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.
