UNA Harrogate: SDG1: Caring for infants in Malawi

The Open Arms Infant Home in Malawi cares for babies that have been orphaned due to a range of causes, including HIV Aids and tropical diseases.  It has long-standing connections with Harrogate, including the fact that ex-Ashville teacher Neville Bevis ran the home for many years until very recently when he retired.  Claire Collins is head of fundraising for Open Arms and is based in Harrogate.  Her challenge is to communicate the real purpose of Open Arms to all stakeholders to increase awareness, engage supporters and ultimately prompt action to raise funds to keep the operation running.  This is against a backcloth where the Open Arms operation not only deals with two actual infant homes (in Blantyre and Mangochi) but also includes foster homes for older children and a significant outreach operation tending for the needs of children who have progressed from the infants homes back to their extended families.

With the support of UNA attendees, Claire seeks to drive awareness of the charity amongst new and existing stakeholders and inspire them to take action and support Open Arms.  The event will be held at the offices of Primeast Ltd in Harrogate on Monday 4 September, commencing at 6pm for a 6.30pm start and aiming to finish by 8.30pm.