Dear Supporters, Friends and Family,
We are one week into our journey and all has gone well. Yesterday, I traveled on foot, mini-bus, bicycle taxi,car taxi and matola (the back of a pickup) to reach local schools and confer with headmasters about student needs. Our experience here is compressed relative to last year, made all the more so by the fact that schools are closing down for the week after Easter. So time is of the essence.
I met many young people, most orphans, some with special needs, who were grateful for the offer of assistance with school fees. Today, I meet with the head of the PHC, the local social service agency, to get more candidates. Then over the weekend, we’ll make final decisions and award scholarships next week. This will entail a trip to the nearest National Bank in Karonga 70 km away near the Tanzanian border. Recall that Malawi had earthquake damage in the Karonga area last December, so we’re not sure what we’ll encounter there.
The craft shop has been closed awaiting new management. As I mentioned in our fundraising letter, the local unit of government has ruled that all proceeds there will go to orphan care so we’re eager to get things up and running in the near future there. A refrigerator has been purchased and Mary Ellen has arrived here with an armload of prototypes for craft projects that can be easily made by local people.
It has been an emotional time renewing friendships and recalling our total immersion in the community here last year. We’ve been welcomed by many and are reminded once again of the bonds that join us all around the world. Our time feels short here but we’re making the best of it. Happy Easter/springtime to all who read this.
Best,
Steve and Mary
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