New Members Forum [III]

We invited members to participate in an informal, online event where new and existing members had the opportunity to introduce themselves and share their connection with Malawi with others in the Scotland Malawi Partnership (SMP).

From consistent feedback, we knew that SMP members loved hearing who was doing what, where, and with whom in Malawi. This helped share learning and experiences, led to offers of support, impactful collaboration, and reduced duplication of effort — or simply helped spread the passion for Malawi and energised members' efforts. Whether members were actively engaged in work with Malawi, had a long-standing connection, or were simply curious to learn more, everyone was equally welcome and encouraged to take part.

New members of the SMP

Blessious Phiri is a Malawian who recently relocated to Scotland to work for Edinburgh University. He is planning and doing a feasibility study in terms of having a small start organisation that looks and cares and trains a boy-child so that after all is said and done these boys are better husbands in the future.

Dr Chrissie Diana Gausi is a Malawian medical doctor currently studying Immunology at the University of Glasgow, with a deep personal and professional connection to Malawi. Her experience working as a paediatric ICU doctor in Malawi has given me firsthand knowledge of the healthcare challenges and opportunities within the country. Her long-term goal is to specialise in Infection, Immunity, and Human Disease, focusing on research and policy development to strengthen Malawi’s healthcare infrastructure, benefiting both Malawi and Scotland through collaboration.

David Goodwin is hoping to build meaningful business connections and gain a deep understanding of Malawi’s economic landscape, laying the foundation for possible future capital partnership investments.

Helen Taylor has links with Malawi through her church presbytery partnership and, more recently, a partnership between her local village primary school with the one in their Malawian partner village. Helen visited the partner church, community and school in 2023 and very recently. Having attended the SMP’s Beginners Chichewa classes earlier this year this really came in handy at her most recent visit to Malawi.

Jon Dowell (together with Amy Blake) set up Fair Trade Electives to create meaningful medical electives by working hand-in-hand with host communities in the Global South. Together with their hosts, they ensure ethical placements that respect and benefit everyone involved, enabling to maximise the students’ contribution. Nkhoma Hospital and Medic to Medic are their current partners in Malawi.

Mike McCabe works for Zambesi Mission, its vision is to see to sustainable gospel-preaching disciple-making churches across Malawi and northern Mozambique.

Patricia Weir worked at Mercy James Centre for Paediatric Surgery and Intensive Care at QECH, Blantyre. She is a Paediatric Anaesthetic and Intensive Care doctor and helped operationalise the unit there. She worked full time for two years and now returns for a period annually.

Duncan Davidson wants to look at the possible ways that partnership with Malawi can help climate change actions in Scotland, Malawi and the rest of the world.

Existing members

Alan Laverock is involved with the Bananbox Trust, sending containers to Malawi regularly from Dundee. He is also helping with mentoring and training business and community support projects in Northern Malawi. He is also linked to Tiyeni and Mamie Martin Fund.

Heather Cubie has been deeply involved in life-changing cervical cancer screening and treatment initiatives in Malawi. Through two Scottish Government-funded projects, her work has transformed lives. Heather was the Chair of the SMP until last year.
Having a bit more retired from the above, Heather is now hoping to link her local church with a church in Malawi.

Jeremy Bagg is Lead for the Scottish Government funded MalDent Project to develop Malawi's first Dental School and a national Oral Health Policy focused on the prevention of dental disease. Jeremy is the current Chair of the SMP.

Meeting Chat

You can find the meeting chat here.