Villages in Partnership

Fighting Poverty in Malawi

Journal

Gratitude for Friendship – by Kelsey Carroll

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Kelsey Carroll recently embarked on a journey to Malawi, Africa, on a Friendship Trip. Her immersive experience allowed her to witness the incredible warmth of Malawian hospitality and the resilience of its people through profound connections forged during her trip.

After a morning of praise and thanksgiving at church celebrating Paper Sunday (a day where the congregation brings their offerings to the Lord to help finish building the roof of the church), we enjoyed a lunch of chicken, cabbage relish, and either rice or nsima (a thick maize paste, sort of like thicker grits). I was schooled in how to properly eat nsima – first, you need to take a large enough scoop and then you roll than in the palm of your hand to create a smooth ball and press that into a patty. Then you use that to scoop up the sides – the perfect vessel to sop up the sauce from the relish and chicken.

We wrapped up lunch and met our partner sisters and translators whom we would be spending the week with. I was filled with deep joy meeting my sister, Lexa Haward, and our translator, Amanda. I was so excited to spend our days together. After a quick introduction, we bid farewell until the next day and were off to our home visits.

We visited an agogo (grandmother) Adaima Nkomera who is deeply plagued – her home was struck by the recent cyclone and the entire back of the home had crumbled in the storm. Along with her daughter and seven grandchildren, they live in a two-, what was once a three-room home prior to the storm. One room is for sleeping and one is for cooking. The agogo is paralyzed on one side of her body due to a stroke and relies on her daughter to carry her from place to place. The strength that this household of women possesses is beyond measure.

We then visited a beneficiary of VIP’s programming – Mr. Ndaona who is a farmer and beekeeper and has had great success implementing the new farming practices he has learned through VIP. His home was painted and had multiple rooms, a secure roof, and rooms that were filled with his harvest. One room was for ground nuts and two rooms were filled with maize – it was abundant. We presented both families with bags of maize, a blanket, soap, and cooking oil. And Farmer Ndaona shared his harvest of ground nuts which we cracked into on the ride home.

Kelsey (bottom-right) and 3 other visitors to Malawi ride in the back of a truck with Violet (bottom-left)

Traveling to and from our home visits we rode standing in the back of a pickup truck – holding onto the roof, Jack and Rose style from Titanic, with one person close to the roof and the other wrapped around the first to keep one another sturdy and upright. Every now and then the truck would slow down enough to warn us of upcoming branches so we could duck into the bed of the truck and reemerge when the coast was clear.

My new friend and VIP staff member, Violet taught Jordan, Tory, Crystal, and me songs in Chichewa, the Malawian national language, and we shared some of our favorite call-and-response songs with her like “This Is The Day That The Lord Has Made.” And of course, “My Heart Will Go On” from Titanic – the moment called for it! Singing songs of praise, looking at the sun dropping lower and lower in the sky with the Zomba Plateau in the distance, squished up against new friends, bumping up and down along the dirt road, and feeling the heavenly Holy Spirit breeze through my hair, I felt an otherworldly feeling of gratitude for friendship, togetherness, and Presence.

To learn more about visiting Malawi yourself, check out the latest Friendship Trip and Medical Trip dates here.

Cash Crops: Solar Irrigation Systems are Creating Opportunities

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Malawian farmer celebrating his onion cash crops.

For the first year, Malawian farmers in VIP’s partner villages are making significant profits. For those who are unaware of the seasonal split in Malawi, this is an unusual time for harvest. The rainy season ended back in March 2022 and they have not received rain since. However, these farmers are able to grow crops, even during the dry season because of the Solar Irrigation System put into place 3 years ago with the support of the VIP family. 

It takes time for people to learn and adapt new strategies. The first year after installation of the Solar Irrigation Systems, all farmers insisted on growing maize because that is their staple food and they wanted to supplement their household needs.

Malawian farmers harvesting their cash crops.

The second year, after VIP offered agribusiness training and exposure to farmers from other areas of the country, who grow cash crops, several of the farmers took a risk and grew tomatoes and watermelons. They made huge profits and their success convinced all the farmers to grow cash crops!

This year, 100% of the farmers grew cash crops such as watermelons, tomatoes and onions. The profits enable them not only to purchase supplemental maize and other household needs but to make asset investments; investing in livestock that will multiply and be sold in the future, purchasing bicycles that will be used for bike taxis and water pumps to use on fields near a stream, these farmers are investing in their futures. The Solar Irrigation Systems that the VIP family helped to fund are creating opportunities for our brothers and sisters in Malawi! Our most recent Friendship Team had the blessing of participating in the harvest and loading the truck to go to market.

Friendship Team helping to harvest and load the cash crops to go to market.
Children eating harvested watermelons.

Deirdre Ryan: A Symbol of Gratitude

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Deirdre Ryan has been a VIP volunteer for over a decade including attending a trip to Malawi in 2011. Her years of volunteering have been spent serving on numerous committees, helping to organize events, and writing Thank You letters. Whether you know Deirdre personally or not, many of you have received one of her renowned Thank You letters. For years VIP staff have heard praise from recipients of her letters raving about how touched they were to receive a personal, handwritten Thank You note. If you have ever been the recipient of one of her letters then you know how truly touching each one is. She puts thought into personalizing every note to highlight how important each recipient is to VIP.

Deirdre Ryan is volunteering at VIP's 2022 Water Walk.
Deirdre volunteering at VIP’s 2022 Water Walk.

What is just as touching as her letters, is the story behind how she became a volunteer Thank You writer. Deidre writes all of her Thank You letters at a desk that was once her father’s and was built by her grandfather. After her father passed away in 2003, she had the desk shipped from England to the U.S. When asked about her father Deirdre said “My Father was a great person, a soldier who fought in France and Germany throughout the Second World War and liberated Bergen Belsen concentration camp, he loved God and his fellow mankind”.

Deirdre’s father’s desk that she writes VIP Thank You notes at.

With her fondness for her father in mind, she decided the desk would be a perfect place to keep all of her VIP Thank You items. She expressed that her father would be so happy to know his desk was being used in such a meaningful way. 

Deirdre’s process for writing Thank You notes is heartwarming. She first sits at her father’s desk and prays before she starts her writing. She admitted that she never writes more than seven letters a day. This way each letter keeps its personal touch. She has also kept a template of every Thank you note that she’s written at the desk.

The desk will always be a reminder of her father, but it also symbolizes the meaningful relationships that are made, and the lives that are touched with the help of volunteers like Deirdre. A desk that keeps her connected with her father, has helped her connect with and touch so many lives among our VIP family. To the VIP family, Deidre and her Thank You letters have become a symbol of gratitude. She represents how every person’s contributions are helping to build God’s kingdom among our brothers and sisters in Malawi as long as we have never-ending hope.

Worldwide Logistics Group Devoted To Partnership With VIP

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By Beth Cohen and Jordan Heinzel-Nelson

Bob Kloss (left) and Grant Stiles (right) work with Boy Scout Emmanuel of troop 53 (center) to load bee hives into the warehouse where WorldWide Logistics will store them until shipment

Worldwide Logistics Group (WWL), a global logistics and supply chain management company, will donate warehouse and shipping services to help support Villages in Partnership (VIP). VIP is an organization whose mission is to help impoverished villages in Sakata, Malawi. As VIP continues to secure much needed supplies for Malawi, WWL will receive, store, pack and ship the donations. Upon arrival, WWL’s agent will arrange custom clearance and delivery of items to various Malawian villages.

Worldwide Logistics Group will collect and process donated supplies using their warehouse in Cranberry, New Jersey. They will containerize and move items by ocean when they receive all donations.   

“We are passionate about moving goods around the world, but when we can be part of shipping resources to Malawi, it takes our passion to the next level,” said John Rapczak, general manager of NTDS and the WWL warehouse in Cranbury, New Jersey. “This endeavor is very meaningful to every employee involved.”

How Partnering with WWL is Improving VIP’s Outreach

VIP’s beekeepers sent the first items donated, beekeeping equipment, that will arrive at the WWL warehouse this week. The equipment will aid a group of Malawian beekeepers who harvest the honey and sell it. It will also assist a group of Malawian women who have started a beeswax candle company with help from Villages in Partnership.

Villages in Partnership has a unique outreach approach. They work with villagers to understand their needs. Next, they mobilize support in the West to provide resources and expertise. The entire village works with Villages in Partnership to build a solution and when the project is complete, the villagers take ownership. Each project helps build an entire community.

“We are excited to see the fruits of this partnership,” said Liz Heinzel-Nelson, Executive Director of VIP. “For years we have dreamed of sending supplies over to Malawi to help propel these projects forward. The partnership with WWL has made these dreams a reality.”

Other possible donations expected are hospital beds, medical equipment, microscopes to fill High School science labs and books.

“Once we receive all the expected donations, we will get them containerized and moving as quickly as possible.  We’re excited to be involved in this project” Mr. Rapczak said.

In addition to the shipping support, WWL has sponsored VIP in their annual Water Walk fundraiser. This year, the Water Walk raised over $360,000 through the help of sponsoring businesses like WWL.

If you are interested in providing resources, please contact Ms. Heinzel-Nelson at liz.hn@villagesinpartnership.org

Overcoming Challenges – By Roseline Nambazo

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My name is Roseline Nambazo from Teputepu Village. I am a student at the Malawi College of Medicine studying to earn a bachelor’s degree in the medicine of surgery. As a girl raised in the village, my life has been difficult as far as school is concerned. In my community, people believe that girls do not have to go to school to be successful. They consider household chores like collecting water, firewood, and going to the farms to be more important. These chores made it very hard for me to concentrate on my education because I did not have enough time to study. On top of that, there was no encouragement from my family at all. 

Despite all the challenges, I continued to work very hard and was accepted into a national secondary school. I was able to live at this secondary school, allowing me to focus on studying instead of chores. Living at the school helped but challenges were still there, especially with finances. My father struggled to pay for my school fees. At one point, I was even sent home due to the unmet payments. Luckily enough, I was able to graduate from secondary school. I worked with the mindset that challenges are what make life interesting, overcoming them is what makes life meaningful. All my hard work paid off. I was the top scholar that year and received the Malawi School Certificate Of Education.

