A team of Glasgow-based construction workers are gearing up for their visit to Malawi by packing-up the supplies and materials donated to their project by companies across the UK.
The team of six tradespeople and two Commonwealth apprentices from leading Scottish construction company City Building (Glasgow) LLP, working with Glasgow City Council and Access LLP, will travel to Malawi in September to refurbish a medical centre in the country’s capital Lilongwe.
The £20,000 worth of materials, will be shipped this month ahead of their arrival. Donor firms include Gap, Grahams, Headlam and PPG who pledged power tools, plumbing materials, white goods, decorating materials, joiner materials and ironmongery to help with continuing construction improvements in the country.
Lord Provost, Sadie Docherty said: “”I am extremely proud of everyone who, on my behalf, contributes their time and skill to help the people of Malawi. I would also like to acknowledge the kindness of the firms who donated supplies. This is work that will bring lasting benefit to the folk of Malawi. As I have said before, it is especially heartening that two young Commonwealth apprentices are involved. I know it will be a life-changing experience for them.
“”Glasgow City Council is proud of its long standing relationship with Malawi. Along with City Building and Access LLP, we have supported a number of health and education projects in Lilongwe, Dedza and Mangochi.
“”Malawi is one of the world’s poorest countries and Glasgow’s industrial wealth owes a great deal to sourcing raw materials from there and other countries within the Commonwealth. Our work helps give something back in a meaningful way. This is also one of our pledges for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.””
City Building working in partnership with Glasgow City Council has been sending teams to Malawi since 2008. The team will travel to Lilongwe to renovate the medical centre by building new kitchen and toilet facilities and adding a new dental suite, pharmacy and laboratory.
In addition all the rooms will be decorated and given new floor finishes. The team will also build short stay accommodation, a breakout area for parents and children and a ramp will be installed to ensure the facility is accessible.
Graham Paterson, Executive Director at City Building, said: “”We’d like to say thank you to all the companies that made donations to this project. Their generosity will allow the team to deliver a medical centre that will help those most in need.
“”This year will mark the fourth year we have been involved in the Malawi project funded by the Lord Provost€„¢s Malawi Fund and displays our continued commitment to engage with Commonwealth communities in need.””
The team from Access LLP will install IT equipment in schools, universities, hospitals and local government offices and deliver a programme of IT training to teachers, medical staff and local government staff.
The team travelling to Malawi are:
Gillian Walsh (Lord Provost and International Office)
Brian Kelly (former Director of Environmental Protection Services)
City Building:
Scott McEwan:
Project Leader (Plumbing / Ventilation / Air Conditioning), Paul Brown (Assistant Project Leader / Electrical / Planning / Procurement), Martin Bredin (Joiner), Chris Devlin (Electrician), Graham Robb (Painter), Simon Young (Joiner), Cllr Paul Carey (Multi-trade), Lee Thomson (Apprentice Joiner) and Lee Raeburn (Apprentice Painter).
Access LLP:
Maria Quintas Zon (Senior Analyst/Programmer); Sammy Birnie(IT Professional Officer); Robert McPhee (Senior Data Analyst); Ashley Bickerstaff(SAM Data Analyst)
