October Malawi Update

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

SCHOOL IS BACK!

The period between mid-August and mid-September 2020 has been an exciting time, not without some fears of uncertainty, as the nation is trying to ease restrictions that were put into place in March 2020 due to Covid-19.  Like many countries around the world, September saw students returning to classes and at the same time FVM has been able to resume our preschool program.  Activities have been resumed with the heath and safety protocol of masks and hand sanitation.
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WHAT IS HAPPENING...

• 350 children have been fed with nutritious food in the two child care centres while following Covid-19 prevention guidelines (physical body distancing and masking).
• All volunteers have been given face masks to prevent the spread of the virus.
• School have been partially opened since Covid-19 hit the nation on March 23, 2020. Final grades in Primary, Secondary and Tertiary education have been in progress for two weeks now and there is no evidence of high Covid-19 spread due to the opening of the schools.

Using Tailoring Skills to Fight Covid-19

For many years now, one of the initiatives of FVM has been to empower women by teaching them tailoring and entrepreneurship skills.  With the donation of several sewing machines, women have been learning tailoring skills with the intention of gaining economic self sufficiency.  The Covid-19 pandemic has provided a unique opportunity for the tailoring group to meet an important need in the community- masks!  Just as some of you have been learning how to sew masks, the women in Malawi have been busy learning how to sew masks that are being used in the community.  This has been a win-win situation as it has allowed for the enhancing of our tailoring program, as well as has helped in the fight against Covid-19!

IN THE COMMUNITY...

• The four boreholes provided to Chief Taulo’s area have been officially handed over to the community by Government officials.  The gathering served as an opportunity to also share important information to the community in regards to Covid-19.
• 30 members of Water Point Users Committees and chiefs were trained on basic borehole maintenance. 
• Community Bible Study sessions resumed and 6 sessions have been conducted within one month.
• Community members worked on a communal cassava garden.

Wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving!  We have much to be thankful for.