Donside Malawi Fundraisers

Forthcoming events:
Christmas Silent Auction
Saturday 26th November 2005
Kildrummy Inn (Volunteers hall)
15:00 - 18:00hrs

Donations & gifts for auction welcome! Call Sue Barker on 01330 833441.

Hello and welcome to the Donside Malawi Fundraisers page.

Since starting our fundraising activities in June 2005 Donside Malawi fundraisers have already sent over £1,200 directly to Malawi and specifically Dr Jane Bates at Tiyanjane Clinic in Blantyre Malawi.


(Staff at Tiyanjane clinic)

(Queen Elizabeth hospital Blantyre)

Speaking and liasing directly with Dr Jane Bates not only ensures she receives our fundraising monies directly but also informs us of current needs and projects that the Clinic itself is working on. Dr Bates has identified and expressed an interest in training a local woman in Palliative Care for the benefit of the clinic and the thousands of people who visit & attend it each month.

Our current goal is to raise £3000 (the sum required to train a Palliative care nurse, not a lot really!) for the clinic. This is vitally important as many patients with aids, HIV & related illnesses return home to their villages once these life-threatening illnesses are diagnosed.

WHAT IS PALLIATIVE CARE?

Palliative care is holistic care for patients and families faced with life threatening illness. Trying to improve their quality of life means helping them with things like pain relief, food, talking about their HIV status and sorting out their transport home.

(Comfort & support for patients &
their families on the wards)

The harsh reality for some of the patients and families face after being diagnosed and released from the hospital and clinic.

Many patients who are discharged from hospital require ongoing care at home. Two Tiyanjane nurses run a care support programme, based at Ndirande health centre. They train, supervise and encourage community volunteers in delivering good quality care. The clinic doctor regularly reviews patients.

Tiyanjane tests about 250 patients each month; approximately 80% of them are HIV positive. This service has played a crucial role in raising HIV awareness amongst doctors and patients.

Leaflets for patients are also produce explaining ARVs and healthy living.
Please read these small extracts taken from the Clinic newsletter. It may help you understand why it is so important to help our less fortunate friends in Malawi and more specifically Blantyre, Tiyanjane Clinic and its workers. (Please note the names have been edited to protect confidentially of the patients)

Extract 1
Mr. S is 43. 2 months ago his wife died of HIV related diseases. He has three children who are 12, 3 and 2 months. He is also HIV+ . No-one came with him to hospital to look after him, sometimes he doesn't eat because he is too weak to collect the hospital food. Tiyanjane discussed his situation with him and were able to help him with nutrition, drugs and money for travelling home.
Extract 2
Mrs. K has recently started TB treatment, but she is getting weaker in spite of the medication, and has problems with mouth sores, leg pains and itching She found out she was infected with HIV and is on the waiting list for ARV drugs. After medical attention and some palliative care, she was discharged home into the care of The Salvation Army home-based care programme.
Extract 3
Ms. A is 18 and she is infected with HIV. She was referred by the medical team for palliative care and given pain relief. She started eating and smiling again. Her family are very supportive, they know her diagnosis of HIV and Kaposis Sarcoma and when she goes home they'll continue to look after her. They will return to collect the necessary medicines for her from Tiyanjane clinic when needed.

3 simple reasons why we believe that raising the £3000 required will have an enormous impact to the clinic& it's patients.

If you would like to donate gifts for auction or as prizes for events. Donate or pledge money to our efforts please call Sue Barker on 01330 833441 with your offer of help.