M'koko orphanage
While working and living in Nsanje I do see a lot of poverty around me. I wish I could help everything and everybody, but unfortunately that is not possible. But still, I want to contribute something to this country, more then only the work I’m doing where I’m paid for.
During and AIDS & HIV awareness day I met George. George is a young priest, he runs together with his father a church in Makoko an area 15 km south of Nsanje boma, where I live. Next to the church, George and his father are also running a local organization; Hope for the Communities Faith Based Organization. They feed and support widows, elders and disabled and supporting farmers who lost their harvest. All with only the support from the local community. Recently they also had an orphanage. But due to terrible bad luck they had to shut this down. In 2004 their only donor died and they didn’t succeed in finding a new donor. Thereby was part of the buildings of the orphanage destroyed by a storm and landslide. This meant the end of the orphanage. They continued feeding and supporting costs for school for orphans till 2012, but then the money was gone and the children had to take care of themselves.
The amount of orphans and half orphans in the area of Makoko is huge. This due to the high percentage of people infected with the HIV-virus. Estimated is that 18 % of the community is effected, but the real amount of infected people can be much higher. The only people who are tested are pregnant women who have access to a hospital. Thereby is probably a lot of the children whose parents are infected by HIV or have died of AIDS infected themselves.
Most of the children are surviving with illegal chopping and selling of wood. A tough living and punishable, but they do not have a lot of choice. Because of the isolated area, close to the border with Mozambique there are not a lot of (international) organizations active in the area. The only help the orphans get is from the community and people like George and his father.
I have been thinking a lot about this project and after a lot discussions with George and visits to the former orphanage I decided I am going to help building a new orphanage.
At the moment I am busy to help George to write a new business plan for the orphanage. Not only for the building of the orphanage, but also for the long term. What do they want to achieve in 5 years? How are they going to manage the orphanage, feed the children, take care they go to school? How to maintain the buildings and last but not least; how to find more donors? When we are ready writing I will share the details on the By Nature website!
But for now some of the facts of the orphanage:
In July 2013 we are planning to start with constructing of the 2 sleeping-buildings. The kitchen and community buildings are still intact. To realize the 2 building there is need for €5500,- In October 2013 the finishing of the construction is planned. After the realizations of the building George and his father will be needing another €10.000,- for the finishing, materials, food, clothing, computer etc. In March 2014 everything will be finished for the children. So in total we will be needing €15.500,- in a year time to start the orphanage. Quite a lot of money. But beginning at the start: €5500,-for the construction of the buildings.
All donation to support this project are welcome. Gifts can be deposited on the account number of By Nature account: 254764924
During and AIDS & HIV awareness day I met George. George is a young priest, he runs together with his father a church in Makoko an area 15 km south of Nsanje boma, where I live. Next to the church, George and his father are also running a local organization; Hope for the Communities Faith Based Organization. They feed and support widows, elders and disabled and supporting farmers who lost their harvest. All with only the support from the local community. Recently they also had an orphanage. But due to terrible bad luck they had to shut this down. In 2004 their only donor died and they didn’t succeed in finding a new donor. Thereby was part of the buildings of the orphanage destroyed by a storm and landslide. This meant the end of the orphanage. They continued feeding and supporting costs for school for orphans till 2012, but then the money was gone and the children had to take care of themselves.
The amount of orphans and half orphans in the area of Makoko is huge. This due to the high percentage of people infected with the HIV-virus. Estimated is that 18 % of the community is effected, but the real amount of infected people can be much higher. The only people who are tested are pregnant women who have access to a hospital. Thereby is probably a lot of the children whose parents are infected by HIV or have died of AIDS infected themselves.
Most of the children are surviving with illegal chopping and selling of wood. A tough living and punishable, but they do not have a lot of choice. Because of the isolated area, close to the border with Mozambique there are not a lot of (international) organizations active in the area. The only help the orphans get is from the community and people like George and his father.
I have been thinking a lot about this project and after a lot discussions with George and visits to the former orphanage I decided I am going to help building a new orphanage.
At the moment I am busy to help George to write a new business plan for the orphanage. Not only for the building of the orphanage, but also for the long term. What do they want to achieve in 5 years? How are they going to manage the orphanage, feed the children, take care they go to school? How to maintain the buildings and last but not least; how to find more donors? When we are ready writing I will share the details on the By Nature website!
But for now some of the facts of the orphanage:
- The village is called Mulirai, in Traditional Area Makoko, Nsanje District;
- The orphanage can provide shelter for 108 children;
- The age of the children is from 3 till 16;
- 50% will be boys, 50% girls;
- All children from age 5 will go to the local primary school;
- Thereby the orphanage is going to feed and support school for the half-orphans in the village.
In July 2013 we are planning to start with constructing of the 2 sleeping-buildings. The kitchen and community buildings are still intact. To realize the 2 building there is need for €5500,- In October 2013 the finishing of the construction is planned. After the realizations of the building George and his father will be needing another €10.000,- for the finishing, materials, food, clothing, computer etc. In March 2014 everything will be finished for the children. So in total we will be needing €15.500,- in a year time to start the orphanage. Quite a lot of money. But beginning at the start: €5500,-for the construction of the buildings.
All donation to support this project are welcome. Gifts can be deposited on the account number of By Nature account: 254764924
