***CAMPAIGN UPDATE***

Stuart Brown, CEO of SMP writes:

"I write to share the really encouraging news that, thanks to the kind support of many, enough has been raised to help enable Mphatso to fly to India and have the brain tumour surgery which he urgently requires. Whilst experiencing acute headaches, impaired vision and other challenging symptoms, Mphatso remains inspiringly positive and sends his warmest thanks and heartfelt appreciation.

Dialogue in Malawi with Mphatso’s Medical Insurance Company has resulted in them agreeing to pay more towards the costs than they had initially suggested to Mpha. Whilst their contribution will not meet all of the costs, (which include travel for a companion for Mpha to help nurse him and be there for important discussions on treatment), what has been raised in Malawi and on the Just Giving site will cover this immediate shortfall. Travel and treatment would not have been possible without this collective effort and Mphatso and his wife Nafe are grateful to everyone who has contributed. 100% of the money raised will be used by Mphatso for costs associated with his medical treatment.

Visa applications for India have been submitted and flights will be booked accordingly, as soon as possible.

Mphatso, Nafe and their baby daughter still face many unknowns, including regards future treatment, and timelines for recovery and ability to earn, which is key to this hard-working couple. Anything that anyone else wishes to donate will be put to the best use for Mphatso’s recovery and the wellbeing of his family and the Just Giving site will remain open until the end of March to make this possible."

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Longstanding friend of the Scotland Malawi Partnership (SMP), Mphatso Sapangwa has a brain tumour and urgently needs surgery in India to remove it. The SMP and our sister organisation the Malawi Scotland Partnership (MaSP) are launching a fundraising campaign to help make this possible.

Mphatso will be known to many as the Finance Officer of MaSP and some will have met him in Scotland when he joined our AGM & Annual Gathering in Glasgow in October 2018.

Medics in Malawi are recommending surgery in India and medical insurance is likely only to cover around 20% of the total cost of treatment, flights and accommodation, estimated to be $20k (£15,745).

Pictured together, Mphatso (36) and his wife Nafe have just celebrated their daughter Iris Kayla's 1st birthday.

SMP CEO Stuart Brown said:

“A gentle, warm, hard-working and intelligent family man who has been integral to MaSP’s work, Mphatso recently began experiencing difficulties with his sight and an MRI scan revealed a brain tumour pressing on his optic nerve. Mphatso is affectionately known as ‘Uncle Mpha’, because he looks after everyone else so thoughtfully. If you have a friend who consistently goes the extra mile and does whatever is needed to ensure that everyone else is ok, you know Mpha. Now he needs help. Any support that anyone can give, however small, will help us to raise what’s needed for this vital surgery.

We recognise that there are multiple needs in Malawi, Scotland and internationally and will continue to promote and champion members’ campaigns.”