For the first time in six years Celtic FC Foundation returned to Malawi, as our volunteers arrived safely in ‘the warm heart of Africa’, following a gruelling journey which began at Celtic Park more than 24 hours before.

Their trip began at 7.45am on Sunday morning, as the group left Celtic Park by coach for Heathrow Airport, affording them plenty of time to get to know one another.

And we are exceptionally grateful to William Roberts and Linwood Coachworks who very generously covered the cost of the return coach journey, together with a meal for the team at Heathrow Airport.

The volunteers then set off on an initial flight to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, before travelling on to Blantyre, Malawi, where they were met with their first challenge of the trip - as around half of the cases had failed to arrive!

The tired but excited group arrived at their accommodation in Blantyre, where they settled for a well-earned rest, ahead of the first day of volunteer work.

Raring to go on Tuesday morning, the volunteers made their way to Masalani Community Day Secondary School, where they will work for the remainder of their time in Malawi.

The school, which also previously benefited from Foundation support back in 2018, had only four classrooms but required at least six to cater for the range of secondary school subjects.

A number of the participants from the current group had originally been scheduled to travel to Zambia in 2020, but the trip was postponed due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Monies raised back in 2020 have helped fund the building of a new two classroom block at Masalani.

Accompanied by a representative from our partner, Classrooms for Malawi, the group received the warmest of welcomes, taking part in a ceremony consisting of songs and poems from the young people at the school and speeches from the local MP for the area, the Educational Division Manager (EDM) and the Headteacher.

Ross Hart of Celtic FC Foundation, who is leading the group, also said a few words, thanking the local community for their kindness so far and participating in a ceremonial hand over, with the EDM officially opening the new classroom block funded through the Foundation.

Celtic FC Foundation return to Malawi for first time in six years