Blantyre, Malawi … The teen years are especially difficult for young people in Malawi. There is critical unemployment, few growth opportunities, family food shortages, educational shortfalls, serious health issues, and the need for young people to assist their families in earning enough money to survive. However, as food distribution in southern Malawi got underway the young people from the Red Cross church in Blantyre stepped up to set an example.
Rather than looking for part-time work, lounging around their homes, or spending time with their friends several young people from the church teamed up with adults from the Red Cross church for food distribution.
Traveling to the affected areas this group of teens spent the day helping unload and distribute food.
Speaking at the distribution program, the board chairperson for Action for Progress, church elder Chester Kabinda-Mbewe, applauded the young people for their teamwork. “This is exceptional and important. We need more youth who will dedicate their time and sweat to helping in times of need like this. May God bless you all, and may you continue doing the will of God.”
The Executive Director of Action for Progress, Wilson Tembo, also applauded the young people for their good work in the Machinga District. He said, “I know you left important tasks at home so you could travel such a long distance from Blantyre to help in this program in Machinga. I do not take this for granted. Surely, this is what we want from young people in the churches. They should lead by example.”
For every $1,000 donated to the Malawi Project, a total of 468 people can be fed for a week. Estimates indicate that 5.7 million are suffering from food shortages, and this will continue to grow worse between now and the beginning of the harvest season in April. Send contributions to: Malawi Project, 2421 Golfside Dr., Lebanon, IN 46052, or go to malawiproject.org/donate