Lisa Blunt, a World Vision Child sponsor, blogs about her recent trip to Malawi and all of the sights, sounds, smells and feelings that came with it.
Have you thought about visiting your sponsored child? Fast-forward through the questioning of whether it is a waste of money or an investment for their future, through the CRB checks, injections and airports, through the meetings with WV officials talking about the theory, the projects and the aims and do it. This month my hope to meet one of my church’s sponsored children, came true.
At last, we (I and two wonderful helpers from World Vision, Happy and Bornwell) are there, in remote Malawi, at the end of 6 hours driving, on rough and dusty tracks. I am excited and just trying to take it all in. Then I recognise Sithembire – the girl my church has sponsored for 8+ years. We have seen her in photos grow from chubby cheeked youngster to a young woman. But here she is, slight and shy, holding out a bowl of brilliant bougainvillea – and we hug.
I had not known what to expect, but the welcome was extraordinary . Even before we reach Sithembire’s village, we are flanked by excited children and welcomed with a ingoma dance from the men of her Ngoni tribe – all wrapped in animal skins with skin covered shields and spears. Proudly they then walk in front of our jeep, leading us to the village and to Sithembire. It is another world, her world.
The whole village is seated under the shade, benches are filled with local dignitaries and the master of ceremonies has his programme and from somewhere, chairs have been imported for us to use. There is more spirited traditional dancing and formal introductions- including one expected from me. Finally Sithembire and I are allowed to go into her home to share the dishes of food, donated by various households, with her sisters, brothers, mother and aunts.
We read about basic life in a hut made of mud without water and electricity, but to see it, to smell it, to feel it was so meaningful. In many small and not so small ways her life and those of her family and her village are being changed but not revolutionised. She has better health with worming and bilharzia treatments, has improved sanitation and safe water from the bore hole, she sleeps under a mosquito net and, at 18 years, is still enjoying school.
The reality of Sithembire’s life was not the only aspect that came alive with the visit. Happy took me to the Pregnancy Wing of the Health Centre where the open waiting space was full of ladies at their first pre-natal class, to the HIV/Aids nurse who was working to identify those needing medication to prevent full blown Aids and to the headteacher of the area’s secondary school.
World Vision has worked with other partners to build a hostel for girls so they can attend the school safely and not walk 25 kilometres to school – or drop out of education. At a meeting gathered to discuss Child Protection issues, some of World Vision’s partners or stakeholders talk about their advances and their concerns – the dairy cows are increasing and improving nutrition for many; the Magistrate is pleased that there are processes to deal with child abuse; three young people talked about their work on child labour and child work which is so important in their area because of the use – and poisoning – of children in the tobacco industry.
Working with partners to share the best use of resources, using people in the villages, like the lead mothers, to embed developments in the community and the way that World Vision offices reflect the African style of buildings were good to see (unlike the EU and UN that seems to spend a fortune on modern glass buildings, landscaping and the biggest 4x4s).
One of the most poignant moment was watching Sithembire work through her answer to the question ‘What do you most want?’ She started with ‘a mobile phone’ – that would be cool and modern. But quickly she realised that she could not afford to run it and then said ‘a bicycle’ so she could ride the 6 kilometres to school and carry a brother or sister to the Health Centre when they are ill. But finally, she opted for a roof for their home. At the moment the sun is making a dappled pattern on the mud floor, but in two months the rains will be there. Young people grow up quickly in Malawi. Hopefully, a large tarpaulin will help for this year.
To go or not to go? If you can, do visit – you will be changed but also your sponsored child, their family and their village will respond with great joy and enthusiasm – and hope! And if you have any questions for me, about my trip or what life is like for children in Malawi please feel free to post them here or on World Vision’s Facebook page.
Any views or opinions contained in this blog are those of the individual author and do not necessarily represent those of World Vision
Thank you so much for this info, We went to Malawi 4yrs ago, & were bowled over by the love & generosity of people who to us have nothing. god Bless Steve & Tracy Wood.
I would like to know what are the items most needed that we could easily send to our sponsored child. We have been sponsors for many years but feel we still know little of real life for our sponsored girl, Mary.
Jane, you might like to send suitable children’s books, school materials for a pupil such as pencils, notebook, ruler, rubber/eraser and the like. Check with WVUK; a financial gift could be sent through their office.
HI Jane – what is needed has to be what you can send. I found my girl’s life very basic and simple clothes were much appreciated. (The WV guy said it was no insult, so I left most of my own clothes behind.) – simple blouses and skirts. I always send pencils etc. but when I saw Sithembire, it was clothes that brought smiles (as well as the cooking pans – but you can’t send them!). Al best wishes, Lisa
Malawians give you the warmest welcome in the world! Gulay alipo lero – let’s party! (as the Ngoni loved to say). Where exactly was the ADP?
I would also like to know what items are most needed my sponsored child stephano will be fifteen next year and it is quite difficult to know what is suitable especially as he is getting older. I have sent pencil pens etc and even clothes when he was young. One year we sent money for the family through world vision. We received a lovely letter listing every item they had spent their money on. I did send a football but he never received it.
Toys have to be simple – balls are greaty appreciated by boys and girls (I not succeeded in finding a blow-up ball) and I asked Sithembire’s brother – balls and anything to do with cars and vehicles was interesting. It might be worth asking what a bicycle would cost – t is the first level of transport across large distances.
All best wishes, Lisa
It was very interesting to hear about your trip. Did you by any chance meet Lister, my sponsored child? Like others who have written on this blog, I really have not much idea of the lives of Lister & her family & their needs, though your advise is useful. It was also good to hear that World Vision is really making a difference to the community – especially to the lives of the girls. Your visit has tempted me to do the same sometime soon!
With best wishes
Susan
HI Susan – I did not meet Lister – the Kayezi area is quite large – 40 Km in diametre and there are 2600+ children sponsored there! Like you I have found it difficult through our letters to understand my child’s life – as I was going to Malawi for other reasons, this was a great opportunity. Her home was so basic – 2 mud rooms, no real furniture – benches, mattress on the floor, no wardrobe as there were very few clothes! In her village there are only 11-12 homes – some were better with a tin roof but on her home there was very thin thatch through which the only light came. Wood boards were over the small holes for windows. The lunch was a communal cooking affair, different homes cooked rice , pasta , potatoes (irish not sweet). It was a special meal as there was chicken as well – but very tough! My WV guide said that much in the village was communal. Buying gifts in Mzuzu was about cooking gear and clothes – clothes were the big thing – if they are not the right size (and people are small because of poor nutrition) they can sell or exchange them.
Toys – balls, wind driven, simple dolls are favourites they said.
The world is very remote – no X factor, no strictly! Her heroes were staff at the nearby health centre.
Hope this helps give a small picture – cheers, Lisa
Hi Lisa
Thank you so much for your full description of the area.
It was very surprising to me to hear that the families were so very poor & living in such basic conditions. I suppose that I thought that if ‘World Vision’ were involved, things would be better there, but obviously I was very wrong & it has made me more aware of how much they need our help.
Thank again.
Warm regards
Susan
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