Document sans titre

Own Madonna’s Globe
April 8, 2008

Now you can have the whole world in your hands!

Vanityfair.com, on behalf of Madonna’s designated charity, Raising Malawi, has arranged to auction off the autographed globe from the singer’s May 2008 Vanity Fair cover shoot. The package also includes two tickets to a very special Madonna performance in New York City at the end of April, and much more.

The auction begins on April 8th at 7pm (EST) and runs until April 18, 2008.

A mid-century fashion-magazine cover inspired V.F. editor Graydon Carter to have Madonna pose with a globe, and the singer immediately embraced the idea. Michael Roberts, the magazine’s fashion and style director, then commissioned London-based set designer Robbie Doig to build the giant orb. Constructed of plaster and marble dust with a recyclable polystyrene core, it took 10 days to complete. With a four-foot diameter and weighing in at about 80 pounds, the globe was suspended from the ceiling of Los Angeles’s Smashbox Studios for the photo shoot, on February 21, 2008. Madonna maneuvered herself around the world’s circumference while photographer Steven Meisel captured the superstar from all angles. When the shoot came to an end, Madonna signed the globe—making a point to draw a heart over Africa.

The package includes:
- the autographed globe from Madonna’s performance May 2008 Vanity Fair cover shoot;
- two tickets to a very special Madonna performance in New York at the end of April;
- accommodation for two nights at N.Y.C.’s Bowery Hotel;
- dinner at Gemma - one of Manhattan’s hottest restaurants;
- round-trip airfare for you and a guest (from select cities) to N.Y.C., provided by Virgin America.

For more information, please visit: www.vanityfair.com

Saving Lives One Tooth At A Time In Malawi
By Steve Byrnes

“I was sure she was going to hate me after I was done.”

Dr. Sam Merabi is speaking about his dental patient, Lisa (not her real name), an HIV positive thirteen year old girl at the Home of Hope Orphanage in Lilongwe, Malawi. Dr. Merabi had good reason to think that Lisa would be angry after an arduous and painful procedure to extract several decayed teeth.

Lisa was one of four hundred children at the orphanage screened by Dr. Merabi and his team of three dental residents, a dental assistant, and a faculty member from the Harvard School of Dental Medicine this past October.

Dr. Merabi, DDS, is President of Child Dental Relief, Inc., and Clinical Instructor at Harvard. The trip was sponsored by Raising Malawi, and was a follow up to a previous trip made in August by the team.

On the follow-up trip, all 400 children received fluoride treatments and oral hygiene education (demonstrations in tooth brushing, etc.). In addition, 258 children received full screenings, which resulted in 89 receiving restorations, and 26 having extractions.

In the developed world, dental care is often sought for cosmetic reasons, but in Malawi it can be life saving. Because of Lisa’s HIV positive status, her decayed teeth left her vulnerable to many opportunistic infections.

Even for those with healthy immune systems, oral hygiene is important for all around health and quality of life. According to the orphanage, dental pain is the number one reason kids miss school. Yet, despite its importance, dental care has been a low priority in many aid programs.

Dr. Merabi observed that Raising Malawi is unique in its understanding that oral health is an essential cornerstone in overall health. He added that “many international dental aid programs are poorly designed because dental providers will work in Africa as a ‘feel good’ trip with no follow up.”

For most of the children at the orphanage this was the first dental care and oral heath education they’d ever received. In the past, the only oral health care offered to those in the vicinity of the orphanage was the hospital in the Mchinji District, many kilometers away.

Dr. Merabi’s second trip to the orphanage was just the beginning of his and Raising Malawi’s long range plans to boost the dental infrastructure in Malawi.
To further this goal, Harvard donated $70,000 worth of dental equipment to the local hospital in the Mchinji District. It’s a critical donation as the hospital has only able to perform extractions because supply shortages prevent them from offering anything other than tooth extractions. There are also plans to offer more advanced training to the dental staff at the hospital.

Dr. Merabi said he’s “very impressed with how adept Raising Malawi is at absorbing different ideas,” adding that the organization’s commitment to prophylactic oral prevention “is a very smart move and will have major ramifications.”

Hopefully, Malawi will be an example of how other NGOs can offer dental care throughout the rest of the developing world.

Once Dr. Merabi finished working on Lisa she surprised him with a warm hug. She understood that while it was a scary experience, it was for her own good. To top it off, Lisa had absolutely no pain the next day.

Oral Health Relief Program Brings Smiles to Orphaned Children in Malawi
August 29, 2007
By Rachel Strickland

Lilongwe, Malawi – A team of Harvard College dentists have travelled to Malawi to perform preventative and restorative dental services on hundreds of disadvantaged children.

In recent years, a greater emphasis has been put on developing global policies in oral health promotion and disease prevention, as oral diseases have been linked with other chronic aliments, such as cancer, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes.

A shortage of certified dentists and the rising costs of curative dental services have led to a multitude of health problems among Malawi’s 13 million citizens.

In line with its mission to improve the lives of orphans and vulnerable children, Raising Malawi sponsored a team of Harvard College dentists to perform oral health screenings, emergency and preventative dental services, restorative operation, and oral health education for 600 children at Consol Homes and Home of Hope Orphanage in July, 2007.

This initiative is part of an overall strategic plan designed by faculty at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine to define short term and long term solutions for lack of oral health care on the African Continent.

“The oral health disease burden in Africa is a significant health issue and one of increasing importance,” says Sam Merabi, DMD, President of Child Dental Relief, Inc., and Clinical Instructor at Harvard School of Dental Medicine.

Dental pain is an excruciating experience and one of the reasons oral health has a significant effect on quality of one’s life. The most vulnerable are orphans and impoverished children in rural areas of Africa. They are the least likely to receive proper dental attention.”

A second visit to Malawi by the Harvard team in October, 2007 will involve oral screenings including evaluation of previous treatments as well as continued emergency, restorative, and preventative procedures. Oral health education will also be provided focusing on an oral health analog of hygiene and disease etiology and prevention.

Raising Malawi is committed to ensuring the success of this mission, and will continue to seek other opportunities to enhance healthcare throughout the country.

For more information, please contact Philippe van den Bossche at: philippe@raisingmalawi.org

About Raising Malawi:

Raising Malawi Orphan Care Initiative is a humanitarian aid program designed to revitalize hundreds of thousands of underprivileged and at-risk children.

Raising Malawi provides financial support, volunteers and technologies to increase the quality of life for countless children and adults.

SFK – Malawi: Whatever They Are Facing…We Will Be There To Help
August 24, 2007

By Rachel Strickland

Lilongwe, Malawi – In July, 2006, Sylvia Namakhwa assumed the role of Program Director for SFK–Malawi and began the challenge of transforming the lives of Malawi’s orphaned and vulnerable children.

