WE'RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER
Malawi, known as the "Warm Heart of Africa" is home to over 15 million people. A small nation, landlocked between Zambia, Tanzania, and Mozambique, is approximately the size of Pennsylvania. Malawian's are a warm-hearted and friendly people who make you feel immediately at home among them.
We met Chief Theresa Malila, Executive Director & Founder of Somebody Cares-Malawi many years ago on a visit to Malawi. The African Mother Theresa, as the people call her, started her ministry to comfort, feed, care, and pray for the sick, dying, elderly, widowed, and orphaned in communities in & around Lilongwe, Malawi. Of its 15.6 million people, 85% live in rural areas (as subsistence farmers) where the population density is one of the highest in Africa. Today, Somebody Cares ministers & supports over 30 communities with over 10,000 orphans. As well as provides care to the widows & patients in their Home Based Care program. It is astounding the amount of care that Chief Theresa & her small staff give on a daily basis. Their challenges are immense, but we believe Somebody Cares is making a huge difference in the lives of their people.
As the poorest country in the world – 2015 World Bank – Malawians face disease, drought, poverty, and lack of critical resources every day. Through the years, walking beside Somebody Cares, it became clear that our service would be most helpful in the community of Kalimbira. We adopted this beautiful community in 2015. Immediately, together with our partner, we determined 4 key areas that could use our support:
Education: Nearly 65% of the population in Malawi is 18 years old or younger. Investing time and energy in educating the youth of this nation will substantially improve the quality of life. We bring teams to offer Teacher Training & Professional Development, utilizing what they have available in-country. Alongside the staff of Somebody Cares, we develop curriculum for the orphans and teach Girl Empowerment seminars.
Trades: Nearly two-thirds of this population lives on less than $1.25/day. Though primarily subsistence farmers, we bring teams who train young men in construction, masonry, retail, etc. This enhances opportunity to get better paying jobs to support their family and provides them with a life-long skill.
Income-Generating with Widows: Our purpose is to help alleviate the extreme poverty faced by widows in Malawi by creating opportunities that will enable and empower widows to establish their own self-sufficiency and independence. We established the “Sew & Sew” project which brings teams to teach new techniques in sewing, crocheting, and beading. Most widows are caring for their own children and sometimes their grandchildren, as well as taking in orphans. To be a widow in Malawi is a challenging life. Fortunately, we can help.
Medical Training: There is enormous need for solutions to provide basic medical needs and health education in community. The majority of the population does without even the most basic medical care leading to the death of thousands every year from preventable diseases. The backbone of Somebody Cares model is found in the Home-Based Care Volunteers. By working together in partnership with Somebody Cares, we are able to bring teams of medical professionals, who provide training in basic first aid, run clinics in community, bringing care where it is needed most.
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Video provided by: Somebody Cares Ministry – Keta Ngosi