There are several goals for this trip along with the usual requests for prayer .
-Assessment of the nursery school program which has been attended by over 400 children daily since opening on September 13th, 2010. An organization called SAFE has conducted a training program for our volunteers who tirelessly work daily with the children including serving a hot protein- fortified meal to each one.
-Wayne will put his agricultural and landscaping skills to work developing playground facilities for the children. There is nothing there at present except barren thorny ground! We want this to be as “Malawian” as possible – no imported plastic play centres!
-Wayne will also work with the existing agricultural initiatives to reduce dependence on purchasing food for the children.
-Both of us will spend a lot of time with Newton and Idah and their family as well as Chief Taulo and the 21 other chiefs, listening to them and their ideas for the future. What are their priorities and what are their proposed solutions? How can FVM assist them in bringing their dreams to reality?
-Several young people, especially orphans with no family at all, are being assisted with educational funds. We wish to visit them and see their progress.
-We will have the opportunity to meet with local groups of Christians in a number of churches.
-Dan will spend some time at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital where we now have both an Optometry Internship and a Medical Residency for graduate M.D.’s doing their Family Practice Residency at CFFM where I teach.
-Both of us will look at housing options with respect to suitability for future visiting teams.
Thank you for your interest , support and prayers. We are extremely thankful for strong African leadership there, leaving us in a position to support their initiatives as identified by them.