You are making a difference.
Friday, May 23, 2014
Good Luck!!!!
To everyone at Waikanae School participating this weekend in the 40 hour famine - THANK YOU!!!
You are making a difference.
You are making a difference.
Marty's Trip to Malawi
Visting Malawi was a trip of a lifetime. I've now turned me into the guy who tells everyone they need to go to Africa at least once in their life as it's given me perspective on how lucky we really are in little old NZ.
My first impressions of Malawi upon arrival were somewhat what I expected based on the "Africa" stereotype, average roading, dry baron looking land, basic housing etc. But what I didn't expect was the overwhelming friendliness and warmth from the local people. There's a reason Malawi is called the warm heart of Africa and it isn't because of the scorching sun.
This was a real underlying theme for me during the trip, although we saw and experienced some dire situations, the people stayed the same, warm, friendly and welcoming.
A real highlight for me during my trip was meeting my sponsor child, Anafi. It was the most amazing experience seeing the boy from the photo on my fridge in real life, meeting his family and community he lived in.
I gave him a few gifts such as a Man United football jersey, a school bag, sunglasses and a few other luxury items, but out of all the things I gave him, he was most excited about his new school books. He'd never had any of his own.
The most basic things that we take for granted like clean water made all the difference to Anafi and his community. Clean water for example makes a huge impact a communities health and in the case of Anafi, make sure he doesn't have an upset stomach so he can absorb all the nutrients from his food and grow like you and I.
A huge realisation for me during the trip was learning how World Vision used the money we raise to help places in need like Malawi. Instead of buying large amounts of corn to feed the farmers, they teach them basic agriculture skills so that they can increase their harvest. Rather than give out money, they teach communities how to be better at managing the money they have and how to invest that money to benefit themselves.
My first impressions of Malawi upon arrival were somewhat what I expected based on the "Africa" stereotype, average roading, dry baron looking land, basic housing etc. But what I didn't expect was the overwhelming friendliness and warmth from the local people. There's a reason Malawi is called the warm heart of Africa and it isn't because of the scorching sun.
Marty receives a gift from his sponsored child, Anafi.
A huge realisation for me during the trip was learning how World Vision used the money we raise to help places in need like Malawi. Instead of buying large amounts of corn to feed the farmers, they teach them basic agriculture skills so that they can increase their harvest. Rather than give out money, they teach communities how to be better at managing the money they have and how to invest that money to benefit themselves.
I feel hugely passionate about raising awareness and money for Malawi this year because i've seen first hand how much they need our help. I think we should feel lucky that we're in a situation that we can help others, and I hope that by reading this I've inspired you to join the 40 hour famine with me this year and help raise money for warm heart of Africa, Malawi.
Sunday, May 11, 2014
Click on the Link to join the Waikanae School Group online....
Click here to be taken straight to the website where you can join our Waikanae School Group. Any online donations made will appear against our account and show our progress towards our $5000 goal.
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