My recent visit to Malawi regularly reminded me why, as first minister, I had been so determined that Scotland would contribute to international development. But one moment stands out. It was in Linthipe, a cluster of villages about two hours from the capital, Lilongwe.
I visited the area in 2005 to see the early work of the Child Support Project, set up by Dr Josephine Munthali, a Malawian who now lives in Scotland. Linthipe is her family's village, and she was determined to help, but there was much to do. There was little employment, the only community facility was a feeding station for the under-fives, many of them Aids orphans, and Gwengwere School was a few shacks with grass roofs.
When I left I promised the head teacher I would return, and that I would do my best to get a decent school for the area. Thanks to the generosity of Scots, there are now eight well-built classrooms that can be used all year round. Today the head teacher beams with pride. There is also a new community hall.
Dr Munthali's project helps girls attend secondary school, and local women have received micro-loans to help set up a sewing business. I was so proud to be Scottish when the head teacher thanked me for the support from his friends in Scotland.
A new school, a few sewing machines and a community hall may not seem much, but in one of the world's poorest countries, the contribution from Scotland is life-changing.
Elsewhere I saw housing developments, the new maternity wing replacing the infamous Bottom Hospital, agricultural projects and support for schools, colleges and universities. Everyone spoke of Scotland making a difference.
As first minister I was determined to raise Scotland's international profile. To say we were the best place to work, study, visit and stay. However, that was never enough. I believed passionately that we had responsibilities to others too.
An international development policy was therefore required as part of our international strategy to help eradicate poverty. It built on the work of Scottish institutions such as the international development NGOs, universities, public sector, professional associations and faith-based organisations.
It was supported by a new international development fund, but the distribution of grants was not the central purpose. The primary objective was to provide effective support for individual Scots to make their contribution to building a better world.
We decided to focus on one country, not to be exclusive - projects in other countries would be supported too - but to be more effective. Malawi was a natural choice, already having strong links with Scotland, as the country that could inspire the highest level of participation from Scots. The Scottish people responded with an energy and commitment none of us could have foreseen. Thousands of Scots are helping in a practical way, with dozens of schools, businesses and health teams playing their part.
Sometimes our home-grown solutions are not appropriate for sub-Saharan Africa, but we are helping develop sustainable solutions. Large ones, such as the consortium between our FE colleges and Malawi's, improving vocational education in Malawi. And small ones, like Linthipe, which also make a lasting difference.
The relationship between Scotland and Malawi is a friendship between people whose daily life may be vastly different, but whose common bond of humanity is stronger now than 150 years ago, when Dr Livingstone first travelled to Malawi. We all have a responsibility to nurture that bond.
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