Fainess looked embarrassed when I asked her what she would like to do after completing secondary school. She took a long time to answer, apparently thinking about this question for the first time in her life. Finally she said she would like to work in an office. No particular office, it seems, just anyplace that gets her away from living the life of a subsistence farmer. Fainess’ father died when she was very young, and her mother does all that she can to support Fainess and the four other children who are still at home. She has just finished primary school, where her favorite subjects were English and math, and where she enjoyed playing netball during her free time. Fainess is now attending her first year of secondary school, with funding provided through Kindle
When anyone starts learning Chichewa, one of the first phrases learned is “pang’ono pang’ono.” It means little by little. In the past week, I have heard this phrase when talking about my children adjusting to life back in Lilongwe, when discussing language learning, and when talking about the work that needs to be done on our house. It is a handy and encouraging phrase in Malawi where change occurs slowly. Continue reading “Piles of Poop”
Yesterday afternoon I had to do one of the most difficult things I’ve ever done, turning away an orphaned boy with legitimate needs. It was heartbreaking to see the hope fade from his face as I explained that we weren’t able to help pay his school fees because of a lack of funds. Continue reading “Education at Kindle”
My all-time favorite name for a shop in Malawi is “If You Don’t Have Money Don’t Bother Me Welding Shop.” Another favorite is the “99% God’s Plan” used clothing store. I asked the store owner what the other 1% is, and she replied that it’s her hard work.
Some store names are open to misinterpretation, especially for people like me who lack socio-linguistic background. Continue reading “Fun Signs”
While our family was boarding a British Airways flight from Chicago to London on our way to Malawi, a band of ten thieves were jumping the wall of Kindle Orphan Outreach’s Central Office, beating and tying up the two guards, and starting to smash their way through our burglar bars. Continue reading “Treasures on Earth”
We arrived yesterday at the Lilongwe airport, where three of our colleagues helped us get safely back to our home on the farm. Our luggage also made it, after a bit of a misadventure. I must say that the story of our luggage is a bit embarrassing, but it should probably be told: Continue reading “Back in Malawi, With Only One Misadventure”
These children are celebrating in a childcare center that is run by women in their village. They have just moved into a new building Kindle helped to fund after the women made the bricks and paid for the bricklayers. An excellent example of development: coming alongside our brothers and sisters who are working hard to do something positive for their community.
Food aid was distributed to families whose crops failed due to drought: a relief effort that did not depend on the recipients’ work.
Joyce Banda, the President of Malawi, spoke to the UN General Assembly earlier this year. Reading what she has to say is an encouraging reminder of why we do what we are doing in Malawi. Two of the things that Kindle focuses on are affordable health care for everyone in our area and making it possible for orphans and vulnerable children to attend secondary school. President Banda mentions these two things as key needs in Malawi.
Read what she has to say here on CNN.com.
Yesterday we bade farewell to three women who were here working us for the last six weeks. One of the things that they did for us was to put together this video about Kindle Orphan Outreach:
Thank you, Callie, Kelsey, and Megan!
The Stockers' Stories 