Rose of Tralee lends helping hand to Malawi project

ROSE of Tralee Charmaine Kenny is in Africa where she is visiting Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) projects aimed at making Malawians more self-sufficient.

Malawi is one of the poorest countries in Africa, with many of its 14 million inhabitants living in extreme poverty. VSO sends experienced professionals to developing countries such as Malawi where they work to develop their educational, health and business sectors.

Charmaine, from Athy, Co Kildare, visited the Zuzuga Tea Growers Association which began as a VSO project with 11 locals but now has 400 members. Last year it produced 1.5 million tons of tea. VSO volunteers helped the Malawians develop a small out-growers scheme where they plant tea. Tea is Malawi’s biggest export but most tea estates are privately owned.