Susan has arrived safely in Lilongwe although her last flight was rather delayed.

She had a good meeting with Mary (Chanasa chair).

Susan tried to visit Grace Pads in Likuni but failed as she couldn’t find the sewing room and the lady in charge was on her day off. However, she made contact and Susan will visit at the end of herstay in Malawi when she has more time. (Grace Pads make sanitary pads in Lilongwe area).

Together with the friends Nellie and Chris who she stays with, Susan visited a project called Starfish which is run from the UK (Kent) and works in the north of Malawi. They have several different projects including sanitary pads and confirmed that we have the right design and Susan came way with some suggestions for improvements and details of what they pay the ladies who make them there. They have a training centre where they train the women how to make the sanitary pads. In the rural areas the women sew in schools and the sewing machines were donated ones from the UK.

Susan travelled to Blantryre last week and is staying in a different place but is very pleased with it. She has had good meetings with Gift of the Givers who are partners in the Lotus Sanitary Pad Project.  She is starting to run workshops next week. Pictures to follow.