The months of January and February have been was quite full of unplanned activities due to floods that left many Malawians homeless, poorer than last year and many have lost their lives. Heavy rains and wind demolished housed, destroyed crop fields and livestock and property s well. Future Vision Ministries (FVM) and other stakeholders have donated food and other items to flood victims in various ways. FVM distributed maize (corn) for food and soybean seeds for replanting because most people’s fields were destroyed rendering them hopeless.
· On Friday, 13th February, 2015 FVM distributed the most needed commodity, maize to 380 families (that is, about 1,520 beneficiaries).
· More than 100 families lost their crop fields and some had their houses destroyed in Taulo area
· 200 bags (of 50 kg each) have been purchased will be distributed next week on a date to be arranged with the villagers. We expect more than 200 families (more than 800 people) to benefit once again
· It rained heavily again last week Thursday and the people to Taulo were again affected. The road was again destroyed thereby making Taulo unreachable by car (pictures to follow later today)
· There is need of more relief assistance especially food (maize). I will prepare special report on that (though another report was already sent)
· Soybean seeds for revolving us being rolled out but will obviously been affected with the floods that destroyed the farms but also displaced the community members.
· 22 families (about 88 people) were hosted at the Nursery School building FVM build in Taulo
· 7 young missionaries from Liebenzell Mission (Germany) are accommodated in Mulunguzi house from 6th January to 31 March 2015. This is a great relief to costs towards Mulunguzi House. They are so happy and appreciate the accommodation. They are always entertained by monkeys every morning.
· 76 students (66 secondary and 10 universities & colleges) have been assisted with tuition fees. Maria Phiri (albino) is one of the beneficiaries. She is studying Business and Home Management at Chigodi Women’s Training Centre
· Bible Study at Taulo continues but has been very much disturbed due to floods because the rooms have been hosting displaced families for the past two months
· Radio evangelism continues every Mondays and Wednesdays (for Chichewa) and Sunday for Tumbuka. Very encouraging feedback is being received.
· The classroom block at Nandolo is finished (though painting is not completed) and is being used by the children and community
· Feeding programme has been intact and more about 700 children of up to 8 years of age are benefiting
· Pre-school education is going on well. All the volunteers are working hard to uplift the livelihood and growth of the children
· Newton Sindo finished his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and is waiting for final results and graduation. Everyone will be informed when the day of graduation is fixed.
· On Friday, 6th March the Sindos are hosting Liebenzell Mission visitors who are occupying Mulunguzi House. This is to honour them for being our “customers” since three years now.
· Marion (Liebenzell Mission Representative resident in Malawi for sometime) will be leaving for Germany after effectively reaching out to Malawians with the Gospel of Christ. She has been very instrumental in arranging with us the using of Mulunguzi House by friends from Germany. We will live to remember her good Chichewa and love. We are bidding her farewell on Friday, 6th March at the Sindos.
Prayer points:
- SCOM (Student Christian Organisation of Malawi) Annual Conference from 26 to 30 March 2015
- Flood victims
- FVM programme of 2015 as Budget is being finalised
All the usual programmes (feeding, pre-school, education assistance, spiritual care activities, soybean initiative, communal garden, women empowerment activity of training in tailoring) are in progress though with challenges due to floods.
In His Service,
Newton Sunday Sindo