The managing partner of Bath-based Epoch Wealth Management has travelled to Africa to deliver essential school supplies to children in one of the world’s poorest countries.
Barry Newbury visited the Bunda Primary School in Malawi where he handed out pens, paper and other stationery items plus several reconditioned laptops for the children to use.
Epoch Wealth Management has donated about £2,000 worth of stationery and computer equipment to the school in Malawi’s capital Lilongwe.
Many classrooms in the impoverished African state lack even the most basic school equipment that children need for their education.
Woods Business Services agreed to supply the stationery items to Epoch at cost price and waive its profits.
Barry also took with him suitcases full of clothing to give to African women and children, which were donated by friends and relatives back in the UK.
“I was preparing to visit a friend in Malawi who told me about the extreme poverty there,” said Barry. “Many people don’t have shoes or running water and schools lack even the most basic equipment, so I thought I would take what I could.
“I took several cases of luggage crammed full of supplies and it must’ve looked like I was emigrating. But it was all worth it to see the look on people’s faces when we handed out the items I had brought.
“People were very happy and clearly moved.
“The schoolchildren thanked us with singing and dancing, and they even put on a play especially for us. It was an amazing experience.”