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.