Mission Malawi 3, May 2008

Mission Malawi 3 returned triumphant at the end of May 2008. Here's an account from ActionAid rep, Jesse Griffiths about the challenge.

We were 16 people from all walks of life, who raised £85,000 for ActionAid’s HIV / AIDS work. We did serious training so we could cycle and trek over 400km under the sizzling Malawian sun. We saw things we would never forget and met people who would touch our hearts forever. Together we would laugh, cry and became part of one team: Mission Malawi 3.

For six days we cycled huge distances up and down the dusty red roads, taking in the stunning scenery. Everywhere people greeted us, saying ‘Waa Waa’ – Hello! Children ran to the roadside to watch, to shout, to smile. When Billy's bike broke down, a man fixed it with a spanner taking only a smile and handshake in return.

Our team spirit grew with every kilometre as we pushed on towards our challenging 2 day trek through Liwonde National Park.

The projects, staff and volunteers inspired us everywhere. The Chisomo Children’s Club in Lilongwe helps street children reintegrate into their families and communities and tackles why they leave in the first place.

In Machinga small loans help women start their own businesses and take control of their lives. Dedicated volunteers educate their fellow villagers about HIV through music and drama.

We met courage and also hope; the People Living With the Virus Network have successfully lobbied their local government to provide antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) in local clinics, providing thousands with access to medication. The leader thanked us for the fundraising we’ve done, and asked us to keep raising more. We saw the money is needed and extraordinary impact of the projects.

We returned home, as Mission Malawi 3, with a wonderful sense of collective achievement, friends for life, determined to do more, inspired by a sense that we were part of something far greater than we could ever have imagined.

Les and the team are now planning Mission Malawi 4 to take place in May 2010. To find out more and register your interest, email your name, address and phone number to Helen.Walker@actionaid.org

Watch highlights of this year's extraordinary challenge.

photo : ©Dan Cleland/ActionAid