Scotland and Malawi share more than their beautiful hills, the similarity of which is often remarked upon by visitors from one country to the other.
Links between the two countries date back to the 19th Century when explorer David Livingstone travelled up the Zambezi and Shire Rivers to Lake Malawi. The visit, in 1859, was long before current borders of the East African country were established but it began a partnership between the two nations that continues to develop.
Both the Church of Scotland and the Free Church of Scotland had established missions in Malawi by the mid 1870s.
These foundations provide the base for continuing links between the two countries and are reflected in the make-up of some of Christian Aid partner organisations in Malawi, which include the Church of Central Africa, Presbyterian.
Schools and churches
Schools and churches throughout Scotland have close links with people, projects and places in Malawi and politicians have also sought to develop links. The former First Minister, Jack McConnell, established the Scottish Malawi Appeal Fund in 2005 and is due to become the UK's High Commissioner to Malawi in 2009.
The current Scottish Government continues to support projects in Malawi through its international development fund, which includes supporting Christian Aid Scotland’s HIV Connections project. There is also a Cross Party Group on Malawi.
Christian Aid Scotland is a member of the Scotland Malawi Partnership, an independent charitable organisation. The partnership aims to foster links between the two nations and to encourage development of sustainable projects in Malawi.