Time
line
- 2003
- 2004
- 2005
- 2005
- 2006
- 2006
- 2006
- 2006
- 2007
- 2007
- 2008
- 2008
- 2008
- 2009
- 2009
- 2009
- 2010
- 2010
- 2010
- 2011
- 2011
- 2012
- 2012
- 2012
- 2013
- 2013
- 2014
- 2014
- 2015
- 2015
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May
The idea for the charity is conceived by founder Elspeth Baecke after seeing the plight of street children in Africa on Comic Relief
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May
Land at Ndokota farm next to Kapeya village purchased (24 acres)
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February
Construction starts on the first building of the children’s home
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February
Smile Malawi donates 30 tonnes of maize to the local village during the famine following an emergency appeal to supporters
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July
Discussions with local Director of Social Services to identify the first children in most need i.e. with no extended family to support them
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July
Mirriam, the home’s matron is hired with local ladies as helpers
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November
The first children arrive – 7 girls and 4 boys – aged 3-12 years old
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September
Older children start at Machemba Primary School (with 1600 pupils!)
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December
Four more children arrive, including Elijah aged 12 and his sister, Funny aged 14, making a total of 21 children at the home to celebrate Christmas
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June
Elijah found to have a hole in the heart condition; luckily he receives a life-saving operation by Magdi Yacoub through the Chain of Hope charity in Maputo, Mozambique
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December
Smile Malawi throws a Christmas party for 674 village children complete with chickens as gifts for their families
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May
Further development of the gardens to make the Home self-sufficient in maize, fruit and vegetables – and pigs!
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August
New staff join Smile Malawi and two more children, brothers rescued from the streets of Blantyre by Social Services
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Grace, one of the older girls, starts at secondary (boarding) school
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April
Two more children arrive (making 27) and talks start with the chief for Smile Malawi to take in some of the village orphans as part of its outreach programme
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October
Six village orphans are given a home; work starts on a new building as separate accommodation for all the boys with the help of visiting volunteers from the UK
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October
12 year old Natasha has hospital treatment for meningitis (funded by Vandyke School in Leighton Buzzard);
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Additional fundraising appeal paid for new school uniforms, shoes, fees and books for all the children now at school
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April
More medical emergencies, more maintenance work on the Home and a newcomer, a six year old orphan called Mphatso or Gift
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April
More medical emergencies, more maintenance work on the Home and a newcomer, a six year old orphan called Mphatso or Gift
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April
Severe flooding in January causes damage to homes and crops; special appeal launched to help orphanage staff rebuild their homes and provide food for other surrounding villages
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October
Work completed on a new guest house in traditional ‘round house’ style ready to welcome visitors who want a holiday and make a difference
