Hear from those Touchstone have helped so far.....................

As of the 30th June 2017, sixteen families living in the villages of Chimombo, Mpanje, Jeke & Dayison have been assisted through our project; eight houses were completed and eight houses were at various stages of construction.


 


Here is what some of the families had to say;


 


Pelepetuwa who is a single mother of 5


"I was very excited when I heard I would receive a new home with the help of Touchstone.  During the construction I ensured the building materials were kept safe and not tampered with.  I am very happy to have a new home, I am now able to harvest water for household use and care for my children”.

 

Martha who is a single mother of 4

“I could not believe it when I was selected as one of the families for the project in Salima.  I was so excited to move into my new home.  I am thankful to Habitat for Humanity and Touchstone for selecting me to be one of the beneficiaries of the project”.

 

Esinta who is a single mother of 3

“I am now able to have plans in life like any other person in the community with no worries at all because I have a good house with a beautiful paint that many people admire, my future and that of the children is bright and secure.

 

I would like to sincerely thank Touchstone for helping me and my family to have a new life. I have never seen this kind of love and I would like to wish them all the best in their lives. As you can see now, although the heavy rains are coming I have peace of mind because I know my house is strong that it can withstand heavy rains and wind.  My children are now sleeping peacefully thereby being very attentive in class and I know that they will have good grades. Thank you Touchstone and Habitat, may you continue to do the same to other needy people like me”

 

Anne who has 6 Children

“The new house provided by Touchstone is the family’s pride, as such we have peace of mind, can live comfortably and can bring friends freely.  There are no termites and no bedbugs in the house.  I thank Touchstone for giving me and my family a decent house to live in.”

 

Esita who has 4 Children

“I like the new house, it makes me smile because it is spacious, the roof is made of iron sheets and does not leak, the walls are strong because they are reinforced using cement, and the floor is easier to clean because it is made of cement.  The children’s books are not easily destroyed because the water does not get into the house.”

 

Regina who is a disabled mother of 3

“My life has been so miserable for a long time because of the house I was living in. The house was so bad that mosquitos and other insects could breed inside the house during rainy season. My children and I have suffered from malaria for a long time especially the young child.  As that was not enough, fever and coughs were frequent due to dust that could easily enter in the house during the dry season. I can now open my windows in the morning and let fresh air come in. I can now mop my house for good hygiene, our beddings now are dry and clean. I would like to sincerely thank the Touchstone friends who came all the way from UK to come see me and build my house. I will never forget their love as we played together during the construction of my house.  I hope I will see them again. May God continue to bless Touchstone and Habitat for the greatest gift that I will cherish for the rest of my life.”

 

Violet is 83 and a caregiver to two Children

“I had 3 wishes in my life, one of which was to have a decent house and now this has been fulfilled.  Through the Touchstone project, so much more than what I hoped for has been granted; a house with good windows, good floor, iron sheet roof, latrine and a bathroom.  The children’s lives have changed tremendously, as they no longer have to sleep on a wet floor.  I am so grateful, such a priceless gift, what Touchstone have done for me is commendable and it’s a project I would want to continue.”

 

Janet who is a single mother of 4

“When the news came that I will have a house, I did not believe it until I saw the bricks and sand coming.  Now life is different in the new house; when it is raining I feel good as I am no longer bothered to stay awake or run away from the house at night,   I am so thankful to Touchstone for the precious gift.  Continue doing the good work you are doing.”

 

Atabiya who is a single mother of 5

“I am grateful to the heavens for decent housing; if only you came when the rains are falling down you would have seen the housing poverty that I have been living in.  I am so thankful to Touchstone for a decent house that I never imagined to have.  I pray for the continuity of the project to change more lives that do not have good houses and sanitary facilities.”

 

Laina who is a carer for her 6 Grandchildren

“My family and I can now sleep without anxiety, thank you.”

 

Idess a 27yr old widow of four

“I am happy knowing that my children have a better place to live and a future.  God should bless Touchstone who have supported me and my children.”

 

Maness a mother of three

“I love the fact my new house does not leak and it protects my family.  I thank Touchstone for building the house for me and my family and pray you keep up the good humanitarian work to help other vulnerable people.”

