Our so called “Box Project” involves a large shipment of humanitarian aid supplies that will be delivered to Malawi through collaboration between World Care International and the University of Arizona. World Care is directed and founded by Lisa Hopper, a former teacher, who has experience shipping aid supplies to more than 30 different countries over the last ten years. Hopper and her volunteers are especially experts in getting books and school supplies into the hands of children and communities in developing countries.

This will be World Care’s first shipment to Malawi, for which they are partnering with Dr. Wayne Decker and his International Studies students from the University of Arizona. Three students are responsible for fundraising the $15,000 needed to cover transport costs, while World Care will provide all of the supplies to fill a 40ft shipping container. This is serious business!

As many of you know, Jon and I are both graduates of the International Studies program and remain in close contact with Dr.Decker. We have been recruited to receive and distribute the aid supplies while we are here in Malawi. Currently we are doing our ground work to understand the transportation network from ports in Tanzania, Mozambique and South Africa to Malawi (a land-locked country with a minimally functional rail system). We are also assessing needs in the areas of education, health and technology to inform World Care of supplies that would been most appropriate.

Check back for updates on fundraising, shipping, distribution and plans for future shipments to Malawi.