Zomba Action Project charity to close after 20 years of linking Causeway Coast and Malawi
Causeway Coast and Glens Borough councillors have said it was a “privilege” to work with the Zomba Action Project (ZAP), which will close next year.
ZAP was established as a charity in March 2003, following an initiative by the then-Coleraine Borough Council, and through partnership with Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council has aided the Zomba region of Malawi, Africa, by delivering clean water, improving healthcare, and enhancing education.
In a recent letter, which was presented to members of Corporate Policy and Resources Committee in October, Chair Terry McMullan said members agreed to close ZAP at the recent annual general meeting, with plans to close in mid-2026.
Mr McMullan explained that while the charity aspect had been very successful, channelling £1.1 million in donations since its inception, members of the management board had become too old and ZAP had failed to find successors.
Alliance Alderman Yvonne Boyle said she had been involved in the work of ZAP since 2011 and praised its success over the last 20 years.
“In addition to all the projects that we have supported in partnership with ZAP Committee in Malawi itself, I’d like to note the work of Paul Snelling in bringing council employees from Zomba Council to work in Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council,” she added.
“Like many voluntary groups we found it increasingly difficult to get volunteers to get onto the committee so we feel it has run its course, but I would like to thank the Chief Executive and Council for their support.
“We’re going to keep running until the end of the financial year, but it was a privilege to be involved.”
Sinn Féin Councillor Cara McShane, who chaired the committee meeting, concluded: “I think we all agree about the huge amount of work the group did over the years. I’ve only been familiar in recent times, in Causeway Coast and Glens, but thank you.”