Under her leadership, SFK–Malawi has reached over 2,000 children, as well as parents and caregivers. We recently caught up with Sylvia to discuss SFK’s successes, challenges, and plans for the future.

Rachel: Sylvia, despite last year’s bumper crop harvest in Malawi, millions of people are still being affected by food insecurity. Is SFK–Malawi reaching out to these children and families?

Sylvia: Absolutely! SFK–Malawi not only looks after the emotional well-being of children and families, but also their physical health. We have distributed farm inputs for winter cropping to one hundred and twenty families at Consol Homes in Lilongwe. This included fertilizer, maize, potatoes, different types of vegetables and chemicals for pest and disease control. We hope that these families will use our donation to generate more income for next year's farm inputs.

Also, we have procured school uniform materials and items that include: socks, underwear, shoes and cloth for the children. Whatever they are facing – abuse, food shortage, health crises, no school supplies – we will be there to help.

Rachel: What are the major challenges you see children facing today?

Sylvia: We recently had a briefing with Consol Homes after a mentorship meeting with children. We highlighted to them issues that came out such as illness of some kids, dropping out of school by some kids, some kids not doing well at school, abuse. Following this meeting, we had a session with parents and chiefs to set conditions for children under mentorship program. One of the conditions is that they must be in school.

I am looking forward to seeing improvements in all of these areas as a result of our mentorship program.

Rachel: SFK–Malawi has made the transition from a small-scale grassroots initiative to a well respected, in-demand program. How did your team achieve this?

Sylvia: It’s true that many people were skeptical of the program when we first began. But ultimately SFK’s track record speaks for itself. The results are in the children and even the most adamant critics are seeing that now. In fact, we have been asked to teach at NGOs that previously rejected us. The changes in attitude are wonderful.

Rachel: Where will you be teaching in the fall?

Sylvia: We will be teaching at all of our regular sites: Consol Homes, Home of Hope orphanage, the new Raising Malawi–Consol Homes Orphan Care Centre, The Social Rehabilitation Centre, and Save the Children. We have also been invited to teach juveniles at Kachere Prison and Mbyanzi Rehabilitation Centre.

Rachel: Thank you, Sylvia.

Sylvia: Thank you!

SFK-Malawi is currently offered to hundreds of orphaned and vulnerable children through several community based organizations. Children attending the program receive psycho-social support, education, food, transportation, personalized mentorship, and other support.

To learn more about SFK, please visit: www.sfk.org

For more information, please contact Philippe van den Bossche at: philippe@raisingmalawi.org

About Raising Malawi:

Raising Malawi Orphan Care Initiative is a humanitarian aid program designed to revitalize hundreds of thousands of underprivileged and at-risk children.

Raising Malawi provides financial support, volunteers and technologies to increase the quality of life for countless children and adults.

Madonna & Raising Malawi Featured in Vanity Fair!
by Rachel Strickland
June 7, 2007

Los Angeles, California – Madonna is featured on the cover of Vanity Fair’s “Africa Issue” which is available on newsstands through July, 2007.

Guest edited by U2 lead Bono, the July 2007 issue features two cover shots of Madonna (photographed by Annie Leibovitz) as well as an in depth interview with the singer about her work in Malawi and exclusive pictures from her latest trip to Africa with the Raising Malawi team.

The “Africa Issue” (www.vanityfair.com) aims to raise awareness for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. These diseases kill over 6 million people each year, and the numbers are steadily increasing.

In Malawi, there are approximately 1 million people living with HIV/AIDS, 70,000 people living with Tuberculosis, and 18% of all hospital deaths are attributed to Malaria.

Raising Malawi is working to elevate the existence of children suffering from these diseases in Malawi by supporting grass organizations that provide state-of-the-art medical care, home based care, bed nets, clean drinking water, nutritious meals, and other support.

On inspiring others to join her cause and take action, Madonna says, “You have to give people solutions, and you have to invite them to get involved in whatever way they can, whether that's doing volunteer work or taking a portion of their salary and figuring out where they want that money to go. You have to find ways to inspire people to get involved.”

To make a donation to Raising Malawi, click HERE. To volunteer, please contact Rachel Strickland, at: volunteer@raisingmalawi.org

For information on Raising Malawi, please contact Philippe van den Bossche, at: philippe@raisingmalawi.org

About Raising Malawi:

Raising Malawi Orphan Care Initiative is a humanitarian aid program designed to revitalize hundreds of thousands of underprivileged and at-risk children.

Raising Malawi provides financial support, volunteers and technologies (i.e., solar power, clean drinking water systems, internet service, etc.) to increase the quality of life for countless children and adults.

Madonna Back in Malawi
by Rachel Strickland
May 15, 2007

Malawi, Africa – Madonna was greeted warmly as she returned to Africa last month to oversee the progress of Raising Malawi.

In January, 2006 Madonna co-founded Raising Malawi with Michael Bergto revitalize the lives of hundreds of thousands of underprivileged and at-risk children.

Madonna’s journey included site visits to:

Lilongwe (Malawi’s capital): Madonna attended SFK-Malawi classes at the government-run Social Rehabilitation Centre, and met with street children attending the program. SFK-Malawi is a specialized empowerment program tailored to meet the unique needs and circumstances of Malawi’s vulnerable children. “Madonna’s visit to the Social Rehab Centre was a pleasure,” said Sylvia Namakhwa, SFK-Malawi’s Executive Director. “Her support of SFK-Malawi is an inspiration and deeply appreciated.” To date, SFK-Malawi has graduated hundreds of children and has gained the support of government and traditional authority leaders in Malawi.

Also in Lilongwe, Madonna toured the Raising Malawi Consol Homes Orphan Care Centre. The Orphan Care Centre is one of Raising Malawi’s most expansive initiatives. Once open, the Centre will provide food, education, psycho-social programs, playtime activities, and support for elderly caregivers in the community. In addition to this, the Orphan Care Centre sets a new standard for community based child care centres across Malawi.

Mchinji District: Madonna toured the U.N. backed Millennium Village project (www.millenniumpromise.org). This project provides long-term agricultural, economic, medical, educational, and social sustainability for thousands of Malawian families, and has advanced the Millennium Promise goal of eliminating extreme poverty by the year 2025. As a result of the newly implemented Millennium Promise strategies in Gumulira:

crop growth doubled last year creating a rare food surplus in the village;
interventions in the way of education and water contamination have taken place, producing viable results;
nearly 100% of all local households have been provided with bed nets - which will reduce the instances of malaria by up to 60 percent.

During her stay in Mchinji, Madonna visited the Home of Hope Orphanage where major building renovations are underway. These renovations include the refurbishing of dormitories, classrooms, a kitchen, a medical clinic, and several houses. Home of Hope currently serves over 500 orphaned children. Madonna also attended SFK-Malawi classes at the Orphanage.

