Transforming Lives in Malawi: Reflections From Our 2026 Friendship Trip — By Rich Daesener
Rich Daesener, Director of Strategic Partnerships, recently traveled to Malawi, Africa. Read about the incredible growth he saw and follow along as he shares the emotional new partnership in Maliwata Village.
I eagerly looked forward to this year’s friendship trip. It is always good to see my brothers and sisters in Malawi. Both the Malawian staff, my teammates, who are so caring, capable and charismatic and our friends in the villages who host us with such warmth, openness and hospitality.
I was especially excited that the team that went over was a mix of new visitors and friends that have been to Malawi but not been back since 2019 and 2022. My thoughts were to see the VIP catchment area through the eyes of someone seeing it for the first time and also to see what has changed over the last 5-7 years.
Since we embarked on our three year vision, we have made incredible progress. We have named our 15 new villages and have adopted 8 this year and 7 next year. The build out of Two Sisters Demonstration Farm just finished the classroom/cleanroom and the Girls dormitory at One Heart Secondary School will be ready for the new school year this September.
A particularly poignant highlight was going to Maliwata Village. It is the most remote of our villages and one of the new ones we adopted this year. As we drove out to the village and crossed wide open rice fields where the road was barely visible and no structures were in sight, we came upon Maliwata. See how vast and open the landscape appeared as we were driving and after a long travel stood a village.
A Heartfelt Welcome and Celebration
The reception was like no other I have experienced. The singing, dancing, drumming, and crowd was electric!! They were so excited to meet the partners who are working side by side with them to bring clean fresh water. Water that allows women the time to take care of their family, to do business and possibly stay in bed longer than 4am. Water that keeps children from dying from waterborne disease.
This is not something “we” say, but this was from the testimonials we heard when we settled into our makeshift covered seating area to meet our new friends. The speeches were passionate, funny and sobering. As we left, the pull of the people was palpable. “Stay with us and celebrate longer…this is truly God’s work.” I could only think yes…who else could inspire a family, the VIP family, to invest so generously into our brothers and sisters half way across the ocean?
Witnessing the Transformation
Beyond the new accomplishments and the experience at Maliwata, what resonated deeply were the reflections of Gayle & Phil Anderson, Randa & John Nelson and Jim Garst who have not been since 2019 and 2022. For those coming back the contrast was undeniable. They didn’t just see the ongoing work; they witnessed the tangible, life-changing progress made since their last visit. The increase in livestock, water points and the overall wellness of the villages we serve.
Walking Together, Transforming Lives
There is still so much more to do, but I am so encouraged by the impact that has been made. Not by my estimation, but by our friends who have traveled to Malawi and witnessed. Witnessed just how much better off our brothers and sisters are due to the heart and calling our VIP family and the hard work of a warm and welcoming people with incredible stamina. Stamina to continue to hope, continue to pray and continue to work for change.
Will you join us in this ongoing story of transformation? Your partnership today ensures that whole communities continue to thrive for generations to come.
Support our ongoing partnership in Malawi and help make sustainable change a reality, today!
