Shipping container bound for Malawi

Posted: March 27, 2014 4:00 p.m.

Grade 8 students at St. Pius Elementary School load shipping container.
Grade 8 students at St. Pius Elementary School load shipping container. Photo courtesy of External Relations

A 40-foot shipping container full of needed items is on its way to the African country of Malawi thanks to the University of Regina, SaskTel and countless other volunteers.

Over the past six years, the University of Regina’s partnership with the University of Malawi Polytechnic has supported the Government of Malawi's poverty-reduction strategy. Today, the U of R, in partnership with SaskTel, SIAST, the Regina Catholic School Division, the Ministry of Health and the Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region held a very special event. A 40-foot shipping container was packed with textbooks, medical equipment and school furniture, and is now bound for schools and hospitals in the African country.

“We are very pleased to be partnering with so many excellent organizations to make this a reality,” said Dr. Thomas Chase, Provost and Vice-President (Academic) at the University of Regina, who was on hand to help load the container. “Being able to send these materials will make a huge difference in the lives of many Malawians.”

The supplies will support a number of schools in Malawi, from primary to University level, as well as the School of Nursing, and a local hospital.

“Since 2006, SaskTel has had the opportunity to engage with a variety of partners and businesses around the Province through the We See You Program, sending vital medical and educational equipment and supplies to places in the world that lack many of the basic things that we take for granted in Saskatchewan,” said, Ron Styles, SaskTel President and CEO. “Congratulations to everyone involved in this inspiring project.”