My academic performance allowed more doors to open from other institutions for college. Unfortunately, with little resources, I was unable to do this on my own. I thought it would be wise to ask for help from Villages in Partnership and by God’s grace, I was considered to be one of the students selected for a scholarship. I do not take it for granted. Today, I am studying to become a doctor thanks to the love from VIP. 

I extend my gratitude to the VIP family. May God continue blessing you so that you may bless others through the help of God’s power “For nothing is impossible with God.” – Luke 1:37. 

You can make more futures possible! Click here to learn how you can help. 

Making Dreams a Reality – By Cydney Chikalema

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My name is Cydney Chikalema from Kalupe Village in Malawi, Africa. I am the second born in a family of now only two, me and my brother. My life was not easy when I was growing up. Raised by a single mother, we were 3 children. It was difficult to get by. We depended on small scale farming for our main food source. My life got even worse when we lost our mother. I was 8 years old. This meant we had to support ourselves for everyday survival. Then, my younger sister Judith got weak and died. The loss of her crushed me. Unfortunately, my story is common for many people living in my village community. Thanks to VIP, my life has completely changed.

Villages in Partnership helped me become who I am today. They found me literary with nothing. I could not speak English and I was in primary school standard 4 (4th grade). VIP really cared and took an interest in me. Through the support of the VIP Family, I was able to go to school where I learned how to speak and read English. I continued with my education to high school with VIP still giving me full support. After high school, I was picked to study at college with VIP still by my side!

I am now studying Mass Communication and Minoring in Biblical Studies at African Bible College in Malawi. VIP is making my dreams a reality! I am the first one from my household to attend college. I am learning so much from my school that I look forward to using in the future. I hope to start the Film Making industry in Malawi and beyond. Also, to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. When I graduate from African Bible College, I am hoping to work with VIP for some time while I apply to schools to earn a Master’s Degree in Leadership Development, if the opportunity arises.

I am so grateful for everything that our friends from the USA are doing through VIP in my country, Malawi, and in particular, in my village community. I wish them well and more blessings. I would like to let them know that their support brings real change and it means so much to us. We are able to attend school, have access to clean water, become economically empowered, have access to healthcare and so much more because of your support. Thank you so much! Join us on Giving Tuesday to make more stories like mine possible! Click here to learn how you can help.

Prayers for the Hungry Season- By Liz Heinzel-Nelson

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Malawians don’t call their seasons Spring, Summer, Fall, or Winter. They use descriptive words like Rainy Season, Cold Season, and Hungry Season. This time of year is often referred to as the lean, or hungry season. Many people have depleted their harvest from last year and their next harvest will not come in until March and April. 

Now is the time of year when people are waiting for the rains to come. It is hot and steamy! Work begins at 3 or 4 AM. By noon, the sun is unbearable. Early in the morning, people are found in their fields preparing the ground to plant. It is back-breaking work and the fields look never-ending. Once the heavy rains begin to fall, they plant.

Since people have finished last year’s harvest and there is little to eat, we sometimes see people reaching into their mango trees, knocking down the fruit, even before it is ripe, so that they can boil the mangos and provide food for their families. Deforestation is a huge problem in Malawi because wood is used for cooking. The Mango tree, however, remains standing because this tree does something other trees cannot, “Nthetsa njala”, chases hunger away or provides a cushion to hunger. As Wellings Mwalabu, VIP’s Country Director, explains it is a coping mechanism that people use to get through the hungry times. 

Please keep our brothers and sisters in your prayers as they move through the hungry season. Let’s pray for solid, steady rains this season that provides for full harvests.

God’s Timing in the Villages – By Liz Heinzel-Nelson

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The land cruiser bounced over the dusty roads, jostling Violet and me as we drove into the hazy morning sky covering the villages. We picked up Heswick, an orphan who was identified by our Malawian staff members as vulnerable, to take him to the clinic to have his wound redressed. The clinic asked us to bring more wound care supplies since they were out. 

The nurse who regularly dresses Heswick’s wound gently stripped off the old bandages and carefully washed the wound. There were some granules around the edge of the wound and I asked what they were. “That’s sugar,” the nurse informed me. “We like to use honey because honey keeps the scar tissue from hardening, but we don’t have honey so we use sugar.” Not certain that sugar is a good substitute but “I have honey. I just bought honey from the VIP Beekeepers’ Cooperative. Would you like to use my honey?” Vi ran to the car and brought in the unopened bottle of golden salve. Who knew? Yet another wonder of honey.

The wound is healing, the bandage is changed. We were right on time for my meeting with the VIP staff. We all got into the land cruiser when Vi came around and poked her head in my window. “Amayi, they want to see you inside.” I followed Vi into the maternity ward. There was a mother trying to get her 2-week-old to nurse but the infant child lay in her mother’s arms struggling to breathe. The nurse asked if we would rush the mom and baby to Zomba Central Hospital since this kind of case is beyond their capabilities. 

I wove over and around unavoidable bumps along the dusty roads, occasionally hearing a groan from the back as we hit a big one. We arrived at the hospital and escorted them to the entrance where a nurse took them to the infant’s ward. As we jumped back into the Land Cruiser to head to the meeting, now an hour late, I asked Vi, if we had not been there that morning, what would have happened to that baby? She quietly answered, that’s when death comes. Everyone understands here when you arrive late. Things happen in Malawi. 

Our Faith Can Move Mountains – By Molly Babb

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There are no words to describe the feeling of exhaustion at the end of a long day of clinic or bouncing down the bumpy dirt roads in the back of a truck, or playing soccer in the hot sun, or worshipping at church in Chichewa, or sitting on straw mats in a village. There are no words to describe much of life in Malawi. The poverty is incomprehensible unless you’ve seen it firsthand. The sense of community in a people rich in their faith is hard to imagine. But as we sit in church, voices lifted in praise in both Chichewa & English, there is no doubt that our shared faith can move mountains, that we serve a God bigger than the disparities between us. There are no words to describe showing up to the clinic at 8 AM and seeing 200-plus people sitting there waiting, knowing some of them walked hours to be there.

It can be overwhelming to begin the task of seeing each of them, along with another 400, in a somewhat organized manner by the end of the day. There are also no words for the sweetest of moments in the midst of the chaos & feelings of inadequacy. For close to 2 years I’ve heard about Juliet- a girl with spina bifida that VIP was able to bring a wheelchair to several years ago. This year, in the midst of a busy day at the clinic, Lucy pulled me aside and introduced me to Juliet. A smiling girl now in her teens greeted me, dressed in her school uniform. She and her mother had come by to say hello! What a privilege and joy it was to meet her, to see the way her life has changed because of the work VIP is doing. 

Similarly, I held a boy with cerebral palsy as his older sister was seen by a clinician, and pondered the burden his sister faces as she must carry him everywhere. Despite this, the joy on both of their faces was unparalleled. I found out that his name is Blessings, and was instantly moved to tears. We were able to bring a wheelchair for him the next day, and the weight that was lifted off his sister’s shoulders, both literally and figuratively, was visible. Cue the tears again. It is moments like these where there really are no words to describe seeing Jesus here on earth. He shows up, on the dusty roads, in a busy clinic, on the face of a smiling child or a relieved sister, and in all of our lives. Leaving Malawi grateful and humbled, with the reminder to seek Jesus, even in these uncertain times. 

My Heart is Changed for the Better – By Abby Huston

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This trip to Africa has been one of the absolute best experiences of my life. I feel so blessed that I was able to use my nursing skills to serve the people of Malawi and meet amazing, life long friends along the way. There is really no way to fully describe Malawi, the villages we serve, and the Malawian nurses and doctors we work alongside, but I can say that you will leave Malawi a different person than you were before you came. This trip has changed my heart for the better and I am forever grateful for this incredible experience. 

The Warm Heart of Africa – By Jaclyn Maushart

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Going to Malawi with VIP and the medical team has absolutely changed my life forever. I can say first hand that the amount of love the Malawians have for each other and us is truly amazing. I now see why this country is called “the warm heart of Africa”. This trip had a few changes, but we always knew that God would provide and have a plan. With our trust in Him and each other, everything went way better than I could have ever expected. I made so many friends with both the American medical team and the Malawian staff members.

The Malawian translators were amazing at being our voices for the week. They were always willing to teach us their language (Chichewa) so that we could speak to the patients in the clinics. Seeing the smile on the faces of our patients when we spoke their language absolutely warmed my heart. The amount of impact this trip has had on my life cannot be put into words and I am truly grateful for VIP and the entire village community. 

My New Malawian Friends – By Erin Joyce

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We are created the same, yet somehow by a unique set of circumstances, we survive differently. I met a culture of people born into poverty with unimaginable suffering in Malawi, Africa. They are brilliant and happy and kind and beautiful. Their resilience and ability to laugh drew me to them, and their suffering is what made me want to stay to give them the aid they need and deserve.

VIP gave me the opportunity to emerge myself in this population for a week. Although I was able to provide care to thousands of people, the return on my time was much more valuable. I learned how the Malawian people thrive despite their difficult circumstances. I also learned how to go home and live differently because of my new Malawian friends. 

Mkumbira Village Borehole – By Kathleen Grant, RN

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I first learned of Villages in Partnership in October of 2019. I had the honor of giving Mr. Mwalabu and his team of VIP Malawian Staff a tour of St. Luke’s Hospital located in Allentown, Pennsylvania. As we walked around the hospital, which I have worked for 8 years, I watched as the eyes of our Malawian visitors widened. One never realizes the extent of their fortune until faced with the misfortune of others. The Malawian team was in awe with the resources at our fingertips. As I listened to them discuss VIP’s mission this overwhelming feeling of the need to help took over my body. I decided at that moment I would join the March Medical Trip.

Laura RN, Erin CRNP, and myself RN, took to our own mission before our trip to Malawi. We as a group decided to fundraise enough money to purchase a well for a village in Malawi. Over the course of two months with help from our hospital, church, high school, family, and friends we raised the $6,800.  Fast forward to March 8th, present-day Malawi. 24 American volunteers stood around a well “borehole” in the village of Mkumbira surrounded by Malawian villagers.

