Malawi mission: Two Dalry women transform lives of villagers

Elaine Scott and her fellow charity volunteer Katherine Jones flew out to the village of N'dala to help local women set up micro-businesses using sewing machines powered by solar panels to make and repair clothes.

But it proved more challenging than anticipated – when, on the first day of sewing lessons, they discovered the villagers didn’t even know how to hold a pair of scissors.

Undeterred, Elaine and Katherine carried on – and within a couple of weeks, the women were making full school uniforms thanks to the new equipment.

The latest project was made possible thanks to generous funding from Linwood company CGC, who handed over a cheque for £3,000.

Elaine told the Herald: “It was our most successful trip. The ladies were working hard and were extremely keen.

“On day one we handed out scissors to start with the basics and they didn’t know which way to hold them. I thought ‘wow, where am I starting from?’.

“The person I was working with in Malawi was so excited and said they had organised a contract to supply uniforms to local schools.

“I had to ask if they realised how difficult it would be. It is shirts, shorts, dresses for the girls, which are very difficult to make.

“We had to change the training plan, but we did get there.

“They made shirts with button-down collars, full dresses, the lot.”

Elaine revealed: “Since we left, the ladies have been carrying on with the project. They now have work, they have orders coming in, they are earning their own living and even have their own bank accounts.

“They are all there at eight in the morning every day and finish at 5.30pm.

“We get weekly updates and will be going back to Malawi next year.”

Elaine, who works in the Paisley area, and Katherine, a foster carer, have a longstanding commitment to helping under-privileged people living in rural communities in Malawi.

Back in 2015, Elaine was involved in a team visit to the country to build a school block, toilets, a house and a kitchen in conjunction with charity Mary’s Meals.

In 2017, she returned to help build a nursery, medical centre and a play area for local children and in 2019 she returned again to build more classrooms.

It was during the 2017 visit that she had a “lightbulb moment” as she was sewing up some squares to make bean bags for some children in N'Dala village.

She returned in 2018 to teach sewing and set up small businesses for the ladies in the village they were working in.

Elaine sent over sewing machines in barrels, put in solar power infrastructure, took all of the materials they would need to get started and set up a community fund they could access to continue buying materials.

Sadly the pandemic meant the pals couldn’t return to Malawi until this year.

But the kind donation from CGC’s helped pay for the all-important solar panels to power the sewing machines this year - because mains electricity is so unreliable in Malawi.

Elaine – who pays for her own flights and accommodation – added: “I make tablet and sell it for £1 a bag - and while this is a steady source of funding, it is not raising lots and it takes time, so CGC’s assistance is invaluable.”

Next year, Elaine plans to head off to work on a building project in the country, followed by another teaching role the following year.

She said: “Malawi is really struggling with the cost of living crisis. It is not just the UK being hit. People are having to survive with no money at all.”

On next year’s trip, Elaine and Katherine could be joined by many other volunteers, who have expressed an interest in helping out.

She revealed: “We are open to anyone wanting to go. If anyone is interested, they can contact me on 07906 30915.”