News
Follow MAF's life-transforming adventures and latest developments from around the world…
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MAF’s Cabin Crew volunteers – the real stars of the show
Since ‘Big Church Festival’ started in 2009, MAF has been sharing its story of help, hope and healing with festival goers yet to hear about the world’s largest humanitarian airline. This wouldn't be possible without the support of volunteers who sacrifice their time every year. MAF’s Claire Gilderson chats to this year’s Cabin Crew during Volunteers’ Week…
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MAF launches zipwire and cube challenge at long-awaited Big Church Festival
Following a two year wait, over 30,000 people descended upon Big Church Festival during the Jubilee weekend to watch their favourite artists and – more importantly – try the ‘Big MAF Take Off’ and ‘MAF Cube’. These new attractions proved popular with 1,800 people flying down the zipwire and 77 teams tackling the cube. MAF’s Claire Gilderson reports…
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MAF offers hope to PNG’s prisoners as global rate of female inmates rises
Over the past 20 years, the number of female prisoners around the world has increased by 33% according to new research by Penal Reform International. Papua New Guinea is reportedly home to some of the most under-resourced prisons in the world, even more reason for MAF’s Harriëtte Knigge to visit the female inmates every week…
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MAF’s mobile dental clinic serves Liberians in a country with only 7 dentists
Last summer, MAF flew Dr Simon Stretton-Downes OBE and team to remote northern Liberia to conduct a mobile dental clinic. In Voinjama, which has zero dental provision, they extracted over 400 teeth in three-and-a-half days. During ‘National Smile Month’, Simon tells MAF’s Claire Gilderson why oral health in Liberia is nothing to smile about…
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Sewing seeds of hope – MAF supports South Sudanese refugee farmers
More than 6 million people have fled Ukraine since Russia invaded (UN). Elsewhere - away from the spotlight - the plight of refugees continues. Over 2 million South Sudanese are still living in refugee camps since war broke out in 2013 – mostly in Uganda. MAF works with various partners to support these refugees including ‘ForAfrika’. MAF’s Jill Vine reports…
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MAF fundraiser Sally Giles smashes target during Mental Health Week
This month, Sally Giles from Ashford is raising money for MAF’s latest campaign ‘Time in their shoes’ by walking 350-miles across the Kent Downs. Not only is she raising money for a worthwhile cause, walking has also helped her fight depression, panic attacks and agoraphobia over the years. Sally shares her story of heartbreak and hope…
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MAF medevacs help fight Timor-Leste's severe dengue fever epidemic
Dengue fever cases in the first quarter of 2022 are five times higher than last year, as per Timor-Leste’s Ministry of Health. Children are mostly affected with 77% of all cases reportedly under the age of 14. Without MAF, it would take hours to get to hospital by road or boat instead of only minutes by air. With MAF, saving time saves lives….
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‘One day’s trek is 5 mins of flying’ - MAF flies mosquito nets to remotest PNG
On World Malaria Day, MAF and Rotarians Against Malaria protect isolated Papua New Guineans from a disease which kills hundreds of thousands of people globally every year. In 2022, MAF and RAM delivered 34,250 nets to 26 airstrips preventing thousands of deaths. MAF’s Siobhain and Ryan Cole have got what it takes to lead a complex operation…
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Former MAF Mongolia plane makes first flight in Guinea
Following 20 years' service in Mongolia, the plane – formerly known as Millennium Messenger - made her first ops flight in Guinea today. Roy Rissanen – MAF’s first pilot in Mongolia - used the same plane to pick up passengers from Nzérékoré, Guinea for the first time. Roy and his beloved aircraft have reunited to transform lives on the other side of the world…
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100-year-old MAF pioneer flies vintage Miles Gemini for the first time in 74 years
RAF veteran, Jack Hemmings AFC*, took to the skies today to raise money for MAF and pay tribute to fellow MAF co-founder and RAF engineer, the late Stuart King, in what would have been Stuart’s 100th year. In 1948, the pair flew across Africa in the same aircraft model, which surveyed the needs of some of the world’s most isolated people….