We learned of the well’s accomplishments. They are 45meters deep and serve 75 families with clean water. That clean water can last upwards of 20-40 years with the proper care and preservation of the villagers! As we all gathered to witness this profound blessing, a woman was asked how the well has changed her life. “I used to walk over an hour one way for water. Due to my age and health, I could no longer travel the long distance. This well has given our village such happiness.” Alinafe Nwenye. Her eyes, her happiness, her well being made our mission complete.

Conservation Agriculture Field Day – By David Specca

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On Wednesday, March 4th, I traveled with Wellings Mwalabu to the village of Disi to attend the Conservation Agriculture Field Day that was organized by VIP, for Disi Village and the surrounding villages. The purpose of Field Day is to give farmers the opportunity to see first-hand sustainable practices being used and to ask the farmers who did the practice questions that only a person who has had the first-hand experience could answer.  This is a very effective way to educate farmers about new technologies and a practice that is commonly used in the US as well.  

Upon our arrival, a welcoming team of drummers, dancers, and singers greeted and escorted us to the meeting.  It became obvious right away, that this was much more than your average field day, this was the celebration of the people and practices that puts food on their tables. After the introduction of many local village Chiefs, the demonstrations began in earnest.  I would estimate that approximately 200 people participated in the tours. There were demonstrations of composting, conservation tillage – where plant residue is left on the soil surface to protect the soil and retain moisture, minimum tillage techniques to reduce soil disturbance, new maize variety trials, groundnut (peanut) certified seed production to reduce disease problems, and instructions on how to collect plant samples for a local office of the Malawian Ministry of Agriculture for plant disease diagnostics. Interestingly, I had organized a workshop in New Jersey in late February on cover crops, and many of the practices covered in the field day were the same as in my workshop. This is a credit to the VIP staff for staying abreast of emerging sustainable agriculture practices and promoting them in Malawi.

After the demonstration tour, we returned under the beautiful shade tree that graces the center of the village where the celebration of agriculture and life continued. There was a humorous skit, intended for educational entertainment, where a farm family was planting maize. The wife wanted to use conservation practices and the husband didn’t want any part of it. I did not understand what they said, but I could tell the outcome because they ended up following her wishes. Then more dancing and singing and celebration pursued. There was a time for the VIP staff to say a few things about the importance of this field day and the Chief of Disi gave a very inspiring speech. While I didn’t understand what she said, she was very convincing, because there were lots of heads nodding and clapping. I was given an opportunity to address the group and sent greetings from my village in NJ (yes, it is called Jacksonville) to the villages of Malawi.  

I shared that there is a common bond between all farmers around the world and I felt very welcome here. Also, even though many of us had been taught how to farm by our parents and grandparents, and have become set in our ways, we needed to consider new practices, especially those that will help ensure that our children and grandchildren can continue this noble cause of putting food on our tables and those of our neighbors through God’s blessing. I would also like to convey special congratulations to Liz Heinzel-Nelson, Wellings Mwalabu, Frank Mwenjemeka, and Laston for their successful field day, well done!

Goat Drive for Malawi – By Grace Nemec

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On a beautiful August afternoon during my Friendship Trip in Malawi, I traveled to a village for a goat deworming and goat pass-on ceremony. After this life-changing afternoon, I came home with a determination to tell my story and share my experiences. At my school, I am the head of the Hearts for Africa Club and my club is holding a Goat Drive this month. Instead of a Winter Coat Drive, we are holding a Winter Goat Drive which raises money to buy goats for the people in the villages. Since eighth grade, I worked with various organizations on the issues of poverty and food insecurity on a domestic and international level. Villages in Partnership is dedicated to helping Malawians who struggle with poverty, and a goat is one way for a family or individual to break from their cycle of poverty. A goat can provide economic stability and nutrition, which are both essential in order to become self-sufficient. Thus, I decided to hold a Goat Drive and all of the proceeds will go towards buying goats for vulnerable families in Malawi.

I became involved with Villages in Partnership two years ago, when Tory Huchro and her family spoke to me about her involvement. I soon became involved, and this past summer I had the opportunity to go to Malawi. While in Malawi, I was able to participate in a goat deworming and goat pass-on ceremony where I saw the value of a goat first-hand. The deworming medication is offered for less than 40 cents, which can ensure that the goat will remain healthy and continue to provide for the family. The children and their families came to the goat deworming site to make sure their goat can continue to support their family and economic needs.

VIP’s Malawian staff members gathered everyone around as me and the other team members filled up syringes with the appropriate amount of medicine. Then, with the help of VIP’s staff, the goat owners, and the local committee members, each goat was given the medicine orally. Similarly, I was able to participate in a goat pass-on ceremony. This is when a vulnerable family cares for that goat and when it has its first kid, they pass the kid on to another vulnerable family. After, the family is free to make money selling the subsequent offspring to markets and other villagers. The families that receive the “passed-on” goats from their neighbors follow the same course, and slowly but surely the gift of one goat from one donor multiplies and spreads throughout an entire village.

All in all, a goat means so much to a family in Malawi and I saw first-hand the short term and long term benefits. They are one of the primary sources of animal protein for the villagers and the sale of goats is a significant source of supplementary income for many of the farmers as well. The cost of a goat is $50, but in reality, it is worth so much more. A goat gives us the opportunity to transform the lives of many families and provide hope for a brighter future. Click here to give the gift of a goat!

Saving in the Villages – By Liz Heinzel-Nelson

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“Food secure” is a term we don’t hear in America. It means that a family has enough food to last until the next harvest; they’re not concerned about where their next meal will come. In VIP’s Impact Area, where all people are subsistence farmers, I’ve never heard anyone say they are food secure. Until this summer. I heard it, on multiple occasions. And I’ve realized our approach to helping people lift themselves out of poverty is bearing significant fruit!

We met with a group of 20 women who belong to a Village Savings and Loan program. They have been able to start small businesses through saving and lending to one another. All of them sat on the bamboo mat, explaining to a group of VIP visitors and proudly told us that they are food secure, they don’t worry. One woman said that many people this year are crying from hunger because of the heavy rains which destroyed crops this past growing season. None of these women are crying from hunger, they are food secure.

This is one of the healthiest comments we can hear. It means that the many varied VIP initiatives are collectively working to enable people to lift themselves out of extreme poverty and become independent. Thanks to all of you who have supported our brothers and sisters in the region of Sakata. Life is changing! We are seeing and hearing miracles!

A Bright Green Field – By Liz Heinzel-Nelson

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The sun was rising over the flat Sakata region as I rocked back and forth in the Land Cruiser, swerving to avoid bumps and pot holes on the dusty roads winding through the villages. Wellings Mwalabu and I were heading to meet the TA, Traditional Authority, chief of chiefs to discuss the construction of the secondary school. This is the dry season and dust hangs in the air. Everything is dry, brown and brittle.

As we pass VIP’s solar irrigation field, a sudden bright green opens along the dusty road. There, in the fields, VIP farmers were already at work in their designated plots of land, irrigating, weeding, spreading compost, and covering crops with maize stalks to preserve moisture.  I pulled to the side of the road to get out and hear updates from the farmers. Always greeted with waves, smiles and warmth, each one shared how well this year of irrigation is going.

They have diversified their crops, growing tomatoes, onions, maize and they expect high yields. One told me that last year she was able to pay her daughter’s school fees, another told me she was able to purchase needed food and supplies for the home. They are all looking forward to this year’s second harvest, something unheard of in a land where it only rains from December to March. Slowly, they are becoming independent and are thriving.

A Decade of Impact – By Stephen Heinzel-Nelson

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Before – 2008 Kalupe Medical Clinic

I am sitting outside of the Kalupe Clinic as hundreds of Malawians stand patiently in line to see the medical staff. It is another brilliant, beautiful day in Malawi; the temperature’s in the 80’s under crystal blue skies. Healing is taking place all around me. Suddenly in my mind’s eye I am drawn back to eleven years ago. It was the summer of 2008 that we were first brought to this very spot. 

After – 2019 Kalupe Medical Clinic

Then there was no clinic; only a dilapidated broken-down building and an old man molding bricks in the hope that one day there would be a new place for people to receive medical treatment. That was the beginning of VIP. That old man died this past year, but his dream and ours is alive and well. From that otherwise insignificant day God has launched a movement that is transforming thousands of lives including my own.

Clinics, wells, schools, businesses, bridges; hopes and dreams everywhere I look. Healing is swirling around me. I come back to myself and watch as a mother and her child head for home with a prescription and the new life it represents. Something deep inside of me stirs.

Here I am Lord! – By Fadi Zanayed

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Last year, I almost made the decision to go. But I did not. This year, in January, that call came again. This time I answered…”Here I am Lord”. Our first day on our Christ Mission Trip to Malawi began on a Sunday—a day of worship. What a day it was! In a country qualifying for one of the poorest in the world, the resource of a vehicle to take us to church was a commodity that is not common among the inhabitants of Malawi. The fact that we rode on a bench along each side of the back of an SUV that vibrated and bounced our bodies with every bump on the unpaved dirt roads did not seem to bother us as we rehearsed the song “We are Walking in the Light of God” in both English and Chichewa. Once at Church, we rehearsed again outside under a blazing sun with the other members of our team who came from different parts of the United States.

The sermon was given by the wife of the pastor. Preaching the word of 1 Kings 17:8-16 where Elijah encounters a widow and asks her for water and bread although she barely had enough for herself and her son. Elijah tells her that the Lord wanted this to happen and she obeyed. After giving water and bread to Elijah, she and her household ate for many days thereafter. The point of the sermon was that in the face of great despair and great odds against you, have faith in the Lord who will provide. What an important message!

The statistic of being one of the poorest places on earth was not evident as the richness of Christ was superimposed in the eyes of the young children, in the rhythmic moves of the teenagers and in the hearts of the ladies. They are rich in the Lord. They are truly walking in the light of the Lord. This feeling carried us to our home visits as our team broke off into three separate groups that afternoon. Each group were to visit two families and each had a suitcase full of clothes and a bag of towels and toiletries. I was in the group led by Liz Nelson, executive director of VIP. We drove through those unpaved roads to our first home. It was the dry season and I imagined how it would be when it rained, how muddy the fields would be and how the lack of shoes on most feet we encountered withstood the conditions.

