Faith-Based Organization Empowers Orphans, Widows, and Youth in Malawi
Faith-based group empowers orphans, widows, and youth in Blantyre, writes Happy Valirani.
Malawi- The Living Word of God, a faith-based organization founded in 2008 by Apostle James Genesis, is changing the lives of orphans, widows, and youth in and around Ndirande's Zion Market in Blantyre, writes Happy Valirani.
In addition to providing spiritual guidance, the organization has been empowering and supporting vulnerable groups, including orphans, people with disabilities, and those living with HIV.
"When I started the ministry in 2008, I realized there were a lot of challenges in this area, a development that led to the establishment of the orphanage in 2012 to cater for the needs of the orphans and other vulnerable groups and be able to meet some of their socio-economic problems," disclosed Apostle Genesis.
Since its establishment, over 750 people, including children and orphans, have benefited from various initiatives such as early childhood development, feeding programs, home-based care, and HIV/AIDS awareness in seven surrounding villages.
Agness Mtaika, a widow who has benefited from the widows' program at the orphanage, expressed her gratitude, saying, "I lost my husband in 2013, so I was approached by the Director of Living Word organization to join my fellow widows. As widows, we encourage each other to love and share the word of God, so my life has really changed for the better."
Zelipha Mkolimba, one of the elderly women at the orphanage, echoed Mtaika's sentiments, stating that the elderlies' program provided her with start-up capital for a small-scale business, which is helping her support her grandchildren.
Through the youth empowerment program, the Living Word of God organization is providing vocational skills training in welding, plumbing, tailoring, carpentry, joinery, and mechanics to the youth of Ndirande and surrounding villages, as well as paying school fees for over six secondary school students.
According to the founder of the organization, all these initiatives are being implemented with resources from well-wishers and church contributions, despite financial challenges. The organization is also planning to construct a village to accommodate the homeless.
"We have been greatly affected by tropical cyclone Freddy, as the building that housed some orphans collapsed, including our office. However, we are not sitting idle. We have quickly maintained some damaged parts of the buildings so that our operations can continue while we wait to build a permanent home. Our priority is always the people we serve here at the facility," revealed the founder.
According to Apostle Genesis, the organization has already identified land for the construction of permanent homes, and fundraising activities have already begun to raise funds for the construction works.