Senga Bay...
                   ...so 'Cool'
Cool Projects in Senga Bay, the brainchild of Samantha Ludick, continues to go from strength to strength helping the local people to help themselves.  Since the article in the July-December 2010 issue of AutoFocus, there have been many achievements of note.
The Community Library run by the Parachute Battalion on their school premises has been going strong since its opening in May this year, which was well attended by many locals and VIPs and, in the months since it became operational, the number of registered library members has risen to over 300.

Even more exciting is that one of Sam’s clients is arranging for 10 computers to be delivered to the library and fully installed by the beginning of March 2012. The children and staff are very much looking forward to the opportunity to use the internet to boost the already tremendous amount of research material currently available.
The children at the Hampton Safe Haven have also been learning some new and fun skills.  They have been taking part in arts and crafts sessions producing family trees, fans and Christmas decorations.  They have also learnt and thoroughly embraced the game of Ten Pin Bowling.  They first made and decorated the pins and then learnt the rules of the game, which they have been asking to play every day since then!  It’s important to note that all the crafts were made using recycled material found in the village.
The Senga Bay Community Police recently received some visitors from the Tanzanian Police Force.  They were so impressed by the service provided by the volunteers that they are keen to implement a similar service in their own country.  Due to the excellent work the Community Police are carrying out, the Malawi Police Service Headquarters has formally issued all the officers with a reflective vest, torch and whistle.

Samantha remains a staunch supporter of the Rovers Football Team and she watches as many matches as time allows in her busy schedule.  Her enthusiastic support and the dedication of the team has helped raise them to Division 2 of the Chipiku League this season.  This is no mean feat as the Rovers players are considerably younger than most of the teams they play against and yet, for much of the season, Rovers had the highest goal scorer in the division!

There’s good news about donations of “Red Gold” as well. Sam’s friends and clients have averaged 15 blood donations a month to Salima District Hospital, where their efforts have managed to save many lives and help to heal many of the 340,000 people in the hospital’s catchment area. The hospital is always looking for new donors so, if you’re passing, maybe you’d like to help out?
Not only has the local area been benefitting from the extra supplies of blood but also many of the disabled community have gained their independence through donations of 24 wheelchairs and three hand-powered tricycles.  I’ve personally had the pleasure of delivering two wheelchairs locally and have spoken to some of the men who now own one of these tricycles and all say their lives have been transformed immeasurably. These donations have not  only enabled the owners to get about more easily but they have also helped to restore their dignity and reduce their reliance on friends and family.
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Cool Agriculture has helped many people in the local area, especially those who are less fortunate due to personal circumstances. My Ferrari I has become such a popular sight in the villages that Sam has since received a second V tractor, My Ferrari II.

Cool Projects recently received a donation of a Suzuki Maruti 4x4. Despite being considerably smaller than her big old Chevy, it’s surprisingly spacious and is frequently crammed full of supplies on many a trip back from Lilongwe. It’s even possible to fit in wheelchairs, bags of maize and fertiliser... and the odd helper.  The Maruti is also very economical on fuel - which is just as well these days!
The many different schemes that Cool Projects supports are only possible thanks to Sam’s energy and enthusiasm and the generosity of her friends and clients.  There’s always a way for you to help, by offering financial assistance or simply some of your time, so please check out Cool Runnings Malawi on Facebook or call Sam on 0999 915 173 for details of the projects and ways in which you can support them.
Please help Samantha and her team to help the local people to help themselves.