The leader of the first home was the grandmother. Agogo is the term for grandmother in Malawi, and this Agogo was truly an inspiration. She had nine children, all of whom are still alive—to the amazement of Pastor Stephen, Liz’s husband. The respect that she commanded from her children and 32 grandchildren, all sitting on the dirt around us, was truly evident and inspiring. This led me to ask for pointers as I enter my grandfather phase of my life. We met in the open air as mats are placed on the dirt ground for women to sit on and men are given chairs. This is their tradition, and we respected it. Agogo eloquently answered our questions. Because of her age, she does not tend the garden that surrounds the home, and pointed to her children and grandchildren. This year the harvest, which occurs in March and April as Malawi is south of the Equator, was not very good as there was flooding.

There was no sorrow in her voice as she described the harvest. For all these years, God has provided and the sense in her words is that no matter what happens, God will always provide. While the conditions which we Americans would consider the poorest of the poor, I did not see any sorrow in the Agogo’s or her children’s words. I did not see any “Woe is me” attitude. In fact, before both home visits were over, women broke into a spontaneous song of thankfulness. After a thorough discussion, we asked to see one of the homes.  As we entered a small, and I mean very small, three room home, I saw no dresser full of clothes. In fact, there were no clothes. I did not see a refrigerator. In fact, I saw no electricity. I saw no stove—just several pots that may be used as dishes. The residents of the home sleep on mats which are placed on the dirt ground.

We exited the home and went to our vehicle to get the gifts that we had brought with us. We sized up the children and their parents and Agogo, and we took out clothes that we thought would fit each of them. We didn’t have clothing for everyone. I wish we did. We presented the clothes and the toiletries to Agogo. We also gave her the eggs that were given by the Lady’s Choir. She was very appreciative. Then we took out the soccer ball and the eyes of the children lit up. They clapped with joy. In the yard, there were no swings or slides. There were no toys left by the front doors or on the side of the house. When the children saw the soccer ball, their eyes were filled with extreme happiness. That alone was worth the trip to Malawi.

Dental Care in Malawi – By Scott Gradwell

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We, meaning myself and two talented Malawian dentists, saw 96 patients  in the dental clinic today. 96! And I am confident the next few days the numbers will be even higher and that’s because access to care and dental supplies is so limited here. The government dental clinics have not had any lidocaine for the past three months so they have not been able to perform any extractions. Can you imagine having to wait for months to have a painful, decaying tooth extracted?

With poor access to care, extractions are the most frequent and required treatment option for the villagers and care in these remote villages is done without electricity or running water.  With the commitment of our Malawian partners and with support from my colleagues in the Us we are trying to shift that paradigm. Each year that I have returned to this community we have brought additional materials and equipment to support more treatment options. In 2014 we were only able to provide extractions and we did so with patients sitting in two plastic lawn chairs.

Today we have three Asceptico dental chairs a generator and portable dental hanoieces. This year we added a portable cavitron machine which will allow us the ability to clean teeth and treat periodontal disease. We also brought restorative materials for doing dental fillings meaning we can repair teeth instead of extract them. All of this equipment is used during monthly dental clinics run by VIP. It’s exciting and invigorating to impact such critical needs and to do so in a great partnership with my Malawian dental colleagues. It’s time for bed now though because hundreds will be waiting tomorrow.

A Day of Impact – By Devin Murray

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I can only describe today as terrifying and honoring. After lunch, one of the providers named Sarah, whom I had formed a close relationship with the day before, came up to me saying we were being called away to see a patient. So, I grabbed a blood pressure cuff, my stethoscope, and a thermometer. We hopped in the back of the land cruiser and we were on our way. Finally, Sarah told me what was going on. The chief’s husband was sick and was unable to walk to our clinic so we were coming to him. As we drove, we went over the correct greeting with Sarah’s translator and when to kneel and when to stand. We arrived and our moment of truth was upon us. Sarah and I looked at each other, gave a terrified excited smile, and went to the chief’s door.

The chief and her husband were extremely kind and welcoming. Sarah asked what his complaints were and to see his medical passport. The chief went off in search of the passport and we continued to get information from the husband. Using our translator Emma, we were able to get all of his major symptoms. We went through the passport looking at his medical history. We really collaborated together about what diagnosis we were thinking and how to best handle them. Knowing that he had a history of hypertension I went in thinking the blood pressure was going to be high. I took it once and got a low reading. I turned to Sarah and told her my findings and said I wanted to take it again. Diving deeper into the history Sarah found he was taking medicine for his hypertension and the reading I got was similar to the ones that they were getting while he was taking his meds. Knowing that my second reading was almost exactly like my first, I moved on to the easy stuff, temperature and pulse. He thanked me and gave me a toothy smile.

Knowing my hard part was done I returned to Sarah’s side to figure out what medicine treatment would best take care of his ailments. We explained to the chief and her husband what our plan of action was and that we would be back in 15 minutes with medicine and instructions. After many thanks were exchanged in both English and Chichewa, we calmly walked back to the land cruiser. Once we were safely behind closed car doors Emma, Sarah and I all let out a huge deep breath and burst in to laughter. As the car drove, we went to work on our med plan. When we reached the clinic, Sarah asked to wait in the car for a few minutes to finalize the plan and celebrate. After a group-hug/high-five situation and some good old women empowerment encouragement, we went into the clinic in search of our meds to bring to the chief.

This experience in Malawi has been incredibly impactful. I am out of my comfort zone completely, eating new things, taking manual blood pressures, standing or rather kneeling in front of village chiefs. I am so thankful to my nursing instructor Lucy who encouraged me to go on this trip on Thursday morning in early September at 7am (when I should have been studying for my test). I am so grateful to the VIP staff and medical and dental team for this big community of love and service. I can’t wait to see what the final day of clinic holds.

Cydney is my Mchimwene – By Noah Seelhorst

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Words can’t begin to explain the bond and friendship that I have made with Cydney. I am going to attempt to explain how much he has impacted me this past 10 days as well as our team. Cydney has a dynamic and impactful personality. He is well respected among his village. He comes from humble beginnings and does not take anything for granted. Cydney has such a big heart and is loving and caring towards his people as well as the Americans.

As my translator this past week, Cydney has taken me under his wing. He has taught me many words in Chichewa which has allowed me to see more into the lives of the villagers we have interacted with. He has also introduced me to foods that are favorites of the Malawian people. I have had the opportunity to try sugar cane, sweet potatoes, papaya, nsima, and cassava. I was also blessed with the opportunity to be welcomed into Cydney’s home which helped shine light into Cydney’s life. He grew up as an orphan living with his uncle and cousins, whom he refers to as his father and brothers and sisters. Through the help of his family and VIP, he is now in his second year of university. He is studying communication with a minor in theology at African Bible College.

He has aspirations to join the ministry because of the love and care that VIP has provided him. Cydney also takes a big role in his church and can be heard singing aloud on Sunday’s.  Cydney has shown me the reason we need to break down the walls that may be dividing us, and I am happy to say I now have a friend and brother who lives across the world from me. I know that he is going to continue to inspire and help his people. I can’t wait to come back and see the positive impact that Cydney has made on his village and the Malawian people. Zikomo kwam biri my mchimwene Cydney. 

Inoculating Chickens – By Dr. Barbara Edwards

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This morning, eight of us woke up at 4:45 AM to go help the village of Ntambo inoculate chickens against Newcastle Disease.  This is a virus that has ravaged the chicken population in Malawi.  Because of Newcastle Disease, VIP has had to suspend its program of chicken distribution to the most vulnerable families until they could get the disease under control.  Now VIP helps the villagers inoculate their chickens every 4 months.

We arrived at 5:30 AM along with the sunrise.  After being greeted by the chief of the village (a woman!) the villagers all brought their chickens to the center square in the village. So many chickens! Entire families came with chickens. There were chickens in baskets. There were chickens in buckets. There even were chickens carried in their hands.  Little children arrived swinging chickens nonchalantly by their feet and wings. There were roosters and newborn chicks, and we took care of them all. VIP staff member Charles Sokoso explained to the villagers and the Americans how to inoculate all of these birds. It was surprising how simple the process was.

While each villager held a chicken, we grabbed its beak, turned its head and put a single drop of vaccine into one eye.  When we weren’t busy giving this medicine to the chickens, we were able to cuddle with the baby chicks and play with all the children. It was a great morning and definitely worth it even if we did have to get up at the crack of dawn!

Addada, One of Endearment – By Katie Hulit

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Villages in Partnership works in conjunction with each of the villages’ “VIC”, Village Implementation Committee, to identify the most vulnerable families in the area to visit. This allows our American team to gain some insight into the daily lives of those they are serving. Today, I travelled to the village of Disi and was welcomed to Addada’s home. Her actual name is Patuma but everyone calls her Addada, a term similar to “grandmother” and one of endearment. She welcomed us to join her on a straw mat outside of her home which also happens to be what she sleeps on at night. She doesn’t know how old she is but says that she was about 10 years old around the great famine in 1949 – putting her around 80 years young.

We asked her questions about her household, how her harvest was, how far she has to walk to access water… questions that one would rarely, if ever, ask in the United States. Her 14 year old granddaughter, Shalom, lives with her because Addada can no longer take care of herself. At 14, Shalom is Addada’s sole care provider. Shalom works in the garden in hopes to harvest enough food to feed her and her grandmother, she carries water on her head and helps manage Addada’s health. It was heartwarming and incredible to witness this young woman care for her family with little to no resources. Having helped care for my own grandmother, I appreciated how special this was and how difficult it must be. It was a privilege to be invited to their home and I am humbled by my time spent with them. 

A New Vision – By Timothy Golden

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On my second visit to Malawi I was asked to take on a new venture.  VIP had acquired a package of eye glasses and lenses through their partnership with Global Vision 2020.  This consisted of 250 pairs of frames and a variety of corrective lenses.  But the key feature was a device which is worn like glasses which has a plastic piece on each side which can be adjusted with a wheel to change the setting.  We would first test a patient’s vision using an eye chart taped to the wall and identify on what line their vision started to fail.  Then we would use the device to identify what corrective setting cleared up their vision.  Using setting on the plastic piece we could then select the specific lens from a case of lenses and snap them into the frames.

