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| By Katelyn Gendron Reminder Assistant Editor WEST SPRINGFIELD Each September, Margaret Riordan embarks on a 28-hour journey from her residence in Cape McClear, Malawi, Africa to The Big E. Since 2003, Riordan has been making the trip to update Western Massachusetts residents about the progress of Billy's Malawi Project, a non-profit organization founded by Riordan to improve the quality of life for those in Cape McClear. Riordan has committed her life to this organization in memory of her son Billy, who died while backpacking through Malawi nine years ago. Last week, Riordan sat down for an interview with Reminder Publications to speak about the progress of Billy's Malawi Project since her interview with the paper last year. Since 2007, Riordan has made two significant strides in Cape McClear the Billy Riordan Memorial Clinic, built in 2004, is now administering antiretroviral drugs to HIV/AIDS patients and a fundraising effort to build a secondary school in the village. Riordan explained that the fundraising efforts of Billy's Malawi Project Inc., in West Springfield have paid for the antiretroviral drugs. "The American generosity and hospitality is remarkable," she said. Medications such as antiretroviral drugs, antibiotics, antifungal medicines and malaria drugs distributed in the clinic cost well over $42,000 annually. Riordan noted that the clinic cannot afford to buy rabies or snake bite medications because of their short shelf life. "We can't afford to dump them [if they're not used]," she added. Riordan explained that since offering antiretroviral medications, HIV/AIDS testing among patients has risen over 100 percent. Between 25 and 30 percent of the population ages 15 to 49 have HIV or AIDS. Riordan explained that prior to offering these medications, patients were unwilling to be tested because they felt that there was no point in knowing if there were no treatment options. She said certain stigmas surrounding the disease have also been reduced as patients with HIV/AIDS have formed support groups to talk about what was once taboo. "I've noticed a huge change," Riordan said of the attitude toward treatment in the village, adding that this change promotes trust between villagers and clinicians. "It makes me realize that small clinics are the way to go not big hospitals," she said, adding that trust is built by small groups of humanitarians working with villagers on the ground. Riordan explained that the resources of her 16-bed in-patient clinic are limited and patients are traveling from afar to receive treatment. Prior to the establishment of Billy's Memorial Clinic, those in Cape McClear would be forced to travel hours on foot for proper medical care. She said public transportation is "unreliable" and consists of "a local guy with a pick up truck." Riordan said over the next year she will focus her efforts on raising $100,000 for a secondary school and upgrading the primary school already established in Cape McClear. She explained the school would have all the modern conveniences of a European or American school such as running water, toilets, electricity, furniture, computers and athletic fields. Riordan said she will continue to travel to Western Massachusetts each year to "raise awareness about Africa, Malawi, and Cape McClear, in that order. "There are people who go to bed each night hungry," she continued. Riordan noted that 97 cents of every dollar donated goes to the villagers in Cape McClear. She said she keeps administrative costs low by running her organization from her laptop and relying on volunteers. Medical professional Laura O'Sullivan of Ireland has just completed six months of service in Cape McClear and will be at The Big E this week to speak with fairgoers about her experiences. Donations can be mailed to Billy's Malawi Project Inc., P.O. Box 312, West Springfield, MA 01090-0312. Fore more information about this organization go to www.billysmalawiproject.org. |