Member Awards 2019 a memorable occasion

‘Everyone left with a smile on their face,’ was the on-the-spot feedback from the impartial viewpoint of Edinburgh City Chambers reception desk last Thursday as the Member Awards 2019 event came to a close.

‘Inspiring’, ‘joyful’ and ‘memorable’ are just some of the other reactions we’ve had from members’ kind emails and comments on our social media.

See our Flickr page for photos of the day by photographer Kirsty Bain

All of the nearly 150 SMP members who attended the event would agree joy and laughter were major themes of the event – mixed with poignant accounts of the outstanding humanitarian work of our members and inspiring examples of our bilateral relationship in which both nations benefit.

The event was presided over by HRH The Princess Royal who took a great interest in the work of SMP Members and was very generous with her time.

The Princess expressed how encouraged she is by the strength of the two-way relationship in which both Scotland and Malawi benefit, reflecting that the member organisations are comprised of 'individuals who have a really good understanding of what they are trying to achieve'.

Immediately after the event, SMP Chief Executive Officer David Hope-Jones, commented:

“It was fantastic to see representatives of many different Scotland-Malawi links coming together for the Member Awards.

"It’s impossible not to be inspired by all the charities, churches, schools, universities, hospitals and community groups across Scotland who are working together in dignified partnership with their friends in Malawi for mutual benefit.”

The winners whose profiles were judged to be the most inspiring and best embodied the SMP Partnership Principles were:

• STEKASkills
• Brewgooder
• Tracy Morse
• Jane Gebbie

The following also received a shared commendation for their response to the Cyclone Idai disaster earlier this year:

• Christian Aid Scotland
• The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC)
• Dòchas Education Trust
• FROM Scotland
• The MicroLoan Foundation
• Open Arms Orphanage
• OXFAM Scotland
• SCIAF (Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund)
• Tearfund Scotland
• UNICEF Scotland
• The University of Edinburgh
• The University of Strathclyde
• WaterAid
• The Zambesi Mission

We will be making more photos of the day available soon. Please keep an eye on our social media.

Zikomo kwambiri to all our wonderful members for making the day so memorable!