The real significance of this project is that these people had no access to glasses before we brought this here.  In many instances, when the new glasses were placed on the patient, their face brightened up with the realization that they could see clearly.  We also brought reading glasses in various strengths.  Again, the reaction from the people when they could clearly see the words in their medical passport was very rewarding.  Wearing glasses myself, from a young age, I can appreciate how beneficial they will be.

We are trying to make this program a sustainable one rather than something that only happens with the clinics.  One of the group that ran the eye clinic portion of the clinic was a local Malawian teacher. I trained him on how to conduct the exams and how to assemble the glasses.  He then did most of the exams and the interaction with the Malawians while I assembled the glasses from the resulting tests.  To keep the program sustainable, we charged about $1 for each pair of glasses. This should be enough to cover the costs of replacing the frames and the lenses and to generate a small profit for the teacher.

Another aspect of the eye clinic was the participation of a local Malawian eye doctor.  Many of the people who showed up at the eye clinic had problems with their eyes that were not related to glasses and he was able to provide assistance through drugs from our pharmacy or through a referral to the local hospital for proper treatment.  Again, this access to eye care is something which does not normally exist in the villages.  We are now looking at the opportunity to add eye care to the ongoing clinic services.

A Life-Changing Impact – By Elizabeth Hughes

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Today was an amazing day that I will never forget!  For many years at Cornerstone, I’ve enjoyed being a part of the annual Water Walk and helping to raise funds for their mission in Malawi. I’ve encouraged others to donate, talking about the “life changing” projects that were underway.  Today I had a chance to appreciate how accurate the phrase “life changing” is and to see the results firsthand.  

Our first stop was a primary school, where over 750 children are receiving an education.  Their smiles warmed my heart.  Next we visited a farm where we saw the way solar panels are being used to create an irrigation system, allowing crops to grow when it’s not the rainy season.  Third, we saw a maize mill where corn is ground to make flour, and the warehouse where excess is stored to help get through the lean months.  Finally, we visited Libwalo Village, where we were welcomed so warmly, with lots of smiles, and singing and dancing. We were able participate in a goat pass-on ceremony. When VIP gives a family a goat, they have to pass on one of its kids to another vulnerable family.  Today, we saw the ceremony where one family gives another the new goat, with so much joy.  We also helped to give the goats de-worming medication, which was quite interesting.  A meal was prepared for us, and it was delicious!  

In all of our stops, I could see directly how people’s lives had been changed. The women of the village sang a song as we left that I feel speaks volumes for the impact VIP has had in Malawi. The lyrics roughly translated go as follows: “before VIP, we were sad, but now we are happy.” I feel so blessed to be here!

We Are All The Same – By Matt Hammell

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Coming to Malawi, I didn’t know how much of a connection I could have with someone who lives in a remote, rural area of Malawi. The travel to arrive at this place was over 24 hours. Surely that means the distance between New Jersey and Sakata would influence the differences between myself and a VIP staff member of Malawi. However, I’ve found that I am able to connect with members of the local team without any difficulty. Gracious Mtemanyama has been by my side every step of the way it seems. Explaining the nuances of the Malawi culture whether I asked him a question or not. Kondwani and I rode in the truck together eating Malawian donuts, chatting and laughing as if I was on a road trip with a buddy from back home. As Gracious and I chopped up maize husks and peanut branches at Sitaubi Village, the villagers sang a song that accurately describes my experience. The Chichewa lyrics translated as, “We are all the same.”

Unbridled Joy – By Dr. Sarah Vick

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This is my second trip to Malawi— the first time I came was for only 5 days in 2016 on a medical mission trip. This time, I am lucky to be able to stay for three whole weeks, participating first in a Friendship Trip and staying for the following medical trip. It’s impossible to comprehend that today is only our second full day here. A Friendship Trip is exactly that— we have gone into different villages and met villagers and helped alongside them with some of the work required of village life.

When I was trying to describe it to a friend before I came, they suggested this was really just “3rd World Tourism” and wasn’t that being incredibly condescending? I assure you nothing could be further from the truth. VIP is genuinely partners with its Villages.  Even though the participants on the Friendship trip change, we are all welcomed as part of the Village family.  Today, as we arrived, the Village we were entering had gathered early in anticipation.

As soon as they saw our trucks, they leapt in the air cheering and singing and dancing. This wasn’t some elaborate stage production waiting for its cue— it was genuine, passionate, cracked-wide-open love, and there aren’t words to describe how free and unabashed their expression was. As a doctor, I’ve been with people at the very best and very worst times in their lives, but this collective expression of unbridled joy is something I’ve never experienced.

Zomba Central Hospital: Struggling To Serve The Poor

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VIP's Medical Team is seen walking in front of Zomba Central Hospital
VIP’s medical team is seen touring Zomba Central Hospital

Going into Zomba Central Hospital, we had no idea what to expect. It was an eye opening experience that we will never forget. Walking up to the buildings, they looked run-down compared to the medical facilities we have in the United States. There were people walking around the grounds, almost like it was a bustling marketplace. We had the opportunity to meet with the specialists at the hospital, as well as the chief nursing executor. They provided wonderful insight about the challenges that the hospital faces, as well as the progress they have made. We then were fortunate enough to go on a tour of the hospital.

It was shocking to learn the nurse to patient ratio—one nurse to 20-40 patients on a good day. Each ward consisted of one large room, with multiple beds inside. It’s hard to put into words the conditions of the patients and their families there. So much of what we take for granted in the United States—clean gloves, gowns, isolation precautions, sometimes electricity & private rooms—was lacking. We returned from the visit humbled and with a new appreciation for the healthcare system that we are blessed with in the States. The frustrations we are familiar with regarding healthcare in the United States do not even scratch the surface of the healthcare system here and what we saw today. We all walked away from our trip forever changed.

Written By: Allie Schindler and Molly Babb, Xavier Nursing Students

Taking Vitals on a Chief

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Today at Clinic I had the wonderful opportunity to care for a Chief of one of the villages that we were serving. All of a sudden this woman was brought to the front of the line and sat down right away. I was then informed by my interpreter that she was a chief. Knowing how important she was I got very nervous as I was taking her vitals. She was honestly one of the friendliest women that I had met so far. She was extremely grateful for the care that I was providing and spoke to me very enthusiastically and friendly. Once I had gotten her vitals and taken down her chief complaint it was time to send her on her way. I enthusiastically shook her hand and thanked her for all that she did. Taking vitals for the chief today was one of the coolest things I have done since coming to Malawi.

Written By: Katelyn Wnek

Grateful Through the Storm – By Tessa Mills

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After church we hopped in the truck to go and visit some people around Sakata whose houses had melted (literally) from the rain and floods of Malawi’s rainy season. The houses are made out of mud bricks, that are hardened from being in the sun, but unfortunately they simply don’t stand a chance against the torrents of water that gushed towards them.

The first house we visited, an entire half of the house gone, the resident, and older Malawian woman told us how she now had to live with her daughter. The second house, a young couple – the wife expecting – had their house collapse while they were inside sleeping! Praise the Lord no one was hurt, however, their entire backside of the house had melted away, and the roof was structurally unstable, not even safe enough to stand under. They were also forced to find other housing accommodations. Standing next to their collapsed houses, these people did not complain or cry, but simply found other solutions and carried on.

It’s shocking and amazing to watch how resilient the Malawian people are – they have no help when disasters like this come, no government aid, no temporary housing solutions, no resources to rebuild. Yet, they continue to exude joy and gratefulness. How convicted I felt of my complaining about much smaller issues.

Written by: Tessa Mills, Xavier Nursing Student

Agape-Experiencing the Highest Form of Love during Worship

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A worship experience is taking place with both Malawians and VIP visitors seated in the pews together

Rachel’s Worship Experience

Written by: Rachel Hesse, Xavier Nursing Student

Going to church for a 3 hour worship service was never a desire of mine, but I have never laughed, smiled, danced, and sang at the top of my lungs (not well, mind you) as much as I did that day. The happiness, the joy, the faith, the love, and the hope was overflowing out of the small sanctuary. It was something beyond inspiring.

I have never felt God’s presence within a community as much as I did being surrounded by the villagers on my trip to Malawi. They were dressed in their best and greeting us warmly. In the words of Liz, the best word to describe it was truly agape. It was pure undeniable love, hope, and belief that even in the hardest of times, God will provide. Just as our reading taught us, even when we struggle and begin to sink, God will always be with us.

In Malawi, those who have nothing and struggle everyday to survive, to feed and protect their families, surround us. Yet, they have the most faith and joy in God’s grace. You will never know a stranger in Malawi, only friends. Seeing the room light up when we started to sing our song in Chichewa during the worship service is something I will cherish forever. We were truly marching in the light of God (Hallelujah!).

Take a look at Maria’s experience!

A Malawian Village Experience – By Jessica Spady

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Today was my first initial day in a Malawian village called Liti. Here, I am pictured with a group of amazing children who thought I spoke Chichewa, the Malawian language, because of the color of my skin. They were eating pumpkin and offered me some, and wondered why I wasn’t responding. I told the translator to inform them that I was American, but, I’d love to learn their language. They asked me to stay, I told them I’d be back next year in which they replied, “that’s too long”. The children here are so joyful and full of life. I am so grateful to have this opportunity experience the culture and tradition of the Malawian village.

Written By: Jessica Spady, Nurse

Uncovered Beauty – By Lauren Deddens

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The first day of clinic is always a mix of emotions. There has been such a build up leading up to the moment we open and see our first patients. Pulling up to the clinic site and seeing all the people sitting under the tree waiting for us to start is always a nerve wracking moment. All the nerves dissipate as the day goes on and we can start to see the impact we are truly making. I love interacting with all the different people. From the  elders of the community, to the littlest of babies. Seeing the smiles on their faces, being present with them, playing with the children at the end of the day- these are all of my favorite things. Being in these moments I am reassured as to why I am called to be here. Today I had an experience that I know I will never forget.