Malawi Countryside: Madonna traveled the countryside to gather more facts and footage for her upcoming documentary. The documentary will focus on the plight of Malawi’s orphans while discussing possible solutions for their future. Through her travels, Madonna has identified various solutions for helping Malawi’s children achieve their highest potential and create lasting change in the country - one of which is the SFK-Malawi program. Currently, SFK-Malawi is being offered to approximately 700 children through Home of Hope Orphanage, Consol Homes, and the Social Rehabilitation Centre.

Raising Malawi is currently providing support for over 100,000 orphans and other vulnerable children through several community based organizations and other projects.

For information, please contact Philippe van den Bossche, at: philippe@raisingmalawi.org

About Raising Malawi:

Raising Malawi Orphan Care Initiative is a humanitarian aid program designed to revitalize hundreds of thousands of underprivileged and at-risk children.

Raising Malawi provides financial support, volunteers and technologies (i.e., solar power, clean drinking water systems, internet service, etc.) to increase the quality of life for countless children and adults.

Raising Malawi Pen-Pal Project to Build
International Friendships
by Rachel Strickland
April 20, 2007,

Los Angeles, California – Inner-city school children in the United States will soon connect with new friends in Malawi, Africa as Raising Malawi prepares to launch L.O.V.E (Letting Others Value Each Other): an overseas pen-pal project linking American students (ages 9-12) with Malawian orphans and vulnerable children.

School children from Chicago, Detroit and Oakland will begin the pen-pal exchange in May 2007, sending topic specific letters with information such as: name, age, hometown, favorite subject, favorite thing to do, and a Polaroid photo.

"The pen-pal project will enable a community of Malawian orphans to feel inspired, loved, and connected to children in another part of the world,” says L.O.V.E founder Nicole Durham. “Also, the project will develop in inner-city school students a sense of awareness, dedication, and a commitment to positively contribute to the lives of those less fortunate."

SFK-Malawi’s Executive Director, Sylvia Namakhwa is equally enthusiastic about the possibilities, “I feel that our children will greatly benefit from this correspondence. It could be a motivation for them to continue going to school or even join school.”

After the pilot pen-pal project is launched in May 2007, Raising Malawi will seek to expand the project throughout the United States; offering more at-risk and inner-city children with the opportunity to forge valuable friendships overseas.

For information on how you can contribute to this project, please contact Rachel Strickland at: rachel.strickland@raisingmalawi.org

About Raising Malawi:

Raising Malawi Orphan Care Initiative is a humanitarian aid program designed to revitalize hundreds of thousands of underprivileged and at-risk children.

Raising Malawi provides financial support, volunteers and technologies (i.e., solar power, clean drinking water systems, internet service, etc.) to increase the quality of life for countless children and adults.

The Foundation for Children’s Rights and Children of Hope and Destiny Receive Funding From Raising Malawi
by Rachel Strickland
April 19, 2007

Lilongwe, Malawi – Raising Malawi has added Children of Hope and Destiny (CHAD) and Foundation for Children’s Rights (FCR) to its growing list of partner community based organizations.

Since 2006, Raising Malawi has worked with the Network for Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Malawi to identify community based organizations in need of financial assistance.

Children of Hope and Destiny is located in Malawi’s capital, Lilongwe. Raising Malawi will work with CHAD to build a new orphanage, implement a feeding program for street children, and provide financial assistance for higher education.

Foundation for Children’s Rights is located in Mzuzu. Through FCR, Raising Malawi will provide school fees, microloans to care givers, and mobilize volunteers for educational programs.

Currently, Raising Malawi provides financial resources for direct physical and urgent needs, including food, clothing, medical care, child advocacy, education and psycho-social programs to the following organizations:

- Somebody Cares
- Kindle Orphan Care
- Ministry of Hope
- Consol Homes
- Chinansungwe CBO
- Save Orphans Ministry

These community based organizations, along with Foundation for Children’s Rights and Children of Hope and Destiny were identified for financial assistance on the basis of exemplary work with vulnerable children and a history of strong leadership & accountability.
For more information, please contact Philippe van den Bossche at: philippe@raisingmalawi.org

About Raising Malawi:

Raising Malawi Orphan Care Initiative is a humanitarian aid program designed to revitalize hundreds of thousands of underprivileged and at-risk children.

Raising Malawi provides financial support, volunteers and technologies to increase the quality of life for countless children and adults.

Students for Malawi Academic Forum
To Highlight Raising Malawi
by Rachel Strickland
April 5, 2007

Sheboygan, Wisconsin – This month, Students for Malawi – Lakeland College will host an on-campus multimedia presentation on Malawi, Africa.
The event will be lead by Jeff Elzinga, Professor of Writing and Director of Lakeland’s Malawi Teacher Education Program (pictured left). A former Foreign Service Officer with the United States Department of State, Professor Elzinga lived in Malawi from 1991-93, during the country’s transition to multiparty democracy. At the time, Jeff was the Embassy’s political and consular officer. He received the State Department’s “Superior Honor Award” for his work during that assignment.

A PowerPoint & photo presentation will be available to guests, as well as a discussion of the activities of the Raising Malawi Orphan Care Initiative.

The event will be held on-campus on April 17th and an off-campus on April 19th.

Students for Malawi is an ongoing global awareness campaign based on the belief that organized student groups around the world will play a vital role in raising awareness and financial resources for Malawi’s orphans and vulnerable children.

For more information on this event, please contact Students for Malawi – Lakeland College Director, David Gallianetti at: gallianettidd@lakeland.edu.

For more information on Students for Malawi, please contact Rachel Strickland at: rachel.strickland@raisingmalawi.org

About Raising Malawi:

Raising Malawi Orphan Care Initiative is a humanitarian aid program designed to revitalize hundreds of thousands of underprivileged and at-risk children.

Raising Malawi provides financial support, volunteers and technologies (i.e., solar power, clean drinking water systems, internet service, etc.) to increase the quality of life for countless children and adults.

African Studies Author & Professor Joins The
Raising Malawi Academic Support Network
by Rachel Strickland
April 5, 2007

Los Angeles, California - Ezekiel Kalipeni, an Associate Professor of Geography and African Studies at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, has joined the Raising Malawi Academic Support Network.

Professor Kalipeni holds a Ph.D. and an M.A. in Geography and Population Studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a B.Soc.Sc. from the University of Malawi. He has taught at the following schools: Chancellor College, University of Malawi (1986-1988), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1988-1991), Colgate University (1991-1994) and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (1994 - present).

His research interests focus on health care issues, population, the environment and medical geography. Professor Kalipeni has conducted extensive research on diseases, mortality, fertility, and migration with reference to Malawi and Southern Africa in general. He is currently working on HIV/AIDS in Africa concentrating on migration and vulnerability/risk to HIV.

The Raising Malawi Academic Support Network consists of a team of 12 professors nationwide who provide critical input on Raising Malawi’s upcoming projects and programs.