 

Moreen who is a single mother of two

“I can now look forward to many future rainy seasons where I will not have to worry about the leaking roof making me, my children and property wet.  I used to say this kind of water coming into the house should be running in the field not the house.  I am so happy to receive the house, joy will continue from now to the day I die.  I would love to see the project benefiting other vulnerable people.”

 

Violet lives in a one roomed property with her 6 children

“On behalf of myself and my children I thank Touchstone and their team of volunteers who built our home.  We are grateful to move from a dilapidated house into a decent one.”

  

Eunice whose husband committed suicide, leaving her to care for their 8 children

“God has remembered my problems to give me a house.  Touchstone team came all the way to build this house this year.  I thank you Touchstone for helping me own a decent house.”

 

Fayiness who does not know which year she was born, but does know she reached puberty in 1950.  She is a widower looking after her grandchildren

“I am thankful that I have been remembered and can enjoy such a blessing in my old age.”

These are the reasons why we feel so passionate about the project, along with being able to be part of the community and building the houses means so much to us.

 

 

A message from Malawi...........................

As a CBO, we would like to let you know that, houses for Fayiness
and Violet will be completed by 10th August 2017.

We are thanking you and the entire Touchstone team for coming to
Malawi to help build those beautiful, strong houses and also for being
part of the community. We will send you pictures of the houses soon.

Greetings to all Touchstone team.

Wise & Holyfield

My week in Malawi…

 Inspiring, Resilient, Resourceful

 

Malawi is such a beautiful, warm and welcoming Country.  The week spent there was amazing, to work in a team alongside the locals to create homes for members of the community creates a sense of achievement like no other and a feeling that will stick with me forever.

 

 

It is amazing to see how strong and connected the whole community is and how everyone pulls together to help each other out. The local builders are so driven and quick to complete tasks, whilst also being meticulous and taking such pride in their work. The women of the village carrying water from the pumps in huge buckets on top of their heads, some whilst also carrying babies on their backs, show such strength and resilience that is truly inspiring. The children nearby singing is the most beautiful noise and motivates you to carry on in the warmer heat of the afternoon.

Following being home, from one of the team

Malawi on my mind - so difficult to come home and switch off.  Still processing what we achieved in such a short space of time.  However, I think we all felt that we had much more to give. 

Also thinking about what we saw - very upsetting to witness first hand, poverty on such a large scale. I can't emphasise enough that what appears to be a simple life, is actually a life full of hardship, with many obstacles; namely death, disease and food shortages. The fact that a young man passed away while we were there really brought this point home.

Despite this, there is a real sense of community, people coming together to support each other - We met Martha, a young mother to eight children, who has received one of our previous builds.  Three of her children are inherited from her sister. Malawi has well over a million orphans, linked to parent deaths or extreme poverty, and while some are traditionally absorbed into extended families, sadly others are forced into orphanages, away from their communities.

I also observed a community that is surprisingly upbeat and resilient. I truly admire their tenacity, but I wonder if they have any other choice!

I do feel fortunate to have been part of a project that is working to lift more vunerable families out of extreme situations. Afterall, it's human nature to want to help. Is it enough? No, but it will make a dramatic and positive difference to those individual families.  I only hope I can inspire others to do the same thing.

The team arrived home last week..................

Home after 27 hours of travel - it feels soooo good! 

Last week was a tough challenge but worth every second. We had a great team of hardworking Touchstone folk and it was a pleasure to get to know everyone a bit better. Like the team that went out last year, we have achieved so much and our efforts will have a positive impact on a couple of families living in extreme poverty. A phrase that was repeated over the trip was 'You have to accept that you cannot help everybody, however you can make a difference to the lives of a few'.

Touchstone have paid for 24 houses to be built in the area just outside Salima! The project spans over three years.  I am so very proud to work for a company that gives back to the global community! John and Rae's passion for the project that they started is fierce and I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to be a part of the experience. It was wonderful to meet all the dedicated staff from Habitat for Humanity and the CBO - thank you for welcoming us and showing us your amazing communities and country! 

