Andiamo Workers receive food aid

As most European and American countries are experiencing heavy snow that is hindering people from commuting effectively to their daily working activities, most African countries especially in the Southern part are facing shortage of rains.

Here in Malawi, the dry spell experienced in other areas has affected the maize crop, which is the staple food. Since maize plants are at their earliest stage, there is cause for concern.

“We anticipated that by April, we would be harvesting but with no rains, we are doomed,” said one concerned young man.

It is in this view that CMB of Italy with an agreement with Andiamo Trust has contributed 60% of food packs being distributed to Andiamo staff members to ease some of the problems being experienced. One food pack contains, Sugar, Salt, Beans, Maize Flour and Cooking Oil.

“We are very much thankful to Andiamo Trust and our partner friend in development – CMB for this timely assistance. This has restored our hope at this time when we have no rains here in Balaka,” said one staff member. He continued to say that their children would no longer sleep with empty stomachs.

“Now we will concentrate on our preparations to start work on the 18th January rather than going around in search of maize, which is also becoming very expensive each and everyday as the hunger is looming,” said another staff member from the building department who was also part of the team that studied project management taught by the CMB crew in November 2009 amid applause from his friends.

Andiamo Trust is implementing this food pack project as in Action E of the agreement with CMB. Other projects include: the Community hospital, Workshops, Capacity building that seeing staff members being trained in various fields such as AutoCAD, Project Management, Computer, Telecommunications, just to mention but a few. As opposed to last year where the packs were bought, this year the packs are being processed right here apart from Sugar, Salt and Cooking oil that have been bought already processed. The Andiamo maize mill department has done the milling. Action E started in 2009 and will run up until 2011 when Andiamo Trust will solely fund it thereafter.