Selected publications of Ezekiel Kalipeni:

Kalipeni, E. ed. 1994. Population Growth and Environmental Degradation in Southern Africa. Boulder, Colorado: Lynne Rienner Publishers.

Kalipeni, E. and Philip Thiuri, eds. 1997. Issues and Perspectives on Health Care in Contemporary Sub-Saharan Africa. Lewiston, New York: Edwin Mellen Press.

Kalipeni, E. and Oppong, J. Guest Eds. 1999. AIDS, Health Care Systems and Culture in Sub-Saharan Africa: Rethinking and Re-Appraisal. Special Issue of African Rural and Urban Studies Vol 3(2) (1996). East Lansing: Michigan State University Press.

Kalipeni, E. and Zeleza, P. T. eds. 1999. Sacred Spaces and Public Quarrels: African Economic and Cultural Landscapes. Lawrenceville, NJ: Africa World Press.

Kalipeni, E.; Craddock, S.; Oppong, J. and Ghosh, J. eds. 2004. HIV/AIDS in Africa: Beyond Epidemiology. Oxford: Blackwell Publishers.

Kalipeni, E.; Oppong, J. R. and Zerai, A. Guest Eds. 2007. HIV/AIDS in Africa: Gender, Agency and Empowerment. Special Issue of Social Science and Medicine 64(5), pp. 1015-1150.

For more information, please contact Philippe van den Bossche at: philippe@raisingmalawi.org

About Raising Malawi:

Raising Malawi Orphan Care Initiative is a humanitarian aid program designed to revitalize hundreds of thousands of underprivileged and at-risk children.

Raising Malawi provides financial support, volunteers and technologies to increase the quality of life for countless children and adults.

Raising Malawi’s Executive Director Makes Quarterly Site Visit in Malawi
by Rachel Strickland
March 8, 2007

Los Angeles, California –Philippe van den Bossche, Executive Director of Raising Malawi, has made his quarterly visit to Malawi, Africa, to view the progress of Raising Malawi’s projects and seek out new opportunities for assistance.

His most recent trip to Africa included stops in Lilongwe, Blantyre, Mchinji, Nyanja, Mangochi, Mezuz, and Ntcheu.

The following is a brief summary of Philippe’s site visit:

Raising Malawi Consol Homes Orphan Care Centre (Lilongwe)

- Construction of the Raising Malawi Consol Homes Orphan Care Centre (pictured above) is 90% complete. Upon completion, the Centre will establish a new standard of child care centers throughout the country.

Millennium Village (Gumulira)

- Interventions in the way of education and water contamination have taken place, producing viable results.
- Local farmers have adopted new agricultural strategies. As a result, local families will dramatically increase their crop growth for the year.
- Nearly 100% of all local households have been provided with bed nets - which will reduce the instances of malaria by 60%.

New Program Partners (Lilongwe & Mzuzu)

- Raising Malawi has added “Children of Hope and Destiny” and “Foundation for Children’s Rights” to its growing list of partner community based organizations. These community based organizations were chosen on the basis of exemplary work with vulnerable children and a history of strong leadership & accountability. .

SFK Malawi (Lilongwe & Mchinji)

- SFK Malawi has distributed hundreds of bags of maize to local villages as part of the SFK Malawi Community Outreach Program.
- SFK Malawi has established a “Street Kids” program to benefit homeless Malawian children who have been victimized by physical, emotional and sexual abuses.
- SFK Malawi has finished teaching a new Level One SFK course at the Mchinji Home of Hope Orphanage. Over 100 children participated.

Gifts & Essential Items

- Four, forty-foot containers with hundreds of pieces of clothing, toys, and essential items have been distributed to tens of thousands of children across Malawi

Bed Net Distribution

- 10,300 life-saving bed nets have been distributed throughout Malawi, safeguarding 50,000 men, women and children from malaria.

Home of Hope Orphanage (Mchinji)

- Raising Malawi announced plans to renovate the Home of Hope Orphanage in Malawi’s Mchinji district. Home of Hope currently provides food, clothing, education, medical care, and shelter for over 500 orphaned children. The renovation includes the refurbishing of Home of Hope’s dormitories, classrooms, kitchen, a medical clinic, and several houses.

Raising Malawi intends to provide support for all of these projects while continuing to seek out new opportunities to impact the lives of vulnerable children in Malawi.

For more information, please contact Rachel Strickland at: rachel.strickland@raisingmalawi.org

About Raising Malawi:

Raising Malawi Orphan Care Initiative is a humanitarian aid program designed to revitalize hundreds of thousands of underprivileged and at-risk children.

Raising Malawi provides financial support, volunteers and technologies (i.e., solar power, clean drinking water systems, internet service, etc.) to increase the quality of life for countless children and adults.

Kitegang Provides Recreational Toys
To Consol Homes & Home of Hope Orphanage
by Rachel Strickland
March 2, 2007

Lilongwe, Malawi – Kitegang, a children’s charitable organization in Minneapolis, has announced plans to travel to Malawi to provide children affected by extreme poverty with high quality kites.

On the heels of a successful trip to Tanzania, Kitegang’s team, including co-founders Kim Burkes & Patrick McGrann, will visit two of Raising Malawi’s most prominent partner community based organizations, Consol Homes and Home of Hope Orphanage.

During their visit to these sites, Kitegang will provide orphans and vulnerable children with kite flying presentations, as well as several hands-on kite decorating demonstrations.

All kites used in these creative exercises will be donated to the respective orphan care centers for future playtime activities.

“We recognize the need for stimulating play activities for the growing number of children left without families,” says Kitegang. “At this point in our evolution, Kitegang is dropping a little kindness into the pool and waiting to see where the ripples lead.”
Kitegang will arrived in Malawi on March 12th and will end their charitable journey on March 18th.

To learn more about Kitegang, please visit: www.kitegang.org

To view Kitegang’s Malawi blog, please visit: www.elizabethphotography.com

For more information, please contact Philippe van den Bossche at: philippe@raisingmalawi.org

About Raising Malawi:

Raising Malawi Orphan Care Initiative is a humanitarian aid program designed to revitalize hundreds of thousands of underprivileged and at-risk children.

Raising Malawi provides financial support, volunteers and technologies (i.e., solar power, clean drinking water systems, internet service, etc.) to increase the quality of life for countless children and adults.

“AJ 4 Africa” Fundraising Makes Early Progress
by Rachel Strickland
March1, 2007

Apache Junction, Arizona – “AJ 4 Africa,” a Students for Malawi chapter at Apache Junction High School, has made early progress in its on-campus fundraising efforts.

“AJ 4 Africa” was founded by Preston Romero in December 2006 as a vehicle to raise financial resources and awareness for Raising Malawi’s partner community based organizations (CBOs). Currently, there are over 40,000 children under the care of these CBOs.

