From Thatcham to East Africa: Scout out helping communities in need

A Thatcham Scout has travelled to East Africa to help communities in need.

After months of fundraising, 14-year-old Charlie Miklos-Denton left for Malawi on Sunday night (July (28) to take part in a three-week humanitarian project.

The landlocked country, located in south eastern Africa, is one of the poorest in the world, according to charity Action on Poverty.

Mr Charlie Miklos-Denton, representing the 2nd Thatcham Scout Group, will be working in very dry conditions to build a new care centre and refurbish an existing one in a nearby village – sleeping in a tent each night.

But it took time and work to fund his trip, as his mother explains.

“It’s been hard work raising the money,” said Julie Miklos-Denton.

“We started from scratch. It’s been a major learning curve.”

Mrs Miklos-Denton said the family spent hours trailing Thatcham High Street in search of businesses who would sponsor Charlie.

But thanks to some generous donations from friends, family and the community, they raised around £3,550, including a £1,500 contribution from his local Scout leader.

“He’s a dedicated Scout. He didn’t know anybody, but he signed up,” Mrs Miklos-Denton added about Charlie, who is currently studying for his GCSEs at Kennet School.

“He will work closely with the local Malawian children and learn about their culture.

“It should be an eye-opening experience for him.”

Edward Nyamwera, a Scout leader from Malawi Scouts, spoke to the 1st Purley and Pangbourne about what Berkshire Scouts’ Project Africa means for his community.

He said: “The interaction has been really perfect.

“We have learnt a lot from them {Berkshire Scouts} and they have been interested to learn some of our skills.

“They’re not only coming here for the project, but to interact with the Scouts in Blantyre.

“We’re making long-lasting friendships.”

Berkshire Scouts will be working in the rural village of Milo, near Blantyre in southern Malawi.

The project will also include some smaller work at local schools.