Pride

Yes, I am so proud of these women: beaten and battered by geography, society, culture, Aid, AIDS and lack of education, they have come out fighting and smiling every time. These types of women are the real hope for Malawi, women of substance and true grit.
Four years ago we started working with a group of about 20 of the poorest women, by inviting them to a meeting and asking them what we could do to help them with their plans. We began, at their request, with netball then knitting clubs, homework for our past students. Then they looked for assistance with, what we call Adult Education, like literacy, numeracy, health, and now we have moved to finance, enterprise, education and farming.
They wanted to start classes at Standard 1 as most had never gone to school: Now about 8 have begun secondary education. We set up what is called a Women's self help group, with our allies at SJOG Mental health services. They have come together, chatted, saved and lent to each other. Doing small business they have moved-on at a pace. ALL WITHOUT ANY EXTERNAL financial input!!. We have employed a horticulturalist to work with them in acquiring every little bit of available space to plant food. They have harvested and sold most of their first crop. Here today are some tomato. No time to waste they have cultivated again, aiming for 3 crops this year.
They are now feeding themselves, sending their kids to school with uniforms and fees. They are moving towards self sufficiency.
We gave them the seeds, seeds we grew on our own farms, something they will be able to do, without Monsanto's Genetic modification. Without artificial fertilizer and without noxious chemicals.
We are a great team and we love each other.
Good enough to make my day!!