We are Back in AFRICA!!!!

Mphatikizo Newsletter 2nd Feb 2017

Track leading from house to Orphanage

Kia ora everyone and yes the Smedley Family have finally landed back in Africa and to be honest are finding the weather change quite challenging!! It is the middle of the wet season and the days are marked with torrential rain and a somewhat oppressive heat, with most conversations involving the statement that Liwonde is much too hot even by African standards. All that said the countryside is incredibly beautiful and I never tire of the trip into town crossing the Shire River and seeing the Hippos. One bar in a local lodge even has signs for guests warning of the crocodiles and hippos, not the best drinking companions I am told!

On to more serious business, arriving here was initially a little more overwhelming initially than I would have expected. The poverty here has definitely grown much worse since the last time I was in Africa and even though everywhere you look you see healthy maize, it has not yet ripened, with many families struggling to feed themselves added to that the cases of Malaria here in Mtubwi is absolutely astounding. Regina and I have also been stunned by the amount of child lead households and if ever I doubted the building of the orphanage my only doubts now are the length of time before we will need to extend.

The orphanage whilst in tack is in need of some maintenance and the cows, which are currently housed at the rear of the building, will need to be moved as I think they pose a health risk in their current location.

Currently Regina and I are focusing all our efforts on the building of quarters for the two guards and their families (who are employed by Mpahtikizo) within the compound at the Volunteers House and completion of the perimeter fence. Once this is done they will move from the orphanage, where they currently live , and we can begin the repairs there. Repairs are also needed to the solar system and borehole which whilst is still functioning is in need of attention. At present we are aiming at taking children in by the end of Feb with the official opening being in March, dependent on Registration with the District Commissioner. Once up and running we will focus on the group of volunteers visiting mid year from Lincoln University. We still have much to do at the house to make it suitable to house visiting groups but both myself and Regina are committed to making this visit a success and see it as important for the future success of Mphatikizo. Not only will they be involved in irrigation projects and the building of a pre school/ feeding Centre but I have managed to organize an out reach program to some remote communities educating young girls on early marriage, HIV and the importance of staying at school. This will be done in partnership with Mtubwi Primary School which is situated across the road from the orphanage.

​Building the guards accommodation

Sadly Regina and I discovered on arrival that some donor funds have either been misspent or simply stolen which, whist disappointing, is when you look at the level of poverty in the area, not surprising and I think is testament to why we should have returned to Malawi . We are now into our third week here and whilst at times it seems a little slow I can see progress in the right direction and the community very much appreciates our presence. One thing you cannot discount is the need.

The Locals

On a different tack our Landrover rolled several weeks ago just after replacing the gearbox, due to the big end bearing collapsing completely imploding all and sundry. We yesterday received a much needed replacement steering box so hope to be mobile by weeks end but this is Africa!!!!The local African doctor has also had his go at the truck so fingers crossed its luck will change!!!(You have to feel for the chicken!)

Back onto the charity, this week has been full of meetings with local chiefs, community elders and a tribal counsel which I must admit seemed to me to consist entirely of saying nothing and staring at each other but which I was assured went well by all who were there. One thing I will say is the community were very ready for our arrival and the need for Mphatikizo is definitely there. Please continue with your support it is both needed and appreciated. I will finish this newsletter with a picture of Diana collecting water for the house. The kids are incredibly homesick and I am very proud of their efforts to adjust. We are constantly having to improvise and adapt to a life at polar extremes to what we were living in New Zealand. (even Correspondence School is proving a challenge with limited internet and resources ) For Regina and myself the decision was a given but for our children I think they have been very brave.

I will finish here with the promise of a more regular newsletter now we have arrived. Many thanks again to all our friends, family and numerous supporters and donors. We still have plenty of children requiring sponsorship and numerous projects, which need both your support and assistance. Show love and give hope there are so many less privileged than us. Zikomo and much love and hugs The Smedley Family.