JUNE 28-JULY 1, 2001
Thousands mobilized as "torch" reaches Malawi!
Ruth Namyala arrives from Uganda with the "torch."
Ruth Namyalo of Uganda and Jesse Kaonde of Malawi traveled together from the airport to Blantyre via float, with thousands of well-wishers greeting them during the one-hour journey.
(The following report was written by Carol Coonrod following the June 30th conference call with the investor delegation in Malawi).
JUNE 30 - BLANTYRE, MALAWI: Today was described as a "victorious day for The Hunger Project." More than 18,000 people gathered at the Jali Epicenter in Malawi, including the President of the country, H.E. Mr. Maluzi and the First Lady, to celebrate the women food farmers of the country.
Jessie Kaunde accepted the Africa Prize statue from Ruth
Namyalo of Uganda, and The Hunger Project investors were given a "dancing
ovation". The president was so inspired by what The Hunger Project is
accomplishing that he and the First Lady personally invested 30,000 kwatcha (the
equivalence of 4 year's income) to Jesse Kaunde and will have a well built
for her fish farm.
Crowd of 18,000 gather to celebrate the woman farmer.
The President asked that the investor delegation tell all other investors that the money invested by The Hunger Project to Malawi will be used for the purpose it was intended, and he thanked The Hunger Project for accepting his invitation to begin its work in his country.
At yesterday's events, some 600 village women and the investor women all wore matching skirts in a blue and white print, with the Africa Prize symbol emblazoned on it. Today, the First Lady arrived in a matching outfit! It was reported that this goes against protocol, but she was so taken by yesterday's celebration that she wanted to express her solidarity with the women in this way.
Investor delegation at Jali Epicenter sign
Kumio Sawanobori of Japan, a very new investor in The Hunger Project, expressed what it meant to her to be in Malawi and shake the hand of the President and First Lady: She said, "I am filled with excitement and joy. As an investor in The Hunger Project, I know that many people built a path for me, and I know that I am responsible for the next path. That is why I am here. There are thousands of people to follow me."
Suzanne Frindt of the US spoke for all Hunger Project investors today -- her audience numbered 18,000 people! Dressed in a bright orange dress, she was gracious, clear and spoke "like a laser beam" as she expressed our solidarity and partnership with the women and men of Jali Epicenter and all of Malawi.
The delegation from Uganda included Doris Koconco, AWFFI director, Ruth Namyalo, representative of all women farmers of Uganda and Jeanne Gasasira, THP country director. With them are Kimio Sawanobori and Kumiko Hirata of Japan, both members of the investor delegation.
Jesse Kaonde, Uganda delegation, investor delegation, and other dignitaries gathered around President Maluzi of Malawi.
President Maluzi greets Callista Chimombo, THP country director of Malawi.
The Hunger Project was the lead story on today's television news, in an eight-minute program!
Our team of global investors from five countries linked up with their partners around the world at 10pm Malawi time each night from June 28 through July 1st. Each call lasted approximately 20 minutes.
You can listen to the RealAudio recordings of each days call by clicking on the links below.