A young Thornton woman’s dream to raise money to provide showering cubicles in a remote African maternity unit kicks off with a fund-raising film premiere at Maitland’s Reading Cinema on Friday.
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Maddie Butler, 19, hopes to eventually raise $5000 to provide six shower cubicles at the Bwengu Health Centre in Malawi.
Maddie, a volunteer worker, has appealed to Maitland people to help her.
The fund-raising evening begins at 5.45pm with pre movie drinks, nibbles and raffles before the movie comedy Mortdecai is screened.
Tickets cost $20 and Maddie’s appeal for help came yesterday from her mum Trish Butler on behalf of her daughter who is still in Malawi.
“Maddie volunteered to work in Africa after completing her HSC in 2013,” Mrs Butler, who visited her in Malawi recently said.
“The Bwengu Health Centre provides services for 18,000
people each year, but the maternity block has very basic bathing areas,” Mrs Butler said.
“The cubicles provide no privacy and Maddie wants to raise about $5000 to provide six secure cubicles.
“If possible, she would also like to buy some new beds for the maternity unit too, because at present there are only five – with up to 20 expectant mothers at any time.
“This project is very achievable if we had the funds, because the materials for building and the labour are all available locally.
“We are very grateful to Yvette Cavanagh, manager of Maitland’s Reading Cinema, for screening this movie for us.”
Maddie, a nurse who wants to study to become a paramedic, has already sourced all the building materials needed in Malawi for the project.
“I have seen how people in Malawi struggle to live and know what lovely people they are,” Mrs Butler said.
“So we are hoping Maitland people will come to the movie premier on Friday and have an enjoyable evening, while also helping those in need.”
