The example and generosity of Maltese ladies who have been raising funds for Malawi is considered to be the “number one inspiration” by the Ripple Africa charity, which has donors worldwide.

Such is the initiative of the Maltese group that it has drawn Ripple Africa’s representative, Megan Canning, to Malta to thank donors personally for their sterling work.

“Malta is an inspiration for our other fund-raising groups all over the world,” she said.

Over the past three years, about €16,000 was raised – including €8,000 through a recent charity lunch and fashion show – to provide “a hand up, not a handout”, as Ripple Africa’s motto goes.

Funds collected by the Maltese group tend to be smaller but they are the most consistent and have added up. Money is constantly flowing in and is not a one-off.

“Our relationship is special,” said Ms Canning, whose trip to Malta was her first outside the UK to visit a donor. “It is in honour of the Maltese women and what they are doing for us.”

Ripple Africa was first approached about three years ago by Francesca Bianchi, who was seeking a charity that sent any money directly to the source.

“We could have never imagined back then how important the contribution of the Maltese community would be.

“It would be fantastic if we had more people like Francesca and the charitable spirit of the country has been unique and surprising,” Ms Canning acknowledged.

Ripple Africa is a grassroots charity that works from the bottom up, involving the local community network. Its two founders work on it full time for free and Ms Canning, the projects manager, is the only UK employee.

She spends one month a year in Malawi and described the poverty in Nkhata Bay, the district Ripple Africa focuses on, as different: “The spirit is positive and fun, rather than sad.”

Ripple Africa is running a major campaign to get people worldwide to March to Malawi. The idea is to collectively walk the distance between the UK and Malawi – 8,474 miles – with 40 groups and individuals marching 210 miles each to raise funds.

Of course, the Maltese are taking the initiative seriously. In this case a whole group of women have been meeting and clocking up the miles. Their next walk is scheduled for Xrobb l-Għaġin on June 4.

“Malta is the number one group in the March to Malawi campaign,” said Ms Canning, adding that its story was proving to be an example.

Ripple Africa is also on a drive to recruit volunteers. It sends doctors, nurses and teachers to Nkhata Bay for about three months.

But the charity does not just send adult professionals out to Malawi. It also trains the Malawians to teach themselves and empowers locals, including women, to take on senior management posts on the projects.

As a result, it has more than 100 staff running the operation in Malawi and is the main employer in the area.

Among its projects is a fuel-efficient stove concept and the introduction of bee-keeping.

Schools have been built, community vegetable gardens cultivated to treat malnourished children and other health care initiatives are supported.

www.rippleafrica.org