar
d. 10 packets soya pieces
e. 5kgs beans
f. 2kgs salt
g. 10 plastic plates and cups and 1 pail

Frank Mkumba sent these photos:

Naminjiwa Village, Phalombe:
More support for the deaf community from Nchima Trust, the recipients received much-needed supplies following the devastation of Cyclone Freddie.

Rosena Kazembe also visited the deaf community in Phalombe to offer NT support for the recent devastation that was Cyclone Freddie.

The Malawi Team (specifically Rosena Kazembe) visited the deaf community in Blantyre to offer them support from the recent disaster that was Cyclone Freddie. The deaf community were extremely grateful for the NT support as they reported that they are not often considered.
Thank you for all the photos, Rosena.

On Friday, 12 May 2023, James Kambwiri visited our new recruit students in Chiradzulo district.
NT now have four students who are doing their teaching training at the college. Their course is for two years for them to become qualified primary school teachers.
They were very happy since three of them were our secondary sponsored students. Clement Mverani was at Thyolo secondary school, Samuel Maulidi and Precious Wyson were at Medulo Community Day Secondary School, whilst James Ellaton was at Blantyre Secondary School.
During our meeting, James welcomed them to the Nchima Trust family, explaining to them what Nchima Trust does for tertiary students, and also what Nchima Trust expects from their students.
They have started their first year and first term of their studies in May till the end of July.
They are so grateful to NT for sponsoring them through their Secondary School till now at their Teachers' College.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, STONARD MWALE, FOR YOUR WONDERFUL LETTER AND KIND WORDS.
CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU AND WE WISH YOU EVERY SUCCESS FOR A BRIGHT AND BRILLIANT FUTURE.

Dear Studienforderung Passo Fundo, Nchima Trust,

I am writing to express my deepest gratitude for your contribution towards my undergraduate degree at University of Malawi the Polytechnic currently known as the Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences . I am proud to announce that I have recently graduated with a degree in Bachelor of Electrical and Electronics Engineering (Honours) Second Class/ Credit from this prestigious institution on 5th April 2023 (Wednesday) in the Great Hall, University of Malawi, Chancellor College Zomba from 7 am.

Your generous support and investment in my education has been instrumental in shaping my academic journey. Your contributions have not only allowed me to pursue my passion for Electrical and Electronics Engineering, but also provided me with the financial stability and resources necessary to succeed in addition to training me how to be a critical minded citizen of the country through community works among other things.

At times, the journey was challenging, but it was the support I received from sponsors like you that gave me the motivation to keep going. With your help, I was able to focus on my academics and extracurricular activities without being burdened by the financial costs of tuition. This support has given me the chance to make the most of my undergraduate education experience.

As I embark on a new journey, I am proud to carry with me the lessons learned throughout my academic career. Your support has not only enriched my academic journey, but also equipped me with the tools and knowledge necessary to succeed in life.

Once again, thank you for your generous contribution towards my degree. Your investment in my education will continue to inspire me to work hard and excel in life. Should there be any more opportunities for me or where you feel you can use me, I will always be ready to work for the cause.

Sincerely,

Stonard Mwale
Bachelor of Electrical and Electronics Engineering (Honours) Second Class/Credit

Enormous congratulations to Dr. Ella Kamanga on her recent graduation of 5th April, 2023. Thank you for sending us your stunning graduation photos and all the very best of luck and success for your future.

Sadly we are once again appealing for help supporting flood victims, this time because of Cyclone Freddy which passed through Malawi on 13th March 2023.

Following on from Hurricane Ana in 2022 we are once again raising funds, this time for the flood victims of Cyclone Freddy.

How will we help?

As of March 16th 2023, the major agencies are setting up camps and there are 60 of these for displaced Malawians.

Significant amounts of aid and support will be targeted at areas most affected. However, there will be some areas that are not so fortunate.

Nchima Trust's team in Malawi will identify 2 or 3 areas without support but in dire need and support will then be provided.

For more information please go to our website www.nchimatrust.org press donate to see all our options on how you can help.

Please remember if you are a UK tax payer a Gift Aid form is on the website.

Once we have some idea of where we can be of most use we will follow the same methods of distributing emergency aid to flood victims that we used last year with cyclones Anna and Gombe. We can assure you that your donations will be put to very good use.

Kind regards and thank you from everyone at Nchima Trust.

James Kambwiri visited our students at Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST).
He met Chikubutso Salima, Francisco Machila and Mavuto Missi. One student (Thandiwe Pocha) is on attachment at Industry and one student (Steven Makhalira) finished his studies and graduated.
James informed the students about the Students General meeting on 26th August 2023.

James Kambwiri visited our students at Chancellor College who have started the second semester on Monday this week. He only met a few students since others were yet to report to School.

4th year: Andrew Lisilira, Gedione John, Pellina Maulana.
2nd year: Chrispin Missi
1st year: Hope Hara, Frank Namaina.

The students were informed about the Students General meeting in August.

Enormous CONGRATULATIONS to Ella Kamanga for her recent success and for her very kind words:
I am glad to inform you that I passed my end of year examinations and my results for internal medicine are also out. With these results, I would like to inform you that this marks the end of my journey with College of Medicine. I have graduated with Bachelor of Medicine Bachelor of Surgery with a pass. The graduation date is not yet known.

Currently I am in Dowa where I am helping out patients, working as an Intern Medical Officer and also offering nursing services where they are required. I am currently waiting for completion of the process of being registered with the Medical Council of Malawi so that I start practising as an Intern Medical Officer at Kamuzu Central Hospital. I am also doing community activities accordingly as I had earlier stated in my previous email.

I would like to thank NCHIMA trust for putting a smile on my face, here I am now, a Medical Doctor. Without your kind contribution, it would not have been possible for me to make my dream a reality. You picked me at a point where I had started losing hope. Even though I applied when I was in Year 4, you still considered me and for that I am so grateful.

On a special note, I would like to thank Mr James Kambwiri who interviewed me and considered me the right candidate, I do not take this for granted. Thank you for choosing me as a recipient of the NCHIMA Trust Scholarship. There were times when my dream of becoming a Medical Doctor seemed impossible, but the financial assistance you have provided me has helped me tremendously and kept me going. I will always be grateful to you.

I would also like you to express my sincere gratitude to my sponsor who has been there for me for these previous two years, I am so thankful, the scholarship award has made a meaningful contribution towards my professional development.

I am confident that the expertise and knowledge I have gained at College of Medicine will help me to make a lasting difference to the medical profession. After Internship, I am planning not to work for long as a Medical Officer before I start looking for opportunities to fulfill my dream of becoming a pathologist. I am hoping to proceed as soon as possible. Should there be opportunities like scholarships for Masters students, kindly link me up and I will continue to work hard.

Lastly, I am available should there be anything that NCHIMA trust would like me to help with for the betterment of the programme. I am looking forward to staying in touch. Thank you again for your very important financial assistance.

Kind regards,
Dr Ella Kamanga.

Congratulations to the three students who all attained the pass mark for the Rob van Zadelhoff prize this year; the first time that multiple awards have been made. Special congratulations go to our first ever female recipient. All 3 students received prize money towards their future education.
Great job, Yamikani Chizenga - Luchenza; Emmanuel Temani - Thyolo; Violet Thokozani - Mulanje.

Some friends of Nchima Trust knitted some items which went out to Malawi with 2 of the board members recently.
Here are the models from Mulanje Secondary School and Chensomba in Limbe.