An African-American Woman’s View Point
When I arrived in Malawi I felt like I had flown over 7,000 miles all the way from South Carolina to arrive again in South Carolina. The native South Carolinians and the Malawi people are like one. They are genuine and loving people just like I have always known it as a child born in South Carolina in the Phillip's Community.
I can identify with no electricity, running water, no indoor toilet, going to the woods to cut wood to use for cooking, heating and bathing. I can also identify with being poor. There were so many times when my Mom, alone with 11 children and no food, would bless the empty table that we sat at for dinner, and before dark dinner would show up. It was truly my mother’s faith that helped her to raise 11 children, 4 of them with Sickle Cell Anemia.
She will always be my hero for her tenacity and great faith and determination.
I see my Mom here everyday in the eyes of the women and even the men as they work so hard to survive.
What I knew as poverty was great wealth compared to the poverty of the 21st century Malawians of 2008 vs my 1950’s & 60’s experience.
I have seen so many people from so many countries who have given of their time and even all of their worldly possessions to come and help the Malawian people here, but I see only a handful of African Americans in Malawi. I would like to encourage more African Americans to come and be here for more than 2 weeks to 1 month to stay and help encourage and empower the people.
The Malawian women are for the most part laid back and unmotivated. Since the Women’s group has been meeting they want to purchase a mini bus to do ministry in the village and to have transportation in general.
They have embarked upon their first fund raiser which include a native treat called “samosa” this is a pastry filled with a very tasty beef mixture and cupcakes. They will need to sell lots of samosas to raise about 1 million kwatcha to buy a used minibus in good condition. Right now 1 US dollar is about K148 kwatchas.
So much is needed here.The month of May started the winter season and it will last until September,many have no winter clothes, shoes, coats, blankets, hats or gloves. Many die because of malaria caused by mosquitoes. Rainy season starts November and will last through May and the mosquitoes will be multiplying. The clinic can save many lives.
The people have faith that God will provide for them. Many are encouraged that
God has not forgotten then.
On the front page of the daily newspaper the Malawi president said, “God Is On My Side”. He stated this to express that God will help him do the work of caring for the Malawian people.
Will you join your faith and prayers with that of the Malawian people and help them in their day to day life with your support.
There is so much that you can do. Ask God to show you what He wants to do to help and then obey that without wavering or doubting.
Thank you for being a partner my partner on a mission.
Matthew 9:35-38 "Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."
Keep me in your prayers. Prayer, fasting, travailing and weeping for the Malawian people is how I make it from day to day. God has been so good. He has been so faithful and true.
Rosetta
Rosetta Swinton, RN, FCN
TO DONATE ONLINE by check or credit card:
Rose Of Sharon Project - Malawi Africa (funds donated here is used for room
& board and transportation) http://rosettaswinton.weebly.com - donate
online with secured Paypal
Caring Community Development Coalition, Inc
http://caringcdc.com - (donate online with secured Paypal - Tax deductible )
( Funds donated here build clinic, provide medicine and needs for Malawians)
Channel 5 News Link for A Glimpse Of Africa Interview:
http://www.live5news.com/global/video/popup/pop_playerLaunch.asp?vt1=v&clipFormat=flv&clipId1=3180266&at1=News&h1=A glimpse of
Africa
To mail donations
PO Box 669
Mt. Pleasant, SC 29465
(843) 856-5060
Africa:
PO Box 3185
Blantyre, Malawi
+265 5 215 452
Caring Community Development Coalition, Inc
Where Caring Is Nurtured