In the first week of “AJ 4 Africa’s” fundraising campaign, five Apache Junction sophomore history classes - averaging about 25-29 students - raised over $600 for Raising Malawi.

“It makes me sad to see and hear the stories of the orphaned children in Malawi,” says Preston Romero, “but it also brings me great joy to see that such a difference is being made right here at Apache Junction High School.”

AJ 4 Africa has plans to continue their successful donation campaign, while seeking further opportunities for local fundraising and youth-awareness projects.

To learn more about “AJ 4 Africa,” please visit: http://www.myspace.com/aj4africa

For more information, please contact Rachel Strickland at: rachel.strickland@raisingmalawi.org

About Raising Malawi:

Raising Malawi Orphan Care Initiative is a humanitarian aid program designed to revitalize hundreds of thousands of underprivileged and at-risk children.

Los Angeles, California – Linda Semu, Ph.D. - a Malawian professor at McDaniel College - has joined the Raising Malawi Academic Support Network, bringing with her a wealth of expertise, experience and knowledge in the area of community based

orphan care. The Academic Support Network is currently tackling subjects that bear directly on Semu’s dissertation, “The Interplay of State, Family Structure and Land: A Study on Women and Children’s Well- Being in Matrilineal Households in Southern Malawi.” In that work, for which she earned her Ph.D. from Indiana University Bloomington, Semu examined family structures, state policies, and how they affect women and children.

“This is something I can share with my students,” says Linda Semu. “In my course, ‘Global Social Change,’ we look at global problems and focus on what we can do as individuals. I emphasize that there is no magical solution and that we all need to take responsibility.”

“Dr. Semu brings a rare combination of talents to this work, as a native of Malawi and an expert on the sociology of the African family,” says Provost and Dean of Faculty Tom Falkner. “The Academic Support Network is a project that has enormous potential for good.”

“I am grateful to be able to impact Malawi’s children,” Semu says. “For me to be able to contribute in a small way is a big deal, and I feel humbled to be a part of it.”

The Raising Malawi Academic Support Network consists of a team of 12 professors nationwide who provide critical input on Raising Malawi’s upcoming projects and programs.

For more information please contact Philippe van den Bossche at: philippe@raisingmalawi.org

About Raising Malawi:

Raising Malawi Orphan Care Initiative is a humanitarian aid program designed to revitalize hundreds of thousands of underprivileged and at-risk children.

Los Angeles, California – Raising Malawi is set to unveil a unique on-line learning resource which will seek to increase public understanding of Sub-Saharan Africa’s least developed country: Malawi.

Co-created by a team of Malawian volunteers and available for viewing exclusively via www.raisingmalawi.org, this project will break from traditional education outlets by allowing native Malawians to tell their stories and educate the public as only they can.

While Raising Malawi provides financial support, volunteers and technologies to increase the quality of life for countless orphans and vulnerable children, the organization recognizes that increased public awareness for the critical issues facing Malawians will be essential to affecting lasting change in the region.

A total of 15 Malawian educators and business professionals have contributed to the on-going learning project, which will be accessible to the public when Raising Malawi launches its official volunteer website in March 2007.

For more information please contact Philippe van den Bossche at: philippe@raisingmalawi.org

About Raising Malawi:

Raising Malawi Orphan Care Initiative is a humanitarian aid program designed to revitalize hundreds of thousands of underprivileged and at-risk children.

Lakeland College Students Provide
Home of Hope Orphans with Textbooks
by Rachel Strickland
January 26, 2007

Sheboygan, Wisconsin – Students at Lakeland College in Wisconsin, have recently partnered with Raising Malawi’s student program – Students for Malawi – to provide children living at the Home of Hope Orphanage in Malawi’s Mchinji district with much needed textbooks.

Lakeland's flourishing relationship with Malawi started in 1999 when Professor Jeff Elzinga led the development of the college's Malawi Teacher Education Initiative. As a result of this unique initiative, Lakeland College partners with the United States and Malawian governments to bring five Malawian students to Lakeland annually, for three years of intensive study.

Since the programs inception, a total of 25 students have graduated with a bachelor's degree in education and have returned to Malawi to serve as faculty in various teacher training colleges across the country.

A group of nine Lakeland students form the steering committee for Lakeland College’s Students for Malawi chapter. Two students serving on the committee – Stella Stima-Chauluka and Ndamyo Mwanyongo – are concurrently participating in the Malawi Teacher Education Initiative.

The group will assist Raising Malawi with a portion of its effort to recondition the Home of Hope Orphanage in Mchinji, Malawi, as they launch a large community book drive to benefit over 500 children living at the orphanage.

Students for Malawi is an ongoing global awareness campaign based on the belief that organized student groups around the world will play a vital role in raising awareness for the orphan crisis in Malawi, Africa.

To learn more about the Malawi Teacher Education Initiative at Lakeland College, visit www.lakeland.edu/malawi

For more information on Students for Malawi, please contact Rachel Strickland at: rachel.strickland@raisingmalawi.org

About Raising Malawi:

Raising Malawi Orphan Care Initiative is a humanitarian aid program designed to revitalize hundreds of thousands of underprivileged and at-risk children.

“AJ 4 Africa”- Improving the World
by Rachel Strickland
January 18, 2007

Apache Junction, Arizona – Preston Ramero, a 16 year-old at Apache Junction High School, has inspired his fellow classmates to raise funds and awareness for the current orphan crisis in Malawi, Africa.

Worldwide, it is estimated that more than 15 million children under 18 have been orphaned as a result of AIDS. More than 500,000 of these children live in Malawi.

The “AJ 4 Africa” campaign, led by Preston Ramero, will be the first in a series of Volunteer Malawi initiatives designed to generate awareness for the state of Malawi’s vulnerable children among the world’s youth.

“I wanted to start an African relief effort with my high school to help people around the world who were at a point of no return,” said Preston Ramero, a junior at Apache Junction. “I believe that we as individuals can make a difference, but as a collective group we can change the world.”

“AJ 4 Africa,” has encouraged students - with the support of school administration and faculty – to place donation jars in all Apache Junction classrooms; plans to host a benefit concert and launch an ad campaign are underway.

“Through these two projects I plan to raise awareness for Malawi and get other teenagers to have a more compassionate view of the world,” said Preston Ramero.

To learn more about “AJ 4 Africa,” please visit: http://www.myspace.com/aj4africa

For more information, please contact Philippe van den Bossche at: philippe@raisingmalawi.org

About Raising Malawi:

Raising Malawi Orphan Care Initiative is a humanitarian aid program designed to revitalize hundreds of thousands of underprivileged and at-risk children.

Los Angeles, California – Raising Malawi welcomes a group of research volunteers, known as the Global Village, to its diverse volunteer program: Volunteer Malawi.
In December 2006, Volunteer Malawi launched its interactive volunteer program, allowing hundreds of home-based volunteers to choose assignments in areas such as:
- Awareness-building
- Fundraising
- Research
- Student Activism
Global Village members are among the most ambitious and passionate volunteers who have stepped forward to serve Raising Malawi.