 

I could never have understood the poverty that some people face without seeing it first-hand. It is an experience I will never forget and I come back to the UK with fresh eyes and a new perspective.

https://give.everydayhero.com/uk/touchstone. Thank you so much to everyone that has already donated - if you would like to donate then please click on the link above.

Village Church

Village Church, made totally of mud

Inside the Village Church



Day 6

Our last day today. Roof on Fayinesse's house and brickwork continuing on Violet's house.

 

 

A Sunday, so all the kids at home and everyone very relaxed. The village seemed busy with the women busy cooking for the post dedication ceremony lunch. Wise (from the Community Based Organisation) brought his wife and children to see us which was wonderful. Fayinesse spoke about her recollections of British rule and her memories of King George! A truly amazing lady. We played with the children and practiced our performance for the ceremony. Margaret had bought bubbles which the children got really excited about.

 

The ceremony commenced with dancing, then a welcome from the village chief. There were many chiefs also present from adjoining villages as this was seen as a very important occasion. More dancing and more speeches - the dancing was truly stunning and also very amusing and some of the Touchstone team joined in - much appreciated by the village!

Margaret as team leader gave some of her speech in Chichewa - very brave! John then thanked the community for making us such a loved part of their families and their community. Margaret and John were then made honorary members of the Banda tribe (holy people and mystics), in the case of Margaret, and the Phiri tribe (kings and aristocracy) in the case of John. A true honour! We had to participate in the ceremony of course and do "our" dance. We cheated a bit and got all the children to join us in "If you're happy and you know it" and the Hokey Kokey led by Julie and enjoyed by all!

 

Following the ceremony and having met with all the village chiefs we had lunch with the families prepared by the ladies of the village. Beef, chicken and goat with rice and nsime, with beans, shredded cabbage, peas and sweet potato with ground nut. An absolutely fantastic meal which was enjoyed by everyone. The children got Fanta to drink. The next time they will have the chance to drink this will be Christmas.

 

Then it was time to go. A really emotional farewell to those who, in a short week, have become our closest friends. John was asked if he wanted to take Moossa with him but had to agree to leave him with his mother as he is still breast feeding.  Back to the hotel for a final meal and up early for the long drive back to Lilongwe.

Here are some more pictures while we wait to hear how the next day went.................

Day 5 onsite

Hi, it's me again!!

So it's day 5 of the big builds! And the final Building day ☹️ so as you can imagine we were all eager to get started and crack on to get as much done as possible! And boy did we.....  https://give.everydayhero.com/uk/Touchstone

In the blistering sun the team went full steam ahead and by lunchtime both houses had the gable ends finished and both windows in!! With one of the houses internal walls nearly completed!! 

 

 After lunch we had the pleasure and honour of talking with Violet and Fainyess (please check spelling!) the soon to be new owners of the houses we are building to find out what having the new houses will mean to them & also to give them an opportunity to ask us some questions. 

 

For Fainyess it would mean having her grandson back to live with her as due to her blindness but by having a decent home he will be able to return, which is fantastic news!! Some of the team had a chance to look around her current home & the feedback was it was dark, dusty & bare & made of mud & straw. 

For Violet and her six children it will mean space & security as they have been living in a temporary hut which is no bigger than a small wooden shed! I don't think any of us can fathom how they all fit & sleep in there?! 

For both families their new homes will give them hope, security & something to share with their families which is why we are all here! 

Work continued & by the end of the day one house had all internal walls were completed & the beams were being installed as our mini bus was pulling away! And the second house had two internal walls almost completed with the scaffolding going up for the third internal wall! 

 

Thousands the site foreman gave a lovely speech saying we were a hardworking team and despite the heat we worked as if it wasn't a hot day! I think as a team we had a goal in mind & we set our minds and hearts on completing that task! And even though we stopped work one day due to the funeral & one team being down two members what we have achieved is nothing more than amazing!! 

After lots of pictures with the houses & our super team of builders & helpers we headed back to the hotel satisfied that the two families were well on the way to being their new Touchstone houses! 😊 

#Touchstone2Malawi #thebigbuild 

 

 

 

 

https://give.everydayhero.com/uk/Touchstone