Sep 29

Bangwe Factory - Project Adds Yet Another Site

Wheelchairs, Medical, Be The Change

Part of the Council for the Handicapped Program

    The Bangwe Weaving Factory opened in 1976 as a result of the creation of the Malawi Council For The Handicapped (MACOHA) by an act of the Malawi Parliament in 1971 (Chapter 35:02) under the administration of Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda the First President of the nation. With the advent of MACOHA came a series of nationwide programs and initiatives designed to find ways to support and assist the handicapped to live full and productive lives. Programs were put into place in every region of the country by the Administration.

    MACOHA continues today to carry out the same mission for which it was chartered when the Republic was in its infancy. The familiar mission statement in some of its literature repeats a page from the past. MACOHA functions today "as a government implementing agent responsible for services and programs designed to improve the livelihoods of persons with disabilities."

    As one of its functions MACOHA oversees the activities of the Bangwe Factory. The factory is located just south of the commercial center of Blantyre, and has a capacity to employ about 150 people of which 75% have varying degrees of disabilities. A disastrous fire a few years ago destroyed much of the equipment and placed in question the future of the facility and its workers. Since then it has been a long, difficult climb up from the ashes. The program continues to run short of equipment and supplies for all of the handicapped people who need the resources it can offer. Currently there are 100 men and women with disabilities being trained in hand weaving, screen-printing, tailoring, embroidery, tie-dyeing, carpentry and other trades that lead to productive lives.

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Sep 25

When We Arrived, Glen Wept

About the Malawi Project, Wheelchairs, Medical, Be The Change
 “He has a gentle and open nature like very few people that I’ve ever met,” reports Mark Thiesen an American working in the southern part of Malawi. Mark has been part of a missionary family in Malawi since he was a small boy. His parents were missionaries in the northern part of the nation and now the mantel of responsibilities has moved down to the second generation. He is writing about Glen Kalitera who suffered a debilitating stroke in 2002. Glen is still in his 50’s and became a widower in 2003 with the death of his wife.
    “Glen’s case is particularly sad,” Mark reports, “because he has no one who is willing to regularly come visit or encourage him.” Glen tells of one son who is working in South Africa and sends him money for living, but Glen is lonely and must stay in his house all day. Another son lives nearby but does not come to visit as Glen wishes he would.
    With the arrival of the wheelchair arriving in Thondwe (just south of Blantyre), compliments of the Free Wheelchair Mission and the Malawi Project Glen now has the freedom to get out for fresh air and to enjoy life again. He can also attend church services. Mark concludes, “When my mother and I delivered it, Glen wept."
Sep 13

Namateni Banda, A Wheelchair Makes Her Useful

Wheelchairs, Medical, Be The Change

She Thought She Was Useless

    A forty-six-year old lady named Namateni Banda lives in a village called Kawamba Villege. She lives in the area of Traditional Tribal Authority Mponela in Dowa District. This is the first district or state north of the capital city of Lilongwe, Malawi, Central Africa.
    Namateni was able to walk until 1994 when she became very sick. Her legs were paralyzed and she was no longer able to get around except to crawl and her hands and knees.
    Her husband divorced her because she could not walk, and help with the many chores that were needed around their house. He left her with two children.
    Namateni came to Blessings to get a wheelchair sent for her by Free Wheelchair Mission and the Malawi Project. She asked that you be told.

"When my husband divorced me I thought I am a useless person, but today I have realized there are good people who care about me. You are heroes to me. May God bless you so that you can do the same for other people. I have been straggling to raise support for my children, but I am now sure this wheelchair will support my family, and not just me alone. I would like to inform you that because of you my children will now go to school and in my house I will have enough food and other needs."
 

Jul 12

Paralyzed Widow Rejoices

Wheelchairs, Medical, Be The Change

Wheelchair for a Widow     Likisina Khumbulasi was born thirty years ago. She learned to walk as a small child but at the age of six she became very sick. She nearly died from the unknown illness which paralyzed her legs and hand. After sometime she learned to use her hands but remains unable to walk.

    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.

 

May 05

My Wheelchair Will Help Me

Wheelchairs, Medical

Before WheelchairNachulu Banda says simply, “My wheelchair will Help Me Work.”

    She is a businesswoman, but for years it has been almost impossible for her to travel to the gardens to buy, or to the markets to sell. Nachulu Banda comes from Mbunga Village in Dowa District, and her business is the buying and selling of vegetables. She lives in the area of Traditional Authority Chief Chakhaz.

    Nachulu was able to walk until the age of five, and then she experienced a severe case of malaria. As a result of the illness she could never walk again.

    Nachulu was married for a number of years, but her husband divorced her because she could not help with the work he wanted her to do. Her mother also died, although her father is still alive. She has one grown daughter who is married and lives near her mud hut, thatched roof village.

    One day recently Moses Banda, the Communication Director for Blessings Hospital traveled the 56 miles north that was required to reach her village.

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