Mitundu Village, Malawi … Last week we visited a village outside Lilongwe, and in our mind’s eye we watched as Wilson Tembo and Griven Kasalika distributed mobility units and Bibles to a number of deserving individuals. They profiled the stories of Mark Frezer and Lizu Lemson who had been selected by the Malawi Council for the Handicapped as deserving of receiving assistance. Today we will continue our observations as Tembo and Kasalika turn their attention to two women who had also been selected for assistance.
Philipina Gelisomo
She came from Belimoni Village, near Lilongwe with a sad face, balancing herself on old wooden crutches. What could change her plight in life, her desperate situation? There was certainly no one that could offer her hope. Then her name was called. Like a farmer rejoicing with the first rains she knew, when she heard her name called out, that life was about to change.
The moment she was given a mobility unit she hopped on it and peddled it some distance. “I can now take care of my family since I can now do things on time. Yes, I had wooden crutches, but. I still could not walk long distances to the market, church, or to other community gatherings.”
Phillipina was “over the moon” with excitement when she was also handed a new Bible. “We were told to come to perhaps receive a mobility unit, but no one told us we would have a nice, new Bible as well. We thank you very much and God bless you.” She sees the Bible as a gift to her whole family, and they will all use it to find guidance and understanding for the entire family.
Taonazino Payison
Her relatives think it happened when she was three years old. Taonazino does not remember. It seems she suffered from malaria and was admitted to Kamuzu Central Hospital. She remained there for nearly a month when it was discovered she had problems with her legs that required they be amputated. Action for Progress visited her in Simuvu Village at the request of MACOHA.
In spite of her handicap, Taonazino maintains a small business of baking and selling donuts. She sells them on the street outside her home. However, unable to move about she cannot go where there is more demand. Until now the business has remained small because of the low demand, but now she envisions enlarging its reach to the extent she can really provide for her family. Her elder brother, Thomas had no words he could express. He indicated his sister had just received the best gift of her life. For Taonazino it is not only a major change in her physical life it is also a change for her spiritually. Given a new Bible along with her mobility unit she can now study on her own as well as attend church services on her new mobility unit.
Along with the others who gathered that day with the team from Action for Progress, it was certainly a day where dreams come true.
“Then Peter said, ‘Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.’ Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.” Acts 3:1-11