Many thanks to everyone who supported the Run4Reforestation in Portobello this year. As you can see from  the article , the Berries and the Happy Hammers were very happy indeed with the new kit we funded!

This year, for the first time, we have included a stay at the beautiful Kuti Wildlife Reserve to develop our interest in animal conservation.

This week, we met some of the local villagers who are looking after the 2000 saplings we funded this year thanks to the generosity of the WMP community. Zomba TREEZ has enlisted members of the local football team in a bid to protect Zomba's trees from firelighters and poachers. As well as staging planned firebreaks and manned patrols across the 18 hectare region, these villagers are looking after all the saplings that have been planted to offset the massive deforestation that has devastated the area. Due to the increase in population and the need for woodfuel for cooking and heating, Malawi has lost 85% of its trees in the last 20 years. Zomba TREEZ aims to mitigate the damage caused by the loss of this biomass and help reduce the effects of climate change in the Zomba area. In an effort to offset the damage caused by our trip to Malawi, we are looking into ways we can contribute to Malawi's conservation efforts in a meaningful and sustainable basis, both in Zomba and Mul...

This week, we're talking to girls about how to stay in school during their monthly cycle.

Following the safe return of Beatrice and Samuel to their families in Blantyre, we now welcome Israel, pictured here, and Godrey into the wider Watson's family. In 2019, thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we were able to formally commit to the sponsorship of four children at Open Arms. While Beatrice and Samuel have since returned to their families, Grace and Abdul continue to thrive in Open Arms' care.  Abdul can now walk unaided and loves company. His family came to visit him in August and we hope he will be able to join them soon. Grace loves to sing but has recently grown quiet. Unfortunately, her chances of returning to her family are slight as her mother is from Zambia.    For more information about our relationship with Open Arms, click here .

This year, we are expanding our October student trip to include animal conservation at Kuti Reserve. We are looking forward to learning how to protect the animals from poachers, safe-guarding the perimeters from poachers and monitoring the animals in its protection.

We are working with Edinburgh College on a new programme that enables vulnerable young people in Malawi to develop a new model of dignified 'voluntourism' that challenges the practice of poverty tourism and white saviourism.  Respectful dialogue between marginalised young people in Malawi and Scottish school pupils will enable the Malawians to earn a sustainable income while Scots develop new and profound knowledge.