Recently Phunzira was lucky enough to be shortlisted for a grant awarded by LinkedIn, the world's largest business network, called the Transformation Grant, which aims to provide funding for sustainable projects that transform people's lives. In December we were notified that we had succeeded in winning the grant, alongside two other projects. We would like to thank LinkedIn for their financial assistance in helping us reach our goals in Malawi, and also a big thank you to Laura Fox, a LinkedIn employee and Phunzira well-wisher, for giving us this wonderful opportunity. More details on how we plan to spend the money will be posted here soon so watch this space!

In 2010 Phunzira established a relationship with MNC, an independent media planning and buying agency that was keen to support Phunzira's goals in Malawi. That year they became our first corporate sponsor and we are extremely pleased that this relationship will be continuing into 2012. In 2011 their funding assisted us to provide furniture and roofs for the centre in Ruarwe, source materials for art clubs and youth groups, and, most importantly, purchase solar panels. So we are now proud to announce that with the help of MNC there is finally a source of power in this impoverished region, where many people have not even seen a light bulb before!
We would like to thank everyone at the company, especially Andrew McCutcheon (Managing Director) and Michael Nissim (Media Director) for giving us the opportunity to come and present at their offices in Farringdon, and for their invaluable support over the last two years.

On 2nd September Philippa Mander, a trainee nurse who came to join us out in Malawi in January, cut her hair off to raise money for the health boat that Phunzira aims to establish in Ruarwe.
Her hair went from 73cm to just 5cm (!!) and the hair itself was kindly donated to The Little Princess Trust, who provide real hair wigs to young people suffering from hair loss due to cancer treatments.
She is still continuing to fundraise for our cause and is now over the £500 mark! A massive thank you and well done! Her JustGiving page will be open for a while longer so to make a donation please click on the link below..

Phunzira is on the lookout for new volunteers! We don't charge you anything to join our volunteer programme and all accommodation in Ruarwe village is free-of-charge (thanks to the wonderful people at Zulunkhuni River Lodge). We are looking for anyone that can assist with gardening initiatives, management training, academic classes, life skills workshops, art sessions and health care. For anyone interested we have recently updated our Information Pack, Medical Pack and Welcome Pack -  just click on the volunteers page to find out more about coming to Malawi and what initiatives we have running at the moment...

A massive THANK YOU to the staff at TWIG, who on 15th July all headed off to the shores of the Isle of Arran off the west coast of Scotland to do a sponsored walk for Phunzira... in fancy dress!! Twig creates educational dvd's in science, and they have collectively managed to raise over £5,000 for IT resources at the educational centre in Ruarwe. In addition to raising huge funds, the organisation have decided to send out the two members of staff that raised the most money to volunteer with us in Ruarwe this year. Thank you to all the staff for their amazing efforts and well done to Naomi Walmsley and Lucy Douglas - we look forward to seeing you soon in Malawi!

On 24th July five members of staff at Blossom House School cycled a massive distance from London to Cornwall to raise money for Phunzira. They raised just under £2,000, and as well as this wonderful financial contribution they have also donated many paints and other art materials for use at the education centre in Ruarwe. We are thrilled to have their continued support in 2012 with the school links programme, and we are extremely proud to have welcomed one of their teachers to Malawi earlier ths year - THANK YOU!!!

A massive thank you to everyone that came to support us on 8th July for our art auction in Twickenham, South London. The evening was a fun filled Malawian-style night organised by a volunteer that came to join us in Malawi in April 2010 - Emma Jacobs. On the night, the auction, raffle and sales managed to raise over £800 for our charity whilst helping to support aspiring Malawian and British artists. A special thank you to Emma and her family for all their hard work and effort towards making the evening a wonderful success. Check out our "Gallery" page for more photos from the night!