This afternoon, I was in the wound clinic caring for this family who had scabies. The one little girl was so embarrassed because it was on her face and in her ear that she came to clinic with a long sleeve t-shirt covering her face. We were able to get them all cleaned up but couldn’t send them back home in their clothes that they came in. We brainstormed ideas: should we put them back in their clothes and have their mom change them out of it as soon as they got home? Can we try to find something in the clinic we could fashion into an outfit? Lucy popped her head in to see how things were going and she was quick to offer one of her chintenjis (a wrap worn by women) she had with her. How to make one chintenji work for two little girls. We decided to cut it in half and try to make something work just to get them home. Seeing how much better these little girls felt after getting them all cleaned up and dressed in their new “dresses” really emphasized what we are doing here matters. It wasn’t anything life shattering, but it was enough to put a smile on their faces. I just wanted to let these girls who were so ashamed of their skin, know how beautiful they truly are. I asked our translator Max tell them how beautiful they looked. The words for you look beautiful in Chichewa is, “Mwachena” . The little girl left with her head held high, face uncovered. Showing her true beauty to all.

Written by Lauren Deddens

First Day of the Clinics – By James Reist

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5 am start to the day. It’s the first day of clinics and we need to load all of the supplies for the clinics. We carry hundreds of pounds of supplies from storage and await the truck which we are to load. As the truck arrived I find myself doubtful that we will be able to fit all of our supplies. Thankfully we are able to get everything we will need loaded onto and tied down to the back of the truck. our next obstacle to over come is how we can get people we need to unload the trucks from Naming’azi  farm to the clinic sites. The cab of the truck can only hold 3 people and it would be a monumental task to unload the truck with just 3 people. The solution we found was to  have 2 of us to ride on the back of the truck, clinging to the ropes which are tying down the supplies all the way to the clinics. Thankfully our driver is a pro, we all worked extremely hard to unload the truck, and we were able to transport the supplies to the clinics without incident. what an exhilarating start to a wonderful day!

Written By: James Reist

A Moment of Impact – By Katelyn Wnek

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When I woke up this morning I had zero idea of what kind of day I would be having, and the incredible people that I would be encountering. While touring the Sakata school I met this incredible little boy. At first he was very shy and content with just watching the group from afar. Once we went into a classroom and began taking pictures, he wanted to be right in on the action. He wanted to be in every picture and loved seeing what he looked like on the camera. He would giggle every time he saw himself, which was just adorable. As we toured the rest of the school grounds, we became inseparable. He held my hand and did not want to let go. When I tried to let go of his hand to do something he would only squeeze harder and look at me like he didn’t want me to let go. While we only spent a small amount of time together he has already impacted me and I will forever remember him.
Written By: Katelyn Wnek, Student Nurse

Give Malawi Some Thought

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Pastor Andy Odom from Canyon Creek Presbyterian Church in Richardson, Texas joined VIP on a Friendship Trip in 2015. His rich experience in Malawi gave him insight into the true meaning of partnership. Since his return, he views life through a new perspective. With this appreciation of our mission, he encourages members from his congregation and others in his life to join in on this life-changing journey.

“I encourage you to consider going with us to Malawi on a Friendship Trip. I went a few years ago and can tell you that it is an experience one is unlikely to forget. One question I get about taking a trip like that is, “Why is it important to go there? Wouldn’t it be better if I sent the money I would have spent for a trip?” It’s a good question. Obviously going to Malawi is something that will help you grow in your faith. It will challenge your assumptions about the fairness of life and the disparity that exists in the world. But, perhaps the best reason to go is what it does for the people there. When you go to Malawi, it shows the villagers that we are serious about being in relationship with them. Each new person who goes on a Friendship Trip helps ensure confidence in the people there that VIP is a group who will stay with them. So many groups go on a mission trip to Malawi but never return. VIP is committed to staying, and they need people like us to be part of that commitment. So, it will change you, yes, but more than that, it builds our relationship with the people who live there, and if there is anything God wants most of all, it’s to build relationship. Give it some thought.” – Pastor Andy Odom

If you’re feeling called to join us on a trip to Malawi, click here to learn more or to sign up today! Our staff will be praying for your discernment during this time of decision making.

VIP’s 2018 Highlights

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As this year comes to a close, we want to recap the amazing work God has done through you and the VIP family in 2018. Your dedication to our mission and compassion for the people of Malawi is helping us fight poverty every day. Through our mission trips, your gifts, and the lasting partnerships, we’re so excited to see the continued impact we’ll have on our brothers and sisters in the years to come. On behalf of our Malawian family, we send thanks!

This year, VIP had our first college student, Lucius Phiri, graduate from the University of Malawi. We met Lucius after his family exhausted their resources trying to pay college tuition for him to continue his education. He dropped out of college for a semester. Then he heard about Villages in Partnership. After learning of his struggle, VIP provided the funding through the John Nathan Anderson Scholarship to complete his degree in agricultural studies thanks to Gayle and Phil Anderson.

We implemented solar irrigation this year thanks to your generous gifts. The irrigation system covers 12 acres and will benefit 70 households. The introduction of solar irrigation will completely change farming practices leading to full harvests. VIP is moving towards our goal of having farmers in Malawi becoming self-sufficient and not relying on inconsistent weather patterns due to climate change.

The 2018 USA medical team, composed of 29 nurse practitioners, physicians assistants, nurses, medical students, and our support team, paired up with Malawian medics and VIP’s Malawi staff and served over 4,600 patients in Malawi this summer. The teams saw all these patients in the time span of just three days. Our trips bring our team members closer to God while developing a deep love for Malawians and the medical profession. With such a high demand for health care, we decided to take our mission to the next level by hosting two Medical Trips in 2019. Click here for more trip information.

God put a calling on our heart in 2018 to build a medical clinic in the remote village of Khanda. The villagers have prayed that we bring medical care where there is none. We felt the calling in a powerful way this year and began our efforts to build this clinic brick by brick. We kicked-off the giving season with Giving Tuesday in 2018 and we’re so excited to see how God will use your gifts in a powerful way. The building of the clinic will be an ongoing project and we’re still accepting donations. Click the link to learn how you can help! https://villagesinpartnership.org/khanda-clinic/

A Medical Miracle – by Kaitlin Duncan

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This July, I returned to Malawi with VIP for my second medical trip. As a nursing student, I had experience with patients and hospitals, but never imagined a healthcare system like Malawi’s. When you don’t know where your next meal is coming from, it’s hard to fathom why you should care about a mosquito net over your bed or why you should get that sore on your leg looked at. You do your best to survive in an unforgiving environment with little resources. Malawi’s hospitals differ so greatly requiring family members to support the patients’ needs including meals while getting treatment. Going to the hospital as a mother means leaving your children home alone or with a relative to care for them. Going to the hospital as a child means having a family member come and cook for you. The hospital means taking time away from harvesting fields and providing food for your family. Treatment is often withheld until the disease progresses, making it even more difficult to treat.

My first day in the medical clinic my instructor, Lucy Goeke, said that I was needed to help a patient that just arrived. She told me the patient was an injured young girl named Aristina and that I should prepare myself. I entered the room with another instructor, Jackie, and immediately was taken aback. The young girl was my age, in her early 20’s. The mother told us, through our interpreter, that the girl was epileptic, suffered a seizure, and fell into a fire. Her shirt was holding on by threads as the fire had devoured the skin on both of her arms and even more so on the girl’s chest and breasts. She was covered in blisters as the burn had just taken place earlier that morning. We were limited so we applied ointment to the blisters and kept them from drying to the bandages we placed to keep infection out. The next day she returned and we were able to debride the burns and clean the edges to allow for new skin to grow. Another day passed until we saw the girl again. She seemed in much better spirits as the burns were feeling less painful. We set her up with dressings and arranged for her to return weekly to meet with a Villages in Partnership clinician. VIP employees and several clinicians came to continue care and meet with the most vulnerable patients. Leaving the girl in the hands of a Malawian clinician made it much easier since we had trust in their work. I received an update about five months later showing her progress and that only made me want to return to see her more.

Returning to Malawi this past July, I was amazed to see Aristina in such good spirits along with her family. We were welcomed to sit with her and the family as we conversed over how the past year had gone. Her burns were fully healed and she was smiling from ear to ear, something that I had yet to see. The mother said that Aristina stopped talking after the incident since it was so traumatic to her, but recently started talking again. Aristina faces many obstacles living in a rural village, but because of the care she received from the VIP clinicians, infection will not be one of them. When VIP asked the villages what they could do for this region, they responded saying the number one resource needed is access to healthcare. Building a clinic nearby means quicker access and less detrimental outcomes for villagers. The clinics treat illness along with disease and help with prevention including of fetal abnormalities and sickness by providing prenatal care through VIP’s partnership with Vitamin Angels. The clinics also offer access dental care. The dental clinic grows each year, continually advancing. Not only has VIP been able to remove teeth through these clinics but now they have been able to save people’s teeth and conduct cleanings. VIP supports thousands of Malawians and I’m incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to be a part of a wonderful team enriched with heartwarming people.

New Secondary School in Malawi

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Education is highly valued at VIP and we embrace opportunities to make schools more accessible in remote villages. This past year, we partnered with Valley Presbyterian Church and The Rob and Melani Foundation to build a secondary school (high school) in a location where there is great need. These two organizations are involved with work in Malawi and they are excited to come together to share this project. We recently received news that the Ministry of Education in Malawi approved the site on which we are planning to build. This school’s location will provide children with access to education they otherwise would not have.

The Malawian government established three criteria to evaluate the suitabitly of land on which to build a secondary school. The first criteria reviewed is surrounding primary schools. When evaluating this particular land, they identified 7 primary feeder schools for a secondary school. Next, the location of the nearest secondary school is determined to confirm the need for another secondary school in the area. The Ministry of Education confirmed that the closest secondary school is approximately an hour and a half walk away. This creates a high dropout rate since students walk to and from school, making the commute a 3 hour walk. The third criteria reviewed is room for expansion. Upon evaluation, landowners in the surrounding areas have available space for further development if needed.

This past summer, Chris Woodard, the Mission Director at Valley Presbyterian Church, along with some of the church’s members came to Malawi and visited the land with Liz and VIP’s Malawian staff. Chris along with the team are so excited to be apart of the construction of this school.