This dynamic group of professionals with experience in fields such as: clinical physiology, global marketing management, health and wellness development, and non-profit consulting will bring leadership and vision to Volunteer Malawi as they research new opportunities for development; seek to leverage innovative technologies; and forge valuable alliances with other socially-conscious organizations.

For more information on this story or to learn how you can get involved, please contact Rachel Strickland at: rachel.strickland@raisingmalawi.org

About Raising Malawi:

Raising Malawi Orphan Care Initiative is a humanitarian aid program designed to revitalize hundreds of thousands of underprivileged and at-risk children.

“Having lived and worked in Malawi, I know that HIV/AIDS has placed enormous strain on the country – which, even before the pandemic, was characterized by extreme poverty,” said Peter Von Doepp, Ph.D. “I was quite excited to learn that Raising Malawi was getting involved in relief and development efforts in the country. And I am eager to offer whatever support I can to help the organization.”

With the collaboration and support of Raising Malawi, the Academic Support Network will undertake the task of improving the lives and futures of ordinary Malawians.

For more information, please contact Philippe van den Bossche at: philippe@raisingmalawi.org

About Raising Malawi:

Raising Malawi Orphan Care Initiative is a humanitarian aid program designed to revitalize hundreds of thousands of underprivileged and at-risk children.

Raising Malawi provides financial support, volunteers and technologies (i.e., solar power, clean drinking water systems, internet service, etc.) to increase the quality of life for countless children and adults.

Raising Malawi Identifies 5-Point Strategy
by Rachel Strickland
December 29, 2006

Los Angeles, California – An innovative 5-point strategy to revitalize the lives of hundreds of thousands of orphans and vulnerable children has been identified by Madonna and Michael Berg, and is currently being implemented by Raising Malawi.
Cultural appropriateness and long-term success were used as the guiding principles in creating this unique approach that will nourish, sustain, and build the hope of underprivileged and at-risk children throughout Malawi.
With the installation of our 5-point strategy Raising Malawi will:
• Provide immediate direct physical assistance for orphans and vulnerable children through effective and efficient non-government, grass-roots organizations;
• Create long-term sustainability through creative methodologies and systems;
• Support psychosocial programs designed for children traumatized by HIV/AIDS, poverty, parental loss, malnourishment, and disease;
• Manifest all projects taking into consideration the guidelines set forth by the National Plan of Action (a document created by the Malawian government and UNICEF);
• Encourage dialogue with the Malawian government and Traditional Authority leaders to respect the Malawian culture and support their participation and vision for the future.
For more information, please contact Philippe van den Bossche at: philippe@raisingmalawi.org

120 Children Graduate From SFK Malawi
by Rachel Strickland
December 28, 2006

Lilongwe, Malawi – Spirituality for Kids (SFK) has announced the graduation of 120 children participating in its specialized empowerment program aimed at improving the lives of Malawi’s most vulnerable children.
SFK Malawi’s unique curriculum - which enables children to increase their sense of empowerment, make healthier choices, decrease reactive behaviors, improve school-related attitudes and improve the quality of their family lives– is currently being taught to at-risk children in North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Central America.
During the ceremony, SFK Malawi students and teachers guided the attendees through several lessons of the 10 week course - highlighting the proven results of the program. These results have prompted a large number of Malawians, including government officials & Traditional Authority leaders, to praise SFK Malawi and call for the further expansion of its programs.
In a radio speech to the nation soon after the graduation, Adrina Mchiela, Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Women and Child Development, expressed the government’s satisfaction with the positive affects of SFK Malawi and urged the public to support efforts to extend the program throughout Malawi so that more at-risk children will be given the opportunity to benefit from its curriculum.
To learn more about SFK, please visit www.SFK.org.
For more information, please contact Philippe van den Bossche at: philippe@raisingmalawi.org

Raising Malawi Provides Lifesaving
Bed Nets to Orphans & Vulnerable Children
by Rachel Strickland
December 21, 2006

Malawi, Africa – Raising Malawi has recently taken measures to prevent the further spread of one of Malawi’s most pervasive and least talked about illnesses: malaria.
Malaria – one of the deadliest diseases in human history – infects over 400 million people worldwide each year, the vast majority of them children. In Malawi, these infections account for nearly one third of all registered deaths.
While scientists have yet to produce a vaccine for malaria, preventative bed nets offer a simple and cost-effective solution to the thousands of uninfected children living in Malawi.
According to experts, these bed nets could reduce the incidences of malaria by 60% annually in the villages in which they have been distributed. Having raised funds that will provide 10,346 lifesaving bed nets to 22 community based organizations in Lilongwe, Blantyre, Mchinji, and other locations, Raising Malawi will continue to drastically improve the lives and futures of countless orphans and other vulnerable children.
For more information on this story or to learn how you can assist Raising Malawi with these efforts, please contact Philippe van den Bossche at: philippe@raisingmalawi.org

Raising Malawi Joins NutraCea & Feed the Children In Hunger Campaign
by Rachel Strickland
December 17, 2006

Lilongwe, Malawi – Through a collaborative effort between Raising Malawi, NutraCea, and Feed the Children, thousands of orphaned children will soon be provided with a beneficial food supplement aimed at reversing the effects of severe malnutrition.
According to reports made by the United Nations, nearly 2 million children die in Sub-Saharan Africa each year from hunger related causes. With the support of the First Lady of Malawi, Ethel Mutharika, and the Ethel Mutharika Foundation, NutraCea will begin to distribute 40,000 pounds of their highly nutritious food supplement - RiSolubles - to 5,000 children living at Consol Homes, a community based organization supported by Raising Malawi.
Philippe van den Bossche, Executive Director of Raising Malawi, welcomed the in-kind donation as an important contribution to the goals of Raising Malawi. “We believe that we all have a responsibility to support those experiencing pain and suffering, especially the countless innocent children living in Malawi. While Raising Malawi encourages the active development of Malawian-based nutritional businesses, we wholeheartedly welcome the generous donation of RiSolubles by NutraCea. This act of kindness will serve thousands of children in need.”
Raising Malawi is committed to offering lasting solutions to children suffering from this silent epidemic and will continue to seek new partnerships in order to help orphans and other vulnerable children live healthier lives.
For more information, please contact Rachel Strickland at: rachel.strickland@raisingmalawi.org

Stephanie Johnson Hosts Fundraiser to Benefit
Malawi’s Orphans
Rachel Strickland
December 5, 2006

Los Angeles, California - Internationally-recognized handbag designer, Stephanie Johnson, recently hosted a fundraiser at her home in Venice, California – raising over $15,000 to benefit Raising Malawi Orphan Care Initiative.

