Upendo Children's Village: A beacon of hope for vulnerable children in Malawi
In the heart of Mzuzu, in northern Malawi, a small organization is making a big impact on the lives of vulnerable children.
Malawi: In the heart of Mzuzu, in northern Malawi, a small organization is making a big impact on the lives of vulnerable children, writes Tionge Hara.
Founded by a dedicated volunteer couple, the organization is dedicated to providing a loving home and quality care to children who are either in need or have lost their parents to disease, poverty, or other circumstances.
Despite facing many challenges and setbacks, the organization remains committed to its mission and is making a positive difference in the lives of these countless children in need.
Upendo Children's Village is a non-profit organization located in Mzuzu, Area 4. Founded in 2011 by Bishop Samuel Mkisi and Pastor Florence Mkisi, the organization is helping to give these children a chance at a brighter future, providing them with the support they need to thrive and grow.
The Village consists of four houses - Churchville, Martin, Bethel, and Nicole - and currently houses 62 children.
In addition to caring for the children, the Village emphasizes the importance of education and offers part-time classes to help the children perform well in school.
As a result, 90% of the children in the village who are in various schools passed their end-of-term examinations in December 2022, with many of them ranking in the top 5.
The village's ultimate goal is to establish a fully operational primary and secondary school to help reduce illiteracy in the country and promote education around the world.
According to Francis Chitambuli, the Village’s communications officer, the village does this because every parent wants to see their children receive a good education and be healthy.
In addition to education, the Village also promotes good health and hygiene, child rights, and security on campus through a fence and sporting activities every Friday.
Madalitso Banda, one of the children in the Village, expressed her appreciation for the founders and their great initiative, stating that she and her fellow children are doing well in school because of them.
It’s clear that the small non-profit organization Upendo Children's Village, founded by Bishop Samuel Mkisi and Pastor Florence Mkisi, is making a positive impact on the lives of vulnerable children in Mzuzu, Malawi by providing them with a loving home and quality care, despite facing challenges and setbacks.