Northiam W.I. send teddies to African village

MEMBERS of Northiam W.I. created 147 knitted teddies to send to children in a village in Malawi.

The teddies are currently making the 5,000 mile journey to the small village of Chitiwiri

Margaret Hinds, from Northiam W.I. said: “They are expected to arrive in March. Sally Bickersteth, from the village, will be visiting Chitiwiri in June and taking a few more teddies with her. These are for children who have never owned a toy.”

The W.I. beat its original target of making 130 teddies - one for every child in the village.

They are now fund-raising to provide an irrigation system to help villagers grow extra food to get them through the ‘hungry months’ of January to March, during which children are at risk of dying.

Mrs Hinds said: “We communicate directly with the village so we know exactly where the aid and money is going to.

“We are thrilled to have exceeded our target and grateful for the help from members and villagers who made it possible.”