Raising Malawi’s Executive Director, Philippe van den Bossche, was the featured speaker at the event, which included cocktails, dinner, and an exclusive photo essay presented by Julie Dennis Brothers.

Stephanie’s desire to assist the growing number of vulnerable children in Malawi was deepened by her visit to Africa in June of 2006. Along with a group of eleven international philanthropists, including Raising Malawi’s co-founder Michael Berg, Stephanie visited several orphanages that are currently being supported by Raising Malawi Orphan Care Initiative.

With the generous donations received at this fundraising event, Raising Malawi will continue to provide tens of thousands of Malawian children with food, clothing, education, advocacy, and psycho-social support.

If you would like information about organizing a charity event to benefit Raising Malawi, please contact Gia Gallo at gia.gallo@raisingmalawi.org

Toy Drive to Spread
Christmas Joy in Malawi
Rachel Strickland
December 6, 2006

San Francisco, California – Toy donations made to Raising Malawi by the Maitri Compassionate Care AIDS hospice in San Francisco will soon bring Christmas joy to Malawi’s underprivileged children.

For the past 5 years, the residents and staff members of Maitri Compassionate Care have approached the holiday season with one single mission: to provide thousands of orphans around the world with toys and meaningful gifts for Christmas.

“For me it’s always been about the children,” said Maitri resident Peter Dalton. “I feel that by reaching out to these children and providing them with a small spark of happiness, I have received as much, if not more joy then I’ve given.”

The annual toy drive, which has fulfilled the holiday wishes of over 15,000 children to date, is set to coincide with the International AIDS Awareness Week in December.

This year, Maitri has raised a significant amount of money from families in the San Francisco area, many of whom have lost a love one to AIDS, and has committed to donating 3,000 toys to the various community based organizations supported by Raising Malawi.

It is expected that all toys donated by Maitri Compassionate Care will arrive in Malawi by December 25, 2006.

For more information, please contact Philippe van den Bossche at philipe@raisingmalawi.org

SFK Makes Early Progress
by Rachel Strickland
December 1, 2006

Malawi – In 2006, eight Malawian teachers were hired and brought to the Spirituality for Kids (SFK) Headquarters in Los Angeles for a 12-week training program in the SFK curriculum.
These teachers have been successful in co-creating a psycho-support program aimed at providing personalized mentorship, medical care, education, transportation, lodging, and other support to orphans and vulnerable children in Malawi.
SFK Malawi is currently reaching out to 386 children and 150 parents and guardians, through two community based organizations including Consol Homes Children’s Centre.
In recent weeks, community based organizations and Malawian government officials have taken notice of the dramatic impact SFK is having on the lives of Malawi’s children. “These lessons are very practical, I am deeply touched,” said Andrina Mchiela, Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Women and Child Development. “I believe that these lessons will change people’s mindset…maybe this is something that we could introduce in public schools.”
Sylvia Namakhwa, SFK Malawi’s Program Director, is equally gratified by the profound impact that Spirituality for Kids continues to have on Malawi’s youth, “There are so many miracles happening. Seeing how much change the program is having on the children and seeing them use SFK language outside the classroom amazes me.”
For more information, please contact Philippe van den Bossche at: philippe@raisingmalawi.org

Volunteer Malawi Welcomes First Student Group
by Rachel Strickland
November 16, 2006

London, England – Volunteer Malawi has selected a small group of students from The University of Arts, London to participate in its new global awareness campaign, Students for Malawi.
Volunteer Malawi believes that organized student groups around the world will play a vital role in raising awareness for Malawi’s orphan crisis.
Two Broadcast Journalism students, Natalie Ellis and Matt Wisk, will head the Students for Malawi project on their local UAL campus. Contemporary art installations, documentaries, and other creative projects will be manifested by the students and exhibited in and around London.
Originally from South Africa, Natalie Ellis understands Malawi’s urgent need for international attention and hopes to use her collaboration with Students for Malawi to inspire others to make a difference. “We feel, as students, that if we take a small step and reach out to the children of Malawi, a ripple effect will occur,” she says. “Small actions can make a big difference, its time to get responsible!”
Volunteer Malawi will officially launch its series of interactive volunteer programs in December 2006.
For more information on starting a Student Group, please contact Rachel Strickland at: rachel.strickland@raisingmalawi.org

Proceeds from “Passion for Chaos” to benefit Raising Malawi
by Rachel Strickland
November 21, 2006

London, England – This December, The Edwina Porter Theatre at Nescot College will host “Passion for Chaos” - an evening of contemporary dance and classical song to Verdi and Carl Orffs masterpiece, Carmina Burana.
100% of the proceeds from this event will be donated to Raising Malawi and World AIDS Day.
Tickets for the December 5th and December 6th performances may be purchased from performingarts@nescot.ac.uk or by calling: 020-8394-3249. All shows will begin at 7:30pm.
For more information, please contact Philippe van den Bossche at:
philippe@raisingmalawi.org

Raising Malawi & Millennium Promise
Making Headway Against Poverty
by Rachel Strickland
November 13, 2006

Gumulira, Malawi – Raising Malawi’s long-term collaboration with Millennium Promise is making headway in eradicating extreme poverty.
In recent days, we have been delighted to learn that three major achievements have taken place at the Millennium Village in the Mchinji District village of Gumulira:

- 3,500 bed nets and farm inputs have been generously distributed to families in need
- community sensitization has taken place
- discussions on water invention have transpired and produced solutions that will soon be implemented in the Malawi Village

Millennium Promise (www.millenniumpromise.org) is an internationally recognized organization - founded by Dr. Jeffery Sachs – that seeks to eliminate poverty by the year 2025. Raising Malawi is proud to collaborate with Dr. Sachs on this ambitious mission and elevate awareness for our shared cause.

For more information, please contact Philippe van den Bossche at: philippe@raisingmalawi.org

Raising Malawi Introduces New Volunteer Program
by Rachel Strickland
November 10, 2006

Los Angeles, California – Raising Malawi is pleased to announce the inception of its highly anticipated volunteer initiative, Volunteer Malawi.
In December, Volunteer Malawi will launch an interactive program, allowing hundreds of home-based volunteers to choose assignments in areas such as:

- fundraising (fundRAISE Malawi)
- awareness (Malawi Speaks)
- research (The Global Village)
- student activism (Student Activists for Malawi)

Additionally, Volunteer Malawi will assign qualified volunteers with overseas work placement in agriculture, arts/crafts, construction, education, health, orphan care, and other areas where assistance is needed.
We are currently in the process of identifying a secular non-profit, non-governmental organization based in Malawi to manage our overseas volunteers.
At this time, we have estimated that overseas volunteers will begin working in Malawi no later than February 2007.
For more information, please contact Gia Gallo at: gia.gallo@raisingmalawi.org

Construction Begins on New Orphan Care Center
by Philippe van den Bossche
October 26, 2006

Namitete, Malawi - Construction on one of Raising Malawi’s most exciting and important initiatives, the new Consol Homes Raising Malawi Orphan Care Center, is underway.

