Projects Malawi Its a Long Way to Lilongwe
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Its a Long Way to Lilongwe Print E-mail
Saturday, 16 October 2010 13:06
By Harry Kooistra

From the air approaching Lilongwe International Airport, Malawi appears a luscious green – an appealing contrast to wintry Michigan. The last time we were here it was brown and a blue haze hung over the countryside.

In January of this year we were privileged to visit Malawi on behalf of the Board of Word & Deed. Mr. Pete VanKempen, his daughter Louise, Mr. Corney Les (Canadian Board), and I met up in London and continued on to Nairobi, Kenya. The next leg of the journey, from Nairobi to Lilongwe, featured a spectacular view of Mt. Kilamanjaro and Manuel Kamnkhwani (Word & Deed Project Director in Malawi) waiting at the airport. While the rest of us went to our lodging to get some rest, Corney went shopping for clothes to replace his lost baggage.

Harry Kooistra enjoys a meal with Word & Deed Project Director Manuel Kamnkhwani

Early Saturday morning we loaded up and headed for Lizulu. We met up with Scott VanDyken at the turnoff to Nkhoma to exchange greetings and paperwork. After some very potent coffee at the Dedza Pottery Works, we arrived in Lizulu. We missed the turn at first because of the crowded market, but we’re glad Manuel knew the way. In Lizulu, we met with Everton Kamangire (Director of Lizulu Orphan Care) Kamangire. He introduced us to a female chief with whom we discussed business. While lunch was prepared we walked the grounds. The women here travel two kilometers to get water for their families in jars on their heads. The borewell project, an effort to drill a local well funded by Word & Deed, is progressing slowly due to the many veins of granite in the subsoil.


Everton keeps meticulous records of the work done here; his attention to detail shows up in other areas of the project as well. The children are clean and well-disciplined. He also has good people working with him. He makes it a point to involve the local authorities in the activities, keeping them informed and inviting them to the business meetings. The chiefs value this cooperation because it enables them to participate in the decision-making which affects their people.

Ladies prepare a meal for a group of orphans

Four feeding centers in this area feed 490 children. Not having a central feeding station makes sense mainly because of the topography and the difficulty of getting around during the rainy season. The trails become impassible to vehicles during the rainy season, and in some areas, even walking becomes a challenge. The number of children fed varies monthly: some move from the area, and some die, which is all too common. Medical care is rudimentary, but the center has a working relationship with Nkhoma Hospital. Everton’s little Nissan pickup truck doubles as an ambulance sometimes, but again, in the rainy season, a sick person might be several hours away from any type of medical help.

As every farmer knows, crop yields depend on rainfall. This year in Malawi the rain came late: some of the seed did not germinate and had to be replanted, using up valuable feed stocks. The margin for those uncertainties is razor thin in Malawi. In these rural areas everything depends on the maize crop; it is the staple of life. When the seed corn is eaten in order to survive, disaster is not far behind. It is difficult for us to understand that, with all the bounty we enjoy, but in Malawi this fact colors a person’s whole life.

Students at the Lizulu Orphan Care Project in Malawi

Everton does an outstanding job of managing this project. He is first a teacher and a Christian. He has a heart for the people here and it shows. He discussed education issues with us, citing the example of a young man who contacted him recently. This young man was raised in the feeding program, and received a basic education from a Christian perspective. This young man moved through the education system and is now a police officer. As the result of the love and care shown him he was able to perceive that his father had lived irresponsibly and he determined to do better. Everton underscores the fact that spiritual growth is seen in moral behavior and that hopelessness is alleviated.

Everton tells us that there are more “success” stories like this – they are what encourage him to keep going. He is thankful to God for changed lives and attributes it all to Him. This story also encourages us and we also express our thankfulness to God to be a small part of this work.

The educational system in Malawi is based on the British system. After elementary education, students take exams and move up to the next appropriate level, which a number of students from this area have done. Potential leaders come from these schools. The CCAP (Christian Church Africa Presbyterian) supports a number of these students with scholarships and other support. It is hoped that these students become active in the church and in the type of work we undertake. We have met a number of these young men and they are indeed starting to have an impact. Some have been able to study in the USA and there are a number doing so at this time.

As many of you are aware, there is an extremely high incidence of HIV/AIDS in Africa. One major effort initiated by the CCAP to help control this problem, using trained young men, is the Behavior Change Program (BCP). This Bible-based program is supported wholeheartedly by Word & Deed. The program, aimed at teens and young adults, has been taught to youth from all 141 presbyteries in the Nkoma Synod. It is also offered in the four feeding centers and is open to everyone who comes. Results are being noted but there are no clear statistics and a follow-up study needs to be done. Everton tells us that some of the orphans are HIV-positive since it is often transmitted at birth. Left untreated, these orphans face a grim future.

In our 2008 visit, we were impressed by Everton’s dedication, and our observations were also confirmed this time. Everton needs the encouragement of your prayers. He is completely dedicated to the work and asks little in return. The story of the young man warmed our hearts and it should yours as well. You see, there is hope when the Gospel is presented along with a bowl of rice and beans or nsima (corn porridge).

The problems in Africa are many and in our western eyes insurmountable, yet there is hope. This message of hope is also preached in the churches. Rev. Vasco Kachipapa, one of the authors of the BCP, preached on Deuteronomy 8. As it was with Israel in the desert, so it is with us. There were many mountains on Israel’s way – Israel had to be taught to trust, and to trust that God provides. We also must learn to trust, again and again, until we too reach Canaan. This is our only hope and it is the only hope for our brothers and sisters in Malawi. Thank you all for allowing us to serve.

A typical Malawian market place

Harry Kooistra is Secretary of Word & Deed USA and is an elder at the Caledonia United Reformed Church in Michigan, USA.
 
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