Sponsor's update from Mzuzu, Malawi

Child sponsorship update from the SOS Children's Village Mzuzu, Malawi from Summer 2008.

2008 brought with it much rain and mild temperatures and so our sports grounds were wet and could seldom be used. However, the gardens flourished making the world look so pretty. Guavas, strawberries, peaches and papayas are abundant with our children arguing with the birds for a bite.

Now the Village is growing older and we have teenagers to keep happy and in line so, in February our Social Worker held an in-service training for our mums that covered danger on the roads, characteristics of a strong child, and problems faced by our children. This has helped our Mum’s more adequately coping with their growing children’s’ problems. Teenagers!!

Our 90 Nursery School tots really enjoyed the start of the year because birthday cakes were brought by the children to celebrate their birthdays at school. Then in March the children planted trees and went on nature walks to learn the importance of trees. The children planted maize for their gardening. The children loved getting dirty and it was difficult to keep them dry as they preferred pouring the water over themselves instead of on the newly sewn seeds. In May staff participated in Early Childhood Development training which included learning through play and another in June covered parents becoming aware of the Nursery School Manual. We are having such fun with our children and it is truly amazing to see them grow in all ways.

Growing up at Mzuzu, Malawi

Besides formal education for our 124 Primary School students, they are also taught sewing, needlecraft and mat making out of available resources. The Trolley Club, a radio-listening programme introduced by UNICEF, is a favourite amongst the older children. This programme educates our children on Children’s Rights and Life Skills. They love sitting and discussing the issues they’ve just listened to. It is not uncommon to hear quite a ruckus amongst the children after these radio shows. Seventeen of our children attend Secondary School and one is studying for her International Baccalaureate in Ghana. Linda will soon be home for her holidays and we can’t wait to hear her news and of course see her brilliant exam results!

The Social Centre continues to implement its FSP (Family Strengthening Programme) which strives to improve the lives of 2000 orphans and vulnerable children and their 821 families with education, career guidance and clothing. The Centre also supports 99 families with 426 children with top-up capital and training in business management. Bumper yields from their crops are expected because of the wonderful rains we’ve experienced this year.

We can’t wait until the harvest are in to see the families start to thrive and blossom in the hope of being able to educate their children and to live a more comfortable life.