In October, architects, engineers, management teams, traditional authority leaders and volunteers celebrated the official groundbreaking of the new child care facility, which will serve thousands of orphans and vulnerable children from various villages in and around the Malawian district of Lilongwe.

The architect for the project, Ismael Patel, and the construction company hired to manifest this exciting project, estimate that the new center will be open on or before March 1, 2007.

The new Consol Homes Raising Malawi Orphan Care center will be managed by Consol Homes, a well-respected secular non-governmental, non-profit, community based organization currently serving approximately 12,500 children.

Consol Homes is well known for the creation of the Orphan Affairs Unit, a unique psycho-social program (endorsed and promoted by UNICEF) for orphan children whereby orphans lead, manage and implement programs for other orphans.

The new facility will provide food, education, psycho social programs, vocational skills training, and other important programs to countless children and families in the area.

For more information, please contact Philippe van den Bossche at:

philippe@raisingmalawi.org

Madonna's Journey To Malawi

Madonna's journey to Malawi included visits to several orphanages. The artist is building an orphanage and child care center in Malawi to help the children of that country whose parents have died as a result of the aids epidemic. Madonna's visit is under the auspices of the Raising Malawi organization.

Madonna's New Children Book, The English Roses: Too Good To Be True Blooms In New York And Worldwide

NEW YORK, September 25, 2006. For Immediate Release . . . Callaway Arts & Entertainment is pleased to announce the October 24th release of Madonna’s The English Roses: Too Good to Be True, the sequel to 2003’s best-selling The English Roses, which debuted at No. 1 on the New York Times’ children’s bestseller list.

Madonna will celebrate the release of Too Good to Be True with a reading at a Barnes & Noble bookstore in New York City. The children’s book author and artist will also make a select number of television appearances in support of the book.

All of Madonna’s proceeds from The English Roses: Too Good to Be True will be donated to Raising Malawi (www.raisingmalawi.com), an orphan-care initiative. In support of the charity, Callaway has published a limited edition of the book in Chichewa, the official language of Malawi, which Madonna will distribute to children when she visits the country in November.

Too Good to Be True continues the story of the English Roses, five girls who are the best of friends. In this next installment, their friendship is tested by the arrival of a new student, Dominic de la Guardia, whose dashing looks and charming manners have them vying for his attention.

Exclusive: Madonna Speaks About Her "Big, Big Project"

Check out the article published by Time.com about Madonna and the Raising Malawi project by a clicking here.

Making History in Malawi
Letter from Dennis Matekenya, National Director of NOVOC of Malawi to Michael Berg, Founder of Raising Malawi:

“…all Community Based Organizations (CBO’s) under this project consider themselves lucky and blessed to be part of this project. The impact on the selected CBO’s will enable them to do the work they have so far only planned and dreamt about. My recent visit to Nyanja Orphan Care gave me an opportunity to see that in only a few months the issues of hunger and starvation will be made history. Already they are thinking about a plan to sustain their work and build their capacity. These CBO’s are now able to feed children, to ensure that children who are orphans and made vulnerable by HIV/AIDS have access to better medical services, food, clothing and social protection….

It is clear already that the selected CBO’s are able to focus much more on providing direct benefit to the children in their care due to a significant decrease in worrying over how they will survive each day….

I do not need to say much about the poverty levels here. You will be glad to know that your support is reaching and benefiting directly the children who need it most.”

Who Will Care for Them?
Excerpts from a recent interview with Victoria Keelan, Managing Director, YARA Malawi & Raising Malawi Regional Project Coordinator:

“Raising Malawi is able to make a difference in terms of uplifting these children from a level of absolute depravity, hunger, turmoil and emotional collapse to a place where they can feel they are loved, cared for, and fed…

There is an average of two to three children dying in a village per day either from malnutrition or the AIDS virus or from just general no care, no love – nothing. They just waste away to nothing. Raising Malawi is going to make a complete and utter change at the grassroots level…

The difference between Raising Malawi and what has happened in the past with donations is the money will reach the grassroots level. The pattern has always been that 90% of donations end up at the administrative level and only 10% ends up at the grassroots level. The impact has not been there....

The way we’re designing what we are doing is that it will impact on children who have nothing….

When you see a child who has absolutely nothing, you begin to realize that the most important, sacred part of our life today is the children, the future. They’re the future leaders - Malawi’s leaders - and the future parents. How can they be leaders and parents if they themselves have not been given the opportunity of what it feels like to be loved and cared for?...

This is an incredible opportunity and may I just say how wonderful I feel — and the people feel – about what this incredible program will do for these children. God bless anybody out there who is really willing to put their heart and soul into this and to making it happen.”

Meet a Malawian Teacher

Alexander Justice Mkochi, age 30 is a teacher from Lilongwe, the capital city of Malawi, currently learning at the Spirituality for Kids Headquarters in Los Angeles. He is part of a team developing an empowerment curriculum to be taught to Malawi’s orphans at the soon to be opened Raising Malawi - Consol Homes Orphan Care Center.

Here are some things he has to say to the world:

“When I first heard about Raising Malawi I thought it was going to be a one-time thing like all the other relief organizations. But when I heard you are building an orphan care center that will be a channel to help the orphans and educate the people of Malawi, I felt it in my bones that this is exactly what we need for the development of my country.

Malawi is a difficult terrain that few people are willing to venture into. One of our biggest problems is a lot of our kids have no one to look after them - no parents or the means to support them. They end up in the streets with no one to take care of them. They need someone to guide them which I believe this program will be very helpful at doing. The Malawi nation will be growing as a whole through this process…

It’s hard growing up in Malawi amidst this poverty. I was lucky because my parents instilled in me the need to go to school because they themselves were orphans and went through hard times no human should have to experience. When they recounted the stories of what they went through, it gave me an image of why I need to go to school. In Malawi it means a lot if you go to school because it assures the problems you go through will be a minimum. School is everything.

I had friends that failed to go to school because they couldn’t even find food. Right now most of them have five kids and can’t even support them because they failed to go ahead with their education. I believe most of the kids who will be supported by Raising Malawi will develop their potential which will help with the development of my country.

I am so excited to teach them what I am learning. Actually, I am also excited for myself. You see, at first I thought I would learn stuff to help the kids but in the process I have learned so much about myself. I used to think I had to get everything for myself first and others second. But this experience has taught me that the more I share, the more I will get. And the easier it will be.

Most important of what I am learning is the core principle of these teachings which is to value human dignity and help others. In Malawi we believe in extended family. The principle of sharing is there already to an extent, but it mostly applies only to people related to you. But now I am learning that we are all connected - regardless of race, color, creed, or religion – and the world is one big extended family.”