“It is a true joy to be a part of something bigger than yourself. When VIP told our church that children from the Sakata district were walking 10 miles to school every day we were floored. Our mission team all felt compelled by the spirit to see if we could help. We followed the leading of the spirit to raise awareness and support in our community and church. This week we received news that the site for the future school was approved by the Ministry of Education in Malawi and the land is being purchased. How exciting it is to be a part of this incredible new adventure where the lives of children in Malawi will be positively impacted by the love of Jesus. We are reminded that when we remain in relationship with Jesus our joy is complete and good fruit will be produced. I am thrilled to see how the good fruit of this school will be a blessing to others.” – Chris Woodard, Mission Director at Valley Presbyterian Church

Giving Hope to the Vulnerable

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During my trip this past summer in Malawi, I had the privilege to meet with Mrs. Chimenya from the Kalupe Village. A VIP staff member mentioned she had tremendous success with conservation farming practices she learned from Villages in Partnership. After hearing this news, Jordan Heinzel-Nelson and I made a visit to speak with her in person. We were both excited to hear about her success first-hand. As we pulled up to her house, we noticed she had a produce stand set up outside by the dirt road with a variety of vegetables and grains. This stand was a good sign since this meant she was making a form of income and had extra crops to sell.

As we approached her home, she came outside to greet us with a big smile on her face. She seemed so happy and full of life as she greeted us. We also met her children who eagerly accompanied her along with her husband after they heard of our arrival. Soon after we finished our greetings and introduced ourselves, a bamboo mat was laid out for us to sit on and spend time with the family. Jordan asked the translator if we could ask her some questions and she eagerly replied saying “yes”.  We quickly learned a lot about Mrs. Chimenya and her family after asking a few questions about her life in the village.

She told us that after her husband suffered from a stroke, it was up to her to support them along with their 7 children. Her husband previously had a job with the government which kept them stable so this sickness was a shock for their family. On her own, she would only collect on average 8 bags of crops during harvest. After VIP provided her with conservation farming training, she doubled her harvest and was able to gather 15 bags of crops from her fields. With this abundance, she was able to sell the extra to pay for school fees for her children.

Mrs. Chimenya explained to us how conservation farming works for her crops. She was taught to use maize stalks similar to hay which prevent the immature crops from becoming damaged from the heat of the sun. This technique also helps to lock moisture into the soil and keep the ground from becoming dry. As the maize stalks decompose, they return nutrients into the soil. With this technique, she planted an assortment of crops including maize, cassava, sweet potatoes, and ground nuts. After talking to her and the family, she then showed us her fields where she does her work in addition to her stand in the front of the house. At the end of our visit, they brought us sweet potatoes to eat and showed so much gratitude for VIP’s work.

VIP Attends Annual Malawi Mission Network Conference

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Over the weekend of August 10th, VIP attended the Malawi Mission Network’s (MMN) fifteenth annual conference held in Dallas, Texas. This year’s event was hosted by Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church. Organized in 2003 by the PCUSA and the Pittsburg Presbytery, the MMN is an affiliation of non-profit organizations who share a call to help our brothers and sisters in Malawi. Approximately 70 people from the United States and Malawi participated in the event. Malawian organizations in attendance included the Central Church of Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) General Assembly, the Livingstonia and Nkhoma Synods, the Veritas Bible College, Embangweni Hospital, and the University of Livingstonia. Organizations from the United States represented included the PCUSA, Presbyterian World Mission and members of the MMN such as the Marion Medical Mission and Malawi Matters.

VIP was given the opportunity to provide a short overview of our organization, our mission in Malawi, and examples of successful projects to the assembled group at a meet and greet event. We also hosted an information table in the vendor display room throughout the conference where we distributed VIP literature, answered questions, and discussed potential partnerships and cooperative projects.

The event was a rousing success. We raised the visibility of VIP within the MMN and the PCUSA and networked extensively with other mission organizations. Our networking activity generated many solid ideas for potential partnerships and joint project initiatives in our catchment area. In addition, VIP was added formally to the MMN and Chris Ebling, who represented VIP at the event, was elected to the MMN leadership team. Chris has been invited to share VIP’s mission PCUSA and Presbyterian World Mission and with Preston Hollow leadership team in the near future. Over the remainder of 2018 and into 2019 Chris will be working with the leadership team to plan next year’s conference and will ensure that VIP is front and center at that event.

Shawna Whitford

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I have a dream.  My dream is to make a positive difference in someone’s life and that the act will be remembered.
That’s hard to do when you are a person who is perfectly happy to be in the background.  I won’t be front and center.  I’m not an adrenaline junky.  If life was a movie set, I would be the lighting person.  Equally important role, but who sticks around reading the credits for the lighting persons name?  If you see me, I will be in the back, quietly helping and working.  I will work even harder to stay out of the spotlight.
So, how will I make a positive difference to one person in the background?
I am in Malawi, when another support member of the group is questioning her role.  Why am I here?  What am I doing to make a difference?  She looks around and looks at the medical staff like they are more valued.  This hits me hard as I often feel the same way and I am medical.  I want to offer words of comfort, but I know those words will not help.  It is the same words spoken to me and I still have those insecurities and self doubt.  As the days pass this is still weighing on me.  She has value, every step of this is dependent on her role.  She plans and organizes.  Without that we wouldn’t be here to do the part we do.  I also know those words won’t help as I have heard them and I know it to be true but the self doubt remains.  
I am in Kalupe, working the pharmacy.  It is the end of the last day of clinic.  It is busy and I am only vaguely aware of my surrounding.  I glance up and a Malawian women is eyeing me, she strides with purpose and her eyes never drop from my glance.  She approached with haste and begins speaking her native Chichewa.  She speaks fast and with passion.  I cannot understand.  I immediately think, I forgot to give her something, she feels she was not treated appropriately, what did I miss?  I call for my Malawian interpreter Lucy.
“Lucy! I need you to tell me what she is saying.”
Conversation begins in Chichewa and once again I am lost from the conversation.
Lucy turns to me and says…
“She wants you to know that she remembers you from last year.  She came in with severe malaria.  Because of you and the other American’s she received medications.  She says thank you.  She says you saved her life and wants you to know she is fine.”
Tears form quickly and we embrace each other.
It takes a village to care for a village.  It takes people with different talents and passions, who can work together to achieve a common goal.
In the background, I was remembered.  Life goal achieved thanks to God, this team, and VIP.
Thank you to everyone on this team for your talent, support, and friendship.  We are now family.


“Alone we can do so little; Together we can do so much”  –  Helen Keller
Written by Shawna Whitford

Agogo (Grandmother) – by Randa Nelson

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On this my 4th time to Malawi I still find my heart leaning in with the Agogos.  I love these women.  They have already had a long full life and yet here they are caring for their grandchildren and orphans as well.  Life here is not easy.  These women have been gathering water for their families their entire life. This entails walking varying distances and carrying about 20 lbs on their head and neck back to the home.  They have also been preparing food over open fires and literally stooping completely over to cook the food over the flames while smoke barrels into their faces.  I won’t even mention the pit latrines and how there are no toilet seats ….  All this to remind us of their way of life and what it entails to survive physically and mentally in the villages.

Most have also lost children and husbands.  No time for grief, water must be fetched and dinner made ready. Now in their later years, they are not resting and enjoying their golden years they are still raising children only it’s grandchildren and orphans this time.  Their parents either have died or simply left.  They still must carry babies on their backs, work their field, and pray for God to provide in their time of need.  These same women are the ones that greet the team with singing and dancing. They praise God for the blessing of the visitors and share their joy with us.  It is contagious and captures my heart completely. Their strength and resilience is amazing and it is a gift THEY give to me.  I can hear them even now (back on American soil) and I pray for them.  Father in heaven, hear their prayers, hold them in your hand and love them as only you Father God can. Amen.

A Life-Changing Trip – by Carissa Rea

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Malawi leaves an unforgettable imprint on the hearts of everyone who takes the journey to walk alongside our brothers and sisters. Trip participants leave learning much more than they ever imagined. Through singing, praise, and an unshakeable sense of hope, the power of the human spirit is revealed. Love is exchanged with every smile as the team travels through the villages. VIP’s projects show trip participants the transformative power of giving back first-hand. Our July Friendship team felt deeply moved as they came to the end of their trip. Before traveling back to the airport, everyone expressed their excitement to share their life-changing experience with their family members and friends. See the team’s takeaways below.

“I felt called to come to Malawi for work and the experience, but what I received was a connection, meaning, and my own healing.” – Megan Sanders from Wylie, TX

“This is NOT a sad place. The colors and sounds are wonderful” – Anne Diebel from Allentown, New Jersey

“The joy on the people’s faces is amazing. I have prayed about coming here for a while and I am so glad I am here. This place has hope; these people have GRIT! So inspiring!” – Wende Liebert from Wylie, TX

“The Malawian people are just like us, just poorer. They have the same basic desires as we Americans. If there will always be poor people, as Jesus says, perhaps that is so that we with more resources can show compassion by sharing ours.”  – Bart Hubbard from Garland, TX

“I expected this to be a great experience, and it has. I feel that I have acquired a great deal of knowledge about the lives of the people of Malawi and I feel great love and compassion for them.” – Kent McCully from Dallas, TX

“Going to Malawi gave me a new perspective on life reminding me how small gestures of kindness can make a world of a difference for families with very little. The work VIP is doing is truly life changing. To see the transformative power of giving back first hand was incredibly moving.” – Carissa Rea from Lawrenceville, New Jersey

A Happy Man Lives Long – By Jordan Heinzel-Nelson

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When we walk into the dusty clearing surrounding a quaint little hut, an old man hobbles out to meet us. He calls something in rapid Chichewa to a couple boys nearby. They run and grab some burlap sacks on which we sit to avoid getting our cloths too dusty.

After we are seated, he totters over and greets each of us. After greetings, he sits to talk. The sweetest eyes peer out from his round face and a toothless smile stretches from ear to ear. We are immediately charmed.

We are here for a home-visit, an essential part of every trip to Malawi – even for the medical team. Amidst the busy days of clinic, it is important to find time to come, be present, and chat with some of the most vulnerable families. It invites insight into the lives of people who live without secure food sources, without dry spaces on which to sleep, without clean water.

