James' Blog July 2011

 

It was also great to many of CCAP partners in Livingstonia and Blantyre. It was particularly pleasing to see a genuine interest in forging long-term partnerships that will benefit the Synod’s healthcare activities.

 

I was also able to visit the new community building that has been built near Embangweni and that will help to provide many services to the local community. And I was truly inspired when I met some of the youth peer counsellors and trainers at the Embangweni HIV & AIDS Youth Programme.

 

What was clear about my visit was that there remains a huge amount of need in Malawi and that the country is hugely reliant on aid. The current diplomatic row will have the biggest impact on the poorest people. We need to make sure that this doesn’t happen.

 

It’s therefore important that we seek to support programmes that will help to reduce the disease burden, tackle the current and emerging health needs, strengthen the health system and reduce long-term reliance on external support. We will seek to do this by supporting programmes and projects that focus on individuals and communities.

 

These are difficult challenges, but I know that with your continued support we can make a difference. I hope that this edition of the Healing Hand will encourage you to continue to help us support our partners and the communities that they serve.