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.
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