by admin | Sep 8, 2020 | BLOG
Need more proof that economic empowerment works? Read Samuel Chadza’s story, his own words.
“I and my wife were privileged to benefit from the goat pass-on program. The goat that we received gave birth to an offspring. When the offspring was weaned, we passed it on to another in need. Later our goat also gave birth to a second female offspring. Currently, we have two female goats which are both expected to give birth to offspring soon.
The ministry also assisted us with vegetable seeds, fertilizer, and chemicals. My goal from the profits was to buy a bicycle to ease travel challenges. Unfortunately, it was not achieved because the land that was chosen did not have enough water. I did manage to raise K15, 000 ($20) from the vegetable sales through which I was able to buy 2 ducks, 2 rabbits, and construct a corral for all the animals.
I also used part of the money to hire women to fetch water for me. I used the water to mold 10, 000 bricks. My expectation is that after firing the bricks and selling them, I will be able to use the money to purchase the bicycle I have been longing for.
All this has given me hope on how I will take care of my family. Previously I was only wondering around looking for work in the fields.”
Can you hear the pride in his words? Samuel is an entrepreneur. He has learned the art of business. He has learned that he can do more than work for a few pennies a day in the field of someone else. This is what economic empowerment does. It gives people self-esteem; it gives them hope.
by admin | Sep 8, 2020 | Economic Empowerment
What does economic empowerment mean? It means having the ability to determine your own future. It means not worrying about where your next meal will come from. It means being able to provide for your family. It means feeling value in yourself. It means you have hope.
Veronica is just 19 years old. She finished grade 9 before dropping out of school. It wasn’t that she couldn’t do the work, Veronica is very bright. She simply couldn’t afford the schools fees to continue attending. So, like 97% of other girls in Malawi she was forced out of high school and down a path that usually leads to marriage, children, and a life of back breaking work just to survive.
Then, unexpectedly, everything changed. Veronica was sponsored by someone in America. She started attending a local church, started reading the Bible and became a Christian. It’s not in Veronica’s nature to do anything halfway. She dove into being a Christian like learning to swim by diving into the deep end of a pool. She started participating in a local Youth Club, then began volunteering, before long she was even leading and teaching at a nearby Kids Club. Veronica was fast becoming a role model for other girls.
Although she was encouraged to return to school many times, Veronica didn’t seem to have an interest. Instead, she wanted to start her own business. She given use of a plot of land. That’s all it took, Veronica dove into the deep end again. This time planting rice. Her hard work is paying off.
With just some small financial assistance from Y-Malawi Veronica expects to have a good yield of rice that will provide significant profits. She has big dreams of planting even more and expanding, even to employ others. Now she is becoming even more than a role model. She is helping to feed her family, she is creating her own future, and she is benefiting her community.
Economic empowerment goes way beyond a handout, it offers a hand up. Veronica is living proof of how lives can be changed. Watch for more on this and how you can get involved as Y-Malawi launches a formal Economic Empowerment initiative over the next couple months.
by admin | Aug 26, 2020 | BLOG
Why do people go on Vision Trips to Malawi? The answer to that question can vary, but usually people go with the intent to help the poor people of Malawi. Often the thinking is that as Americans we can bring knowledge, resources, determination, and encouragement to help the Malawians who have so little. The truth is that people who go with those thoughts in mind most often come back with a completely different viewpoint.
It is true that during Vision Trips we minister to the people of Malawi, but it is just as true that they minister to us. Vision Trips are about experiencing a different culture, land, and people far from the United States. Yet the experience is primarily about relationships. Trip participants spend time and get close with the people of Malawi. We share life. We talk, laugh, sometimes cry, pray, and worship together. At a certain level we become family. The experience is life changing. Trip participants often tell us they have maintained relationships with those they met in Africa for years.
Participants tell us over and over again how they went to Malawi to help those in need, but they returned having been helped themselves. It is hard to explain, but the people of Malawi are filled with an infectious joy for life rarely seen in the United States. There is much we can learn from the people of Malawi about living a life of joy. Most of those we visit have so little materially, yet they have so much of what many of us lack. People come back from Vision Trips with a new perspective on life. The experience gives them new eyes to see the world differently. You might say they return with their eyes wide open.
So, are you ready to go? Now is the time to begin planning for 2021. We have 6 trips planned so far. There is no deposit required to register, so pick one and reserve your spot now. Once registered we even have tools to help you with fundraising!
- Spring Vision Trip – May 15 – 25
- Pastors Vision Trip – May 29 – June 12 (Not a Pastor? You can register too!)
- Azuza Pacific University – Sorry this is a closed trip
- Whittier Area Community Church – Sorry this is a closed trip
- Summer Vision Trip – July10 – 24
- Later Summer Vision Trip – July 24 – 7 August
Click here to learn more about Vision Trips and/or register
by admin | Aug 25, 2020 | BLOG
Can you imagine your bed being a dirt floor? What if the roof of your home was made of grass and so that spiders and other pests lived just above your head? What if that same grass roof failed to keep water off of you at night while you tried to sleep on that dirt floor bed? Then what if your home had no windows or doors, just some sheets draped over those openings? Would you feel safe from animals, pests and anyone or things that might want to do you harm?
These conditions are a reality to the vast majority of those living in the village in Malawi. The really incredible thing to consider is that having a nice roof, or a good home doesn’t cost that much by American standards. A new tin roof costs about $500, a completely new home only about $1,000. It’s a small investment that can change someone’s life in a dramatically positive way.
Over recent months, Y-Malawi and those sponsoring women and girls have provided funds to build nearly a dozen new homes and roofs for those living in the worst possible conditions. Talk about life changing!
From Veronica, “I am on top of the world, I am today very happy to see things that I never dream of seeing. I have never thought of having a house with the iron sheet roof. May the Lord bless Y-Malawi, may the Lord bless Felix for thinking of me, glory to God!”
From Aisha, “I cannot believe that at my age I will now have a house of my own. I am more grateful to God and Y-Malawi than I can express. It is a miracle.”
From Mdana, “I did not know what it was like to sleep in a good house. May God bless you for what you have done to me!”
Want to help someone have a decent place to call home? Just use the link below. Before you finish the donation, you will have an option to leave us a note. If you want the donation to go to a specific person or need, just let us know. If you have further questions send us an email at information@y-malawi.org
Click here to give a one-time special gift
by admin | Aug 25, 2020 | BLOG
In the community of Chilenje, Wednesday is a day of passion. Not the kind of physical passion that we often see held in high esteem in movies and books. In Chilenje, Wednesday is a day of genuine passion for others. The kind of passion Jesus demonstrated when he spent time with and loved people that the world so easily discards. Jesus cared for widows, orphans, the disabled, the vulnerable and those often marginalized by the main-stream of society. He lived his love for them by listening, sharing, and healing.
Since 2017 people have been coming every Wednesday to a shelter built in Chilenje by Y-Malwai Chiefs Ministry. In total more than 5,000 have attended. They come to sing, dance and worship. They study the Bible, they pray, and they share stories of how God has done miracles in their lives. They are those most in need. Yes, they are widows, the disabled, orphans and those with out resources. Yet, Wednesday has become their day of hope.
They leave on Wednesday with a new passion for life. Some Wednesdays they receive care packages to help them survive. Some have received prayer even healing. Everyone receives the knowledge that they are not alone, that they are loved, and most importantly that God loves them.
Jesus had a passion for others. In Mark 12:31 He said that one of the most important things we can do in this life is to “Love your neighbor as yourself.” In Chilenje, the Chiefs Ministry is doing just that. Loving others with a passion.
Click here to learn more about Y-Malawi
