Abbas Rest Orphans

I first visited Africa [Kenya] in 1986 with a youth group, but didn’t  return to Africa via  Malawi until 2003 when I felt that I had arrived home!  I find the Malawians so warm hearted and friendly & thank God that He keeps taking me back there

I first became aware of ARO in January 2002 at a Malawian evening in Carsphairn. Many issues touched my heart that night, the staggering poverty the need and the bland food we tasted. Since then my involvement with ARO has gradually increased and i am currently the `PO Box Boy`  I thank all the many friends and supporters for their generosity and faithfulness.

I was introduced to Abbas Rest in the summer of 2011 through Jim Walsham who asked if i would like to help with the administration. After prayerful consideration I agreed to join the team. Since childhood I had had the idea of helping children who are suffering and I am glad to be able to help in this way. It is a blessing to be part of this work and i look forward to becoming more involved and would love to visit Malawi at some point.

Founders of ARO, They first went to Malawi in 2000, and saw the poverty, children in rags, eating whatever was thrown on the ground and eating mice. they returned and told their story of the conditions in Malawi. Peter returned in 2001 with clothes and toys. 23 orphans were put onto a feeding program funded by donations, They then spent a year in Malawi with their children and added more orphans to the ARO feeding program (see History of ARO) and they say, The rest is history. ARO now supports 300 children.

Raimo is a retired headteacher from Lappeenranta, Finland. He joined ARO in 2002 as the Finland Manager. when asked why he joined ARO his words were " What else could i do? I have followed the beginnings of Abbas Rest Orphans from the start as my daughter Kirsi is a co-founder of the charity. I saw God moving powerfully to help the orphaned children in Malawi, so I wanted to be His ` hands ' here in Finland. My most demanding task is translating and editing the Finnish ARO Newsletter. I feel guided in this work, it is rewarding seeing the children from desperately poor beginnings growing into healthy and skilful teenagers."

Mt first trip to Africa, was to Tanzania in 2006, i was part of a mission team and I was the handyman. i saw the poor conditions the poorest of the poor lived and the hovels they called home. I came back and helped to fund raise for these families and orphans. I returned to Tanzania in 2007 and 2008. in 2007 i was invited by Peter to visit the orphan care centres in Malawi. I was very impressed how ARO was run and the happiness of the children. comparing ARO to other orphan care centres I had seen was not hard. ARO was better run. I was asked to join ARO in January 2008 and as a result have become the main contact in the UK. and am very involved with the Malawian side by visiting regularly and starting new projects and seeing to the normal running of the centres. I am thoroughly enjoying my time in Malawi and I hope it continues for a long time.

William (on the left) our general manager is responsible for ARO operations in Malawi overall. He has a good rapport with the children and cares for them. He is married and has one son and also runs the Chiringa centre.

Gladys is a woman of many talents, she teaches, looks after volunteers, she worked in the office. now she is matron of the children in our Muona centre. She has a good heart and is very much appreciated.

Aubrey (on the right) is our driver, taking monthly maize distribution to the sub stations. He is also now our vehicle mechanic instructor of the boys on our skills course, teaching basic mechanical repairs. He is of the bush breed, using anything available to repair vehicles, a good knowledge to have in the bush.

Dennis is our new Manager at Muona centre. He comes to us with high recommendation. He worked for another Scottish charity which sadly had to pull out of the Muona district. Dennis is married with 2 children and has already become an asset to ARO. He has brought new ideas which, some of them will be implemented in the future. Dennis had a wide knowledge and already knows what we want from a manager and has not disappointed us. With his leadership the Muona centre will continue to provide the best care for the children under our wing.