In 2014, MAMA was introduced to Leigh Southwell - an incredibly passionate and compassionate Australian who was living in the Solomon Islands and keen to 'make her mark' in support of the Mercy School in the Burns Creek settlement of Honiara. We were immediately inspired by Leigh's vision to help the children in the settlement … Continue reading Beautiful chaos – insights from MAMA Director, Leigh Southwell
Exciting progress in the remote village of Tholana!
We love hearing updates from our projects and it's fantastic to see the MAMA Kindergarten in the remote Solomon Islands village of Tholana take shape! In early 2020, the community approached MAMA to seek assistance to build a new safe and secure kindergarten in the village. Notwithstanding the challenges and restrictions imposed by COVID-19, the … Continue reading Exciting progress in the remote village of Tholana!
A library full of new books to celebrate 10 fantastic years!
In celebration of ten fantastic years of partnership between MAMA and the Sishemo Foundation, MAMA has recently funded the re-stocking of the MAMA Resource Centre at Northgate Academy in Lusaka, Zambia. With over 800 new books, the children will now have access to additional curriculum resources, and an extra 300 children will be able to … Continue reading A library full of new books to celebrate 10 fantastic years!
MAMA + Mercy School + St Edmund’s College = positive developments!
Earlier this year, one of MAMA’s Directors, Leigh Southwell, coordinated a visit by eight students and four staff from St Edmund’s College, Canberra, to Honiara in the Solomon Islands to spend ten days immersing themselves in Solomon culture and contributing time and funds to local communities. They also planned to spend a large part of … Continue reading MAMA + Mercy School + St Edmund’s College = positive developments!
Connecting kids through letter exchanges
In an initiative led by one of MAMA’s Directors, Leigh Southwell, some Australian kids have been developing links with students at one of MAMA’s partner schools, Mercy School in Honiara. The program connects students through a hand written letter exchange. The letters provide an avenue for kids in Australia and the Solomon Islands to share … Continue reading Connecting kids through letter exchanges
Powerful stories of 10 years with Sishemo
In celebration of the 10th anniversary of the partnership between Make A Mark Australia and the Sishemo Foundation in Lusaka, Zambia, some of the current and former students have discussed the impact of MAMA's contribution on their learning. They're powerful stories of how young children are optimising their potential. https://youtu.be/YiOJKK5AGVk In Sishemo's video, the Executive Director, … Continue reading Powerful stories of 10 years with Sishemo
How MAMA makes a mark
It was on 21 March 2009 - ten years ago - that we were first introduced to the inspiring children at Sishemo. We sat in an overcrowded hall, listening to their songs and were moved by their energy, optimism and hope. Most of the children were orphans and living in child-run households. Many of them … Continue reading How MAMA makes a mark
#MAMA10for10 – celebrating 10 years!
This month marks the tenth anniversary of MAMA. Ten years since we first looked into the eyes of the kids at Sishemo in Lusaka and saw a world of hope and optimism. A world where we all have the potential, and responsibility, to make our mark. Since our launch in 2009, we have completed 12 … Continue reading #MAMA10for10 – celebrating 10 years!
More powerful together.
In recognition of International Women's Day, we're celebrating the incredible role that women across the world have played in helping MAMA to empower over 50,000 children in the last ten years. Any community is enriched when women and girls have equal access to opportunities; when women's voices are strong; and when gender equality is a … Continue reading More powerful together.
Making a big mark in 2018!
The end of the year is an important time to reflect and give thanks. At MAMA, we're no different. We are so grateful for our wonderful supporters and tremendously dedicated volunteers who have made their mark throughout 2017. Together, we have helped empower thousands of children in need right across our region. At a time … Continue reading Making a big mark in 2018!
