Founder of local charity devotes life to inspiring others
Founder of MENFA, Madge Thomas
It’s a rarity to find someone that dedicates their life to others, but then again, Madge Thomas is a rare find. From a humble upbringing in Jamaica to establishing the award-winning charity, MENFA, this is a lady whose passion and enthusiasm clearly knows no boundaries.
Born in 1946 in Clarendon, Jamaica, Madge moved to England when she was 19 to fulfil her dream of becoming a midwife. Now 65, she says she still returns home once a year to see her family.
After working as a midwife in hospitals all over the country she settled in Butetown with her husband and three children.
The start of something special
Madge founded MENFA, which stands for Mentoring for All, in response to what she saw on her doorstep. In 1984 a play scheme was setup at the New Testament Church in Butetown as “The children didn’t have anything to do. They were just getting into trouble, into mischief.”
Blink and you could easily miss the MENFA centre, but once inside, though undeniably modest in size, it’s clearly a hive of activity. The walls are painted a vibrant yellow, which is quite fitting as there’s an undeniable buzz about
the place.
Building upon success
With a hunger to do more, Madge completed her Masters in Education in 1997. Her dissertation focussed on mentoring and she begins to laugh when confessing to travelling as far as California for her research, simply because Wales didn’t have the books she needed. Quite a hike to the library but this woman clearly doesn’t do anything by halves. Following the completion of her Masters the mentoring scheme was born, to aid the emotional and academic development of those who are socially disadvantaged.
A stand in the MENFA centre displays photographs and press cuttings, which serve as a testament to how much this lady has achieved in the last 27 years. Pointing to a picture of herself with some of the children in Jamaica, there’s a wonderful sense of satisfaction as she explains how the children have progressed. “By the time they reach school they’re very bright which means they should hopefully get a scholarship to go to college. You have to have a scholarship to go to college in Jamaica.”
With the Jamaica project in mind, the MENSA Grand Charity Dinner is scheduled for December. This event is special to Madge as it’s specifically raising money for work in Jamaica. There are currently two MENSA centres in the poverty stricken Spanish Town, and 83 mentors.
Awards aplenty
What’s most striking about Madge is her modesty. Fortunately, there are others who are willing to blow her trumpet so she’s no stranger to
winning awards.
Amongst her many accolades, back in 2000 she won the BT Childline Award for services to children. This award is especially dear as it was a former pupil that nominated her. The award was presented by the Duchess of Kent and Esther Rantzen. “Meeting the Duchess was my highlight, she was a very nice lady to speak with,” she recalls with a beaming smile.
But rubbing shoulders with the stars hasn’t always run smoothly. In 2000, BBC broadcaster Huw Edwards presented her with The Scarman Trust People’s Millennium Award. “He was very nice but when I met him I couldn’t speak. My voice had gone,” she laughs.
But it would appear those who she takes inspiration from are a bit closer to home. “Looking back it was my mother that inspired me because she looked after a lot of children. I wasn’t aware that it had affected me but obviously it did.” It’s easy to see a pattern emerging as Madge’s daughter Melissa sits in the office lending a hand.
Looking to the future
Madge says it’s her aim to secure more funding for additional staff and building expansion. “Determination has got me as far as I am today. I’ve come across a lot of times where I could have just thrown my hat in. Sometimes people say no to me for funding and still I’m trying, I’m not going to give up.”
After 33 years as a midwife, Madge took early retirement in 2005 to focus on MENFA. Although there’s no chance of her hanging up her hard-working boots anytime soon, she inevitably sees a time when she will have to slow down. “That’s why I try and pass the baton on slowly to the younger generation. I try my best to push them forward.”
When reflecting on her achievements, humility is what she credits as the key. “It’s nice to be humble whatever situation you’re in. Whatever you’ve got, whatever you get, I think it’s important to be humble and keep focussed.”
I think it’s safe to say this lady practises what she preaches.
For more information about MENFA visit http://www.menfa.org.uk/