Today we are visiting Levision Dulana at Mpoola village. I am with my Mom, a team member named Carol, and our translator, Sydney.

“We are here to learn a little bit about your life,” Carol tells him. “Is it ok if we ask you some questions?” (Sydney is translating everything).

“Of course, it is fine,” he replies.

“Who lives with you?”

“A 13 year-old grandson, but he is gone now for Chinamwale in the Simba.”

Chinamwale is the initiation of boys to men – they are circumcised at the beginning and then spend a month secluded in a tent with men, learning about many… things. I shudder imagining this traumatizing experience as a 13-year-old.

We talk for some time – his story is like many others. He lives alone because his wife left when he grew too ill to work. He did not harvest enough food to last the year. He lives with the boy because he cannot care for himself. But the community helps him, sending aid. He is still not sure how he will make it. God will provide.

Finally, my Mom returns to the initial conversation. “Abambo, can you tell us about chinamwale? Or is it a secret? What do you learn there?”

To all who venture to Malawi, I encourage you to spend time with my Mom – she asks the best questions!

“They teach the boys to respect their elders. They tell them they must work hard or women will not like them. But I can tell you nothing else.” He chuckles. “There are many things regarding women!”

“Do you expect your grandson to be a better helper when he returns? More respectful?”

“Of course!”

When conversation dies down, we ask him if he has any questions for us. Questions about our lives, America. He retorts – “I have never left this village! How should I know what I should ask?” He laughs some more.

At the end of the visit, we present him with some gifts, including a pair of soccer cleats. He lights up. Although he can barely shuffle around the house, he tells us he is an avid soccer player. The toothbrush makes him smile even more – “I have only 1 tooth – it will be a clean one!” He points to the back of his mouth.

As we take leave, my Mom takes a picture of us together. “Will you bring me this photo so I can tell my friends that I hosted azungu (white people)?”

“We will try – next time we come, maybe we will dance together because the vitamins will make you so strong.”

“Next time you come, I will be on the football pitch!” He says, bent at a right angle because he cannot support his body upright. He sends us off with his laughter echoing through the air.

A few days ago, Sokoso, our veterinary officer, told me that a happy man lives long. I think this old man has many years yet to live.

 

The Warm Heart of Africa – by Justin Laudick

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I first agreed to the medical mission trip this spring during our Nurse Practitioner white coat ceremony at Xavier. As far as I knew at that time, we were treating Malawian patients at four remote clinics who would normally not receive any form of healthcare. In the trip information it mentioned unfathomable volumes, extremely ill patients, and needed resources that were not readily available. I had my sight on a mission trip for quite some time, and this seemed like an appropriate scenario given my background working as an ER nurse and Trauma Program Manager for a busy rural hospital.

Set up and necessary preparations felt overwhelming as myself and other healthcare providers recognized a long list of drugs that we do not typically utilize in the United States, along with ones we did not have with us. Of course, we not only had to have a crash course on prescribing these foreign medications, we had to be able to recognize diseases such as Malaria, Shistosomiasis, and my favorite, gastrointestinal “worms”! It was quickly notable that the several veteran staff working with us have been experienced who guided us through the learning process, especially Lucy Goeke who was extremely knowledgeable and just a fantastic teacher.

I was assigned as a provider (or prescriber here) to the Nkumbira clinic, and the clinic days were very busy and could almost be recognized as slightly overwhelming most of the time. Throughout the three days we evaluated, treated, and provided medications to over 4,500 patient’s. The Malawi culture is one of dignity, respect, and civil fortitude. Well over a hundred patients were patiently waiting outside for us every morning with their medical passport- the only form of their medical record in their hands to openly share with strange providers. Not at any time were the patients disrespectful, have a sense of entitlement, nor demand any form of treatments and/or medications. Even though we were working under extreme pressure with providers we never seen before, each and every person walked into the clinic with the same goal to help make a difference in complete strangers’ lives, no matter how small.

The goal of the clinics is to do the most good for the most amount of people with limited resources. It was quite evident that a simple referral to the hospital was almost impossible for most, therefore all but life threatening cases needed handled in the one room clinic which did not have electricity nor running water. I will remember many cases forever, including those with a poor prognosis- knowing the feeling that some would not survive even with our best efforts will be there. The feeling of having to cut away dead tissue, make incisions and drain wounds without lidocaine or anesthesia just knowing that it has to be done to give patients a chance at beating infections. Finding recurrent Malaria in a child who’s spleen was so large it consumed a third of her abdomen, and feeling responsible to make the appropriate decisions in their care again to give them their best chance. Providing medications and draining infection from a foot to a child who could not walk due to the infection, having him return the next two days of clinic to see him walk again the last day. Seeing the comfort, joy and shear appreciation in the patients eyes each day made everything we did as a team made me feel overwhelmingly humble.

 

A quick shoutout should also be sent to Liz (Executive Director of VIP), Jordan (Liz’s daughter and extremely talented leader), and Lucy (Medical Team Leader and organizer) as none of the amazing work we completed as a team would have been remotely possible without you!

Expectations – by Gabrielle Whitford

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Walking into the Malawian airport, I didn’t know what to expect, what smells or what sights I’d be experiencing. I did not expect drawn on licenses plates or the forever lingering smell of fire wood. I would not expect the rocky roads that lead up to Namin’gazi Farm or the local food that would be made just for us. Not knowing a single thing about this country was intimidating and know where near comforting. Learning more about the team during debriefing after clinic began a strong connection that would help us during the three long and blurry days of clinic. Being a part of “support” staff added a feeling of incompetence within myself. However, during the three days, I have allowed myself to enter a different realm. Previously fainting from the sight of blood back home, I had been put to the limit while I ended clinic with cleaning wounds and dressing them. Though clinic was a blur, it has taught me the love of medicine and the memory has and forever will be connected with me. It has brought me self-confidence and has given me pure joy. The people of Malawi are driven to be faith driven and create a potential life changing feeling within each individual. They are brave, fierce, but have developed a sense of loyalty and devotion to God. They create raw emotion and unfiltered love; pure love. They can change your mind on life in less than an hour and create tears of uncertainty and joy. Being drawn to the people of Malawi is not a choice, but a must. Being in Malawi has not only brought me closer to God, but has developed a pure love for the Malawians and each profession in the medical trip.

A Celebration to Remember – by Carissa Rea

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Filled with singing, dancing, and celebration, graduations are a lively part of Malawian culture even at preschool age. As we pulled into the ceremony, there were hundreds of parents, teachers, and students gathered to witness this exciting occasion. Over 18 preschools were in attendance with 200 children who will now be moving to Standard 1 (First Grade) at Primary School in September. Upon request from the villages, VIP supported all preschools in attendance making this graduating class possible. Our group was directed to sit with the chiefs of the villages in a highly respected front row tented area. The MC then invited us along with the chiefs from the villages to get a glimpse into what the students were learning during this past year.

We were brought into a crowded room with different sections representing various areas of teaching and learning. For example, there was an outdoor playing area, creative art area, block and building area, music and instrument area along with others. The children beamed with excitement as they demonstrated their new skills learned over the past year at each station. By observing, we saw the well-rounded approach taken by these preschools. As we made our way back to our seats, a play or “drama” began in the center of the event. There were two men dressed up speaking loudly in Chichewa as the crowd roared with laughter. The translation of the play was hard for me to follow; however, the Malawians definitely appreciated their humor. After their performance, each preschool was invited up to the microphone to show case what they learned.

I was surprised to see each school represented in this way. Back in America, a group this large would typically be addressed as one group. Malawian culture has a way of making you feel individually noticed and appreciated. As the preschools came forward, the children presented a skill they learned. Some recited their ABCs into the microphone, counted as a group from 1 to 100, while others sang songs together. After each group, the DJ played music and the crowds would break out into a dance including the MC. Following the 18 preschools that were presented, speeches were given from Mwalabu and Liz. The last stage of the graduation was to hand out certificates to each student; however, everyone decided the ceremony went on for too long. Instead, they brought up two students from each preschool to represent making the flow more manageable. As the ceremony came to a close of course the Malawian way called for more celebrating by sharing Obama bread (named after our former president) and drinking Coca Cola. Sharing this joyful occasion with the Malawian community reminded me how important it is to celebrate every accomplishment in life no matter how big or small.

Landing on my feet in Liti – by Scott Batterson

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I was barely aware that she had a baby with her, much less that she was breast feeding while she quietly handed over her medical passport. She spoke to my translator and described her reasons for seeking care for her baby and he turned and carefully chose the English words to translate her Chichewa (the local language) into terms that I would understand. I could use this description for dozens of the patients that I’ve seen over the past two days at a small medical clinic in the village of Liti in rural Malawi. Today was the second of three clinic days. Our team saw just over 280 villagers over the course of 6 hours. They come to us with fevers and wounds and a variety of conditions that would warrant admission to most U.S. hospitals, and they patiently and quietly wait to be seen. There is no visible frustration on their faces, no sense of entitlement or voices of impatience, a subdued yet determined demeanor permeates their culture.

I chose to come on this trip with Villages in Partnership with very little persuasion from my clinical instructor at Xavier University. I have worked in a busy U.S emergency department for nearly 6 years and I saw this as an opportunity to regain the perspective that made me want to be a nurse in the first place. Too often I leave work with frustrations of the American bureaucracy that healthcare has become with more thoughts about whether I had diligently documented than the care that I provided. Nursing schools emphasize the concepts of beneficence and non-maleficence (do good things for your patients, don’t hurt them) and this experience has allowed me to get back to the root of those tenets and that has been more refreshing than I could have imagined.

The baby was done breast-feeding and stared at me with giant brown eyes and a full head of matted kinky hair that stood at least three inches off her little head. I asked my translator, “Tell her that her baby is beautiful and has more hair than I have ever had”, he quickly complied. She let out a soft laugh (I’m completely bald and likely to be the first white person she has ever interacted with). Her nine month old had a cough and a fever, symptoms that many American parents would simply treat with over the counter children’s Tylenol and rest. Things get a little more high-stakes in a place where there is no counter, and Malaria is a very real threat when these symptoms appear. We tested 122 patients for it our first day, 59 came back positive, and still they wait patiently to be seen by a provider to receive their prescriptions and plan of care.