Celtic FC Foundation volunteers return home today from their truly inspiring and unforgettable Malawi Adventure, a journey which will no doubt live long in the memories of everyone who took part in the trip.

The group arrived at Heathrow Airport at 7am this morning and are currently en route to Celtic Park after an exhausting journey from Blantrye, Malawi that started more than 24 hours before.

After arriving in the country last week, our volunteers were made to feel incredibly welcome by every community they visited but, in particular, the teachers and pupils from Masalani Community Day Secondary School, where they worked for the majority of their time in Malawi. They spent time painting and decorating the new classroom block which had been part funded by the Foundation and the fundraising efforts of the volunteers since 2020.

The group created a lasting bond with the students at Masalini – their hard work having not only improved the facilities and increased students’ chances of attending university but also created a space which future generations from the local area can utilise and develop their education skills. A truly mammoth legacy to leave behind.

The volunteers’ final day was spent at the school, where they took part in a game of football with a mix of Foundation volunteers and the teachers in one team against the students, the final score being 0-0.

There was also time for a goodbye ceremony, with everyone in the community expressing their thanks to the group for all their efforts over the past week, and the Foundation acknowledging how welcome the team had been made to feel by the entire community at Masalani.

After witnessing a traditional Malawian dance, our volunteers then handed out an assortment of Celtic jerseys, shorts and socks to the teachers and students at the school as well as cases full of library books, pens, pencils, notebooks and other teaching materials.

It was then time for one last look at the school to see the finished product before an emotional goodbye.

Celtic’s Malawi Adventure 2024 has been a truly unique experience for our entire group of volunteers and there are so many people to thank for making the trip possible:

• Everyone who has sponsored or supported our volunteers
• Classrooms for Malawi – and Dezie in particular – for being our magnificent placement partners
• Mary’s Meals for allowing us to witness their feeding programme at one of our 67 Kitchens
• William Roberts and Linwood Coachworks who covered the cost of the return coach journey from Celtic Park to Heathrow and a meal for the team at the airport
• Kabula Lodge for meeting our accommodation needs
• The one and only Ozzie and our driver Isa from Orbis for providing a first class internal travel service as always
• And, of course, the wonderful children of the ‘Warm Heart of Africa’

Last but by no means least, thank you to our 10 volunteers for epitomising the core charitable essence of our football club over the past week – putting others before themselves.

• Matt Corr
• Robert Corr
• Frank Davis
• Stephanie Fulton
• Emma McBeth
• Sarah McLetchie
• James Murphy
• Karen Pattison
• Finn Rowden
• Lisa White

They came to Malawi as 10 individuals but leave as one family, sharing a life-changing experience they will never forget and the bonds formed will last forever.

The group may be heading home today but each and every one of them is leaving a little bit of their heart behind in Malawi.

All of our volunteers have done the Foundation and the entire Celtic Family proud in Malawi. You can continue to support the efforts of the volunteers by making a donation HERE.