Imagine having a baby in the middle of a famine. Now imagine having triplets in that same situation.
A year ago, our partners in Malawi, Iris Africa, told us about a set of triplets who were born into that scenario. And we have good news to share!
David Morrison, director of Iris Africa, shared this update with us:
A year ago I wrote about a set of triplets who were born in the midst of famine and hunger. Their father was already struggling to find food for his four older children when the triplets arrived. He came to me with their three tiny hats and their medical books as proof, and we were able to help with some baby formula to help them get through the nights and some MannaPack to support the mother’s health. Since then we have come to know this amazing family. The father always comes with a gift, some maize from his garden or some leafy greens. He is a hard worker who firmly believes in giving his first fruits to those in need. We have been able to support them regularly by providing MannaPack meals. While there have been plenty of struggles, all three triplets have survived.
Surviving is different from thriving. Sadly, many children in our region barely survive which means that their bodies are alive, but there are lots of physical losses which cannot be recovered. Children in our region often have very weak teeth for instance. Mental growth is delayed causing problems with memory and learning. Eye and skin infections are very common. This is partly caused by insufficient nutrients at an early age.
We are so thankful to be able to support families such as the Dunkalo’s with their 7 children. They work hard in the garden and only come when every other plan has failed. On our last visit, it was good to see the children smiling and interacting with each other. There is real love in this family, and though the kids are dressed in rags, they know they are loved. Love and food go a long way to move a child from surviving to thriving. Please continue to send this incredible life line which deeply impacts the lives of children here in southern Malawi.
Feeding nations of hungry people wouldn’t be possible without partnerships. For years now, we have had the honor of partnering with Iris Africa, located in Bangula in the most southern district of Malawi. Southern Malawi experiences regular crop failure due to extreme high temperatures, sporadic rains, and at times seasonal flooding due to rain run-off from higher elevations. Food security is a constant issue among the people of the Nsanje District. Most people are subsistence farmers and live off a dollar a day. Malaria is prevalent year-round.
Each month, Iris Africa distributes food that we send. Those receiving the food include the elderly, people sick with HIV/AIDs, widows, orphans, the blind and disabled. The majority of these households include grandmothers who are caring for their orphaned grandchildren.
Iris Africa continually evaluates beneficiaries to ensure that they qualify for this program. At the same time, training programs are offered in areas such as farming, healthy living and life skills to help people move out of poverty and into a more sustainable future.
This work wouldn’t be possible without people like you who partner with us, so we can send food and supplies. So, we want to share with you a letter we received from David Morrison:
Thank you for sending the containers of MannaPack meals! The Lord has positioned us in the southern district of Malawi to care for the vulnerable poor. The food security situation has improved thanks to last year’s harvest, but many children still suffer with hunger here in Malawi, one of the poorest countries in the world. Life continues to be a struggle for elderly widows caring for their orphaned grandchildren, the blind, the lame, single parent families, and the sick. Iris Africa has the privilege of serving these precious people, and extending the grace of our Lord Jesus to them. This task is overwhelming at times, but we continue to do what we know, following the example of Jesus to love the one in front of us.
Thank you very much for providing MannaPack fortified rice-soy meals for the people of Malawi. You have trusted us with the opportunity to bless the poor. By working together, we can make a difference, one child at a time.
Thank you for helping us send food to our partners like Iris Africa. But let’s do more. Click the donate button below and together we can feed more families like the Dunkalo’s.
