Students in the College of Health and Human Services’ Department of Social Work will soon pack their bags for an unlikely Spring Break destination.
Diana Rowan, assistant professor of social work, plans to lead a group of social work students on a 10-day study abroad program to Malawi, a sub-Saharan African country that continues to struggle with a crippling HIV/AIDs epidemic. Through the program, now in its second consecutive year, students and faculty will organize and participate in hands-on, experiential service-learning activities at two Malawi-based non-governmental organizations.
Before departing Charlotte Friday, March 1, the group needs cash and material donations to make the trip a success. Students and faculty will put the tax-deductible donations to use at five locations throughout the southern region of Malawi.
Donations sought include:
- School supplies – basic items, notebooks, pens, pencils, markers, crayons
- Individually wrapped candy – not chocolate or spicy
- Flat bed sheets (used)
- Craft supplies
- Light jackets/raincoats for adults and children (used)
- Small hand tools
- Kitchen items
- Portable photo printer
- Laptop (used - make sure input is “variable voltage” 110-220 in U.S., transformer to convert to 220-240 voltage in Malawi)
- Video camera (used – make sure input follows voltage specifications listed above)
- Small, culturally appropriate toys (no white-skinned baby dolls or “scary monster” toys). Toys should not be broken, need batteries or feature small parts. Preferably no religious themes. Used toys will be accepted.
- Stickers for kids
- Toothbrushes/toothpastes
- Yardage of cotton fabric – in a variety of types - for sewing clothes. This includes flannel, satin, linen, gauze, coarse, etc. for deaf/blind children.
- Clothes for adults and children (no pants or shirts for girls or women; men’s work shirts are needed). New clothes will be accepted, although donor should not spend money to purchase.
- Culturally appropriate children’s books (used)
- Bubbles
- Balls – soccer balls are best (hand pumps needed to inflate/deflate balls for transport); some small foam or plastic balls
- Beanie babies and small stuffed animals
- Snorkels, masks, fins (used okay). These items are need to survey dangerous snail problem.
- Cash to purchase items listed above
Participants in last year’s “NGOs in Malawi: Strategies for Social Development in Sub-Saharan Africa” course, which included a campus-based component focused on social work in an international context, raised $2,400 and collected more than 600 pounds of supplies to support their efforts.
Checks payable to the UNC Charlotte Foundation (include Malawi on the memo line) should be mailed to: UNC Charlotte Foundation, Attn: Heather Shaughnessy, 9201 University City Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28223. Monetary donations can also be made online through www.giving.uncc.edu (select “Other” from the dropdown menu on the right of the page and list “Malawi” as the Designation).
Donors should drop off supplies and items at the Department of Social Work, located on the fourth floor of the College of Health and Human Services (contact Janet Baker at 704-687-7938 or jabaker@uncc.edu for directions).
Questions about donations should be directed to Diana Rowan at drowan@uncc.edu.
The group will accept donations through Sunday, Feb. 24.