Sue and Tony Melia, from Rugby in the UK, have so far managed to managed to make a big difference in remote areas of Malawi, but helping to develop churches, classrooms and community centres in Bwengu. The inspirational couple are in their 60s, but they both manage to get out to Bwengu for a number of months every year, and they have a new project up their sleeves.
Tony and Sue want to improve the woefully poor medical facilities in remote Malawian villages like Bwengu. They are planning to expand the under-equipped and overwhelmed existing medical centre – covering the entire district – to include:
• A maternity ward for ten patients at a time
• A six-bed birth ward
• A vaccine storeroom, including fridge
• A dedicated office for midwifes
In addition to improving facilities for expectant mothers, the Melia’s want to build three new clinics to treat people suffering with malaria, TB and HIV.
The couple need to get the local residents of Bwengu onside before their plans can be brought to fruition, so they are planning to use technology to convince neighbouring communities to help out with construction work. Tony and Sue will take out a DVD showing full- colour plans and models of what the new facilities will look like. They hope this will impress and excite villagers enough to win their much-needed support.
