Visitor's Cont

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“A Visitor’s View” - Continued ....

At the same time we observed that the village water pump was not working. The Government installed the pumps years ago, and trained some villagers to maintain them. Unfortunately with Malaria, TB and HIV, often the trained people die before the pump does and the knowledge with them. Even if someone knows how to fix the pump, the cost of spares is beyond the resources of the local people.

I feel very privileged to have had such an opportunity to visit Malawi, and also to be able to share a little of it with you. Jim Huegett

At this point I witnessed the work of David & Lynda, establishing Community Gardens. We went to visit the Village Head - in this case a woman. At first she was apprehensive, alarmed at the sudden appearance of three “azungo’s” (white people), but her appearance was gradually transformed to elation as the prospect of a new Community Garden was explained. “Open Hand” gives seed, fertilizer, training and administration. The village gives land and volunteers. The harvest is freely given to the poorest in that community, especially orphans, the elderly, disabled and the chronically sick. In tight knit communities such as these, the locals want to help their needy but lack the resources to do so. The news that we would also like to fix their well brought a big celebration. Three villages used that well and it had last worked 5 months ago. People had been walking miles to the nearest bore-hole to collect water. Working, the whole community would benefit, and there would also be water to irrigate their Community Garden. We planned to rebuild Esther’s house.

All too soon my time in Malawi was at an end and it was time to face the roads back to Blantyre. I could write very much more about my time there but have picked just a few highlights. My overwhelming memories of Malawi, are of its wonderful and friendly people. Although desperately poor and many are dressed in rags, people have time to greet each other and are overjoyed to welcome a visitor. I was surprised at the density of the population stretching out in every direction and charmed by Malawi’s children forming the vast majority.

I was also struck by the meticulous accounting of David & Lynda. They pledge that every penny given to Aid Africa will go to the poor and I can assure anyone that this is what happens, in a way that fosters dignity and responsibility in the recipient. The desire is that people are empowered to help themselves and the needy around them, not become dependent on aid or westerners, - giving a hand-up, not hand-out.
So the community gardens continue to increase, the staff administrates them all from planting to distribution of harvest, on foot or push-bike, covering many miles in the blistering heat. Therefore, a motor-bike is desperately needed, as the most economic and appropriate transport for these road. Any ideas anyone?