Relief 2023

As we drive into Kwanjana, we see maize everywhere. Almost every day it rains, a blessing for all crops. But if we look closely, we notice that there seem to be two different types of maize. Dark green and light green. Soon we know the reason for this. The people who have dark green maize on their land have used fertiliser. This maize looks good and promising. The people who have the light green maize on their land, which looks a lot less nice, cannot afford fertiliser.

It is a very difficult time in Malawi, including for people in Kwanjana. After cyclone Ana, most people have not been able to harvest much because part of the crop has been destroyed. The price of maize is incredibly high at the moment. And the price of fertiliser has skyrocketed, most people cannot afford it, so they sow maize, without using fertiliser, knowing that the harvest is likely to be disappointing again. The outlook is not good, and people are suffering. They are hungry, and not hopeful for this year.

We stop our car and take a look at family Moffat.

She was able to harvest 3 bags of maize last April. That is little. That's enough for 3 months, for their family. While they need maize for the whole year. Other years, they could still sell some of their maize, but now they already knew they wouldn't even have enough for their own family. After their own maize ran out, around July, they could still do some work here and there, from which they could then buy a bit of maize each time. But in October, hunger set in. The work became less and less, the maize more and more expensive and the food less and less. Fortunately, the mango season started which helped them survive these months. Every day they ate cooked mangoes for lunch or dinner. And that was then their food for the day. But the mangoes are getting fewer and fewer, and the hunger is getting bigger. We can hardly imagine. Surviving on mangoes for a few months now. And then having no money to buy fertiliser for the next harvest. Because the price has skyrocketed, two years ago fertiliser was €21 last year €40 and this year it has gone up to €75. So most people have not used fertiliser this year and don't know what the new harvest will bring them. The rain is good this year, so it is their prayer that this will still allow them to harvest some.

And then there is cholera in Malawi, also in Kwanjana. Through contaminated water, or contaminated food. Most people know the advice. Wash hands with soap and put chlorine in the water. But hardly anyone does that. Not because they don't want to, but because they can't afford to. No money for food is no money for soap. No money for chlorine. No money for their health.

We visit a few more families. And almost everywhere we hear the same harrowing stories. No more maize, mangoes are running out, no fertiliser, no chlorine. We hear the hopelessness, but also how they pray to God, where their only hope can come from. No matter how hopeless everything seems to be. With a lump in our throats, we drive out of Kwanjana. What shall we say? Our help is from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. Could we find funds for our beloved people in Kwanjana again this year? With all the financial worries, devaluations, wars and crises worldwide? The Lord knows. We give the people of Kwanjana a voice so that their cry is heard. Please help us, also this year!

We want to help 500 families with a survival kit that includes food, soap and chlorine. We want to give them 1 time relief in January and 1 in February so that they can survive these difficult months. Every year, it is invaluable for people to be able to get through these most difficult months until harvest. For some, truly a difference between life and death.

The beauty of when we hand out these packets is that we can also always share God's Word, with the prayer that that too may bear fruit in their hearts.

Would you also like to help a family in Kwanjana?

Due to increased costs, a complete package now costs €40.

For many families, such a package really is a difference between life and death.

We want to help 500 families with a survival kit that includes food, soap and chlorine. We want to give them 1 emergency aid in January and 1 in February so that they can survive these difficult months. Every year, it is invaluable for people to be able to get through these most difficult months until harvest. For some truly a difference between life and death.As we hand out these packets, it is so beautiful and valuable that we can also share God's Word. With the prayer that that too may bear fruit in their hearts.

Will you also help a family in Kwanjana through these difficult months? Click here to make a donation. Thank you very much in advance!

Update 6 februari 2023

Today we were able to give the first emergency relief for this year. When we arrived at the centre, many people were already waiting for us. We started with prayer and reading a Bible passage from Matthew 7, where we then reflected on verse 9. We as humans want to give our children the best, but the Lord gives so much more, not always as we like, but He knows what is best for us.

We reminded them again about the dangers of cholera and also how to use chlorine. We pointed out to them the use of natural manure, which can be put to good use, especially when fertilisers are so expensive. Besides, it is also better for the land.

Then we distributed the food parcels. What joy among the people. What a relief for them in this difficult time. Thank you very much to everyone who contributed to this! A great blessing for the people of Kwanjana! May God bless you!

We hope to give emergency relief again in a few weeks, so that they have food until the new harvest. Donations are still welcome!