The Malawi Project, Inc.

    Bottom Hospital sits in the old trading center portion of Lilongwe Town, a short distance from the big mosque, and just east of the Lilongwe River. Highway M-1 passes a block to the north and the visitor passing through town may miss it entirely. It must have derived its name because it sits at the bottom of the valley, but one must wonder if its name is symbolic of being at the bottom of some sort of an imaginary list. It is a montage of mismatched buildings, some of them beige, while others are a dirty weather beaten off white. A much larger group buildings are a brownish orange color that mimics the ground on which the decrepit facility rests. Bars on most of the windows bemoan the realization of the amount of petty crime and theft that is rampant in many parts of this tiny nation nestled in one of the deepest pockets of poverty in the sub-Sahara. In spite of all of the efforts to control the problem it is still rampant in an “everyone does it” attempt at justification by those who cannot find a way to stop it. Almost everything can and does disappear from the medical facilities in time. And this includes not just the “small stuff”. It goes all the way to actually including mattresses and beds.

    Spotted along the dusty footpaths and broken pavement outside the buildings are the nurses who are coming and going in spotlessly white uniforms that defy the surroundings in which they work. They appear at duty stations with a manifestation of purity, cleanliness and commitment that dare the believer to understand, when they are seen in the environment in which they must work. One need only to watch them in their harsh and unpleasant environment in order to gain a new respect for the nursing profession as it is being played out in the harsh surroundings of poverty stricken Africa. One would be hard pressed to explain how a nurse can enter the workday in a white uniform, and end the day with it still appearing white and spotless.

Minor Gains Against Major Problems

    Today the hospital looks much different than it did even one year ago. Fresh paint can be found in some of the wards. This is progress even though old, chipped paint still holds the count for supremacy. Old beds and mattresses still outnumber newer ones. But there is some gain. One can see a gallant effort that is showing some results that is gaining a toehold in the battle against death, disease and despair. The staff is gaining one inch at a time. Nurses do not handle as many deliveries per shift as they were doing just a year ago, although the patient to nurse ratio is still at unbelievably high levels that shake any western nurse all the way down to her spotlessly white nursing shoes. To the question of “how can they give good heath care to patients when the patient load is so high” comes the dreadful, but honest and candid answer of, “they can’t!”

The Untrained Care for the Patients

    Many people seek ways to assist the people of Malawi. This interest often lasts for a short period of time then they move on to the next point of interest. It is unusual in any international aid setting to find those who get involved for the long term and remain committed to one place year in and year out. One of those who has committed themselves to the nation of Malawi for the long term is Daniel Shipley of Knoxville, Tennessee. Daniel and his parents, Dean and Jamie, have been involved in Malawi for years. Read the beginning of the story of Daniel raising support for the shipment of raisins to the children of Malawi in the story of  "The Heart of a Daniel."

    Today Daniel Shipley continues faithfully to raise support and supplies as he makes presentations on behalf of the children of Malawi. He encourages those with whom he is in contact to give a dollar, or things that are badly needed in the fourth poorest nation in the world. He then purchases the goods, packages them for the shipment and sends them on the way to Indianapolis for inclusion on the next shipment. His business cards that he hands to all who will take them, and the poster board presentations that he presents to all who will listen call for such things as toothbrushes, toothpaste, vitamins, disposable rubber gloves, cough drops, soap, and shampoo. For the school needs of the children who hold a special interest with Daniel he calls for the contribution of folders, rulers, pencils, pens, paper, paper clips, color pencils, and markers.

    Daniel and his parents recently made a trip from Knoxville to Indianapolis to deliver a load of supplies to go on the next trailer destined for Malawi. The following Sunday morning Daniel was awarded an African carving and hand painted picture of Africa during a ceremony at the Green Valley Church of Christ in appreciation for his dedicated service to Africa.

    Likisina comes from Takomana village, near the Mponela Trading Centre about 50 miles north of the capital city of Lilongwe. Likisina is a widow with five children. She operates a small business at the Mponela Trading Centre.   

"Thank you very much for this gift. Every day I had to crawl when going to the market to sell things" said Likisina while crawling toward a wheelchair. “I want to assure you that this wheelchair will do a lot to me and my children. I have children that are going to school, and it has been very difficult for me to meet their basic needs, as I am a widow and cannot walk. Today is a day that the Lord has made, and I will rejoice and be glad. May God bless those people who have made it possible for me to have this wheelchair."

     This story of hope provided by the Malawi Project and the Free Wheelchair Mission.  The Free Wheelchair mission donated 550 wheelchairs which were distributed to disabled Malawians by the Malawi Project.  

         Together, we are changing a nation.