Lilongwe, Malawi … Etched across her forehead, and carved in deep valleys under her eyes, one need only to look at the face of Zione Thaulo to see the anguish and misery many are suffering. The village chief where she lives, Wiseman Kam’gaga, explains the situation, “Hunger is increasing in the village and people are starving to death. We recently lost three elderly people who were coming to us for help.”
Zione comes from the village where the chief lives. She is a grandmother and cares for three grandchildren. Similar situations can be seen all over Malawi. Parents have died of HIV/Aids, Malaria, TB, Covid 19, and other illnesses, leaving their children to be cared for by “Gogos” or grandmothers. At a time when these elderly family members need help themselves to cultivate their fields and provide for their old age, they must struggle to care for 3, 4, or even 5 school-age children. School fees alone are enough to sink many families into the abyss of inability. Zione is a classic example of not being able to cope. She tells how her grandchildren must scour bins behind stores in the trading center to find enough food leftovers to survive each day.
The team from Action for Progress observed that the chief is setting a good example. He volunteers to help serve the community through the Chisomo Orphanages and Elderly organization. But the best of intentions does not always help people survive when there is just not enough food to go around. This is the situation along Michinji Road west of Lilongwe.
Thanks to the generous assistance from contributors in the west the team from Action for Progress arrived with more than just good intentions. They arrived with food and clothing for the needy. Because of that support Gogo Thaulo, and her grandchildren, won’t go hungry today.
If you want to help supply food to those in need you can program a contribution through this website at: https://www.malawiproject.org/donate/ or send a check to: Malawi Project, 2421 Golfside Drive, Lebanon, Indiana 46052.
