Both Father and Mother Are Dead
A sudden, emergency trip to the lakeshore trading center of Nkhotokota resulted in three children from a family of 12 coming to Mtendere for care. The father and mother had both died, and her older sister had to get a job in order to attempt to care for the family. It fell to young Stella Banda to care for the others who were younger than herself, all 10 of them! She was only 8 years old at the time.
The rushed trip on that July day had taken place as a result of a request from the tribal authority in the area. They had become aware of the plight of the children who were destitute and living alone. Representatives from Mtendere picked up the three children who seemed to be in the worst condition of the 12 at the time. Stella and her sisters, Elana and Jannet came to Mtendere to live.
Today Stella is becoming both a beautiful, as well as a successful child as she progresses in her school studies and dreams of one day becoming a nurse.
Pictures show Stella shortly after her arrival at Blessings, the enjoying meal with American guests several months later.
The children of Mtendere Village are supported through contributions to the 100-X Missions Group in Montgomery, Alabama. For further information about assisting children at Mtendere contact http://100xmissions.org/