Wongani's Hope

A few days ago I shared a blog post about helping people regardless of nationality. If you have not read it yet, I encourage you to read it now. 

http://www.incourage.me/2011/06/what-about-the-kids-in-our-own-country.html

Periodically in our lives we are invited by Jesus to do something big, life changing for all involved. However, I love how the author above states, "But nearly every other day, he issues the invitation for me to stay home, to make dinner, to love my husband, to lead a small group, to see my neighbors, to love my city. I don’t always take that invitation seriously. But it is no less important."

I find myself in the smaller, no less important, invitations. Which is why when I see someone close to me accept one of those big, life changing invitations I feel a wave of emotions. Fear, of the unknown that they are embarking on. Jealousy, of their ability and willingness to accept such scary invitations. Amazed, at the grace and love being shown. Sad, that I don't feel called to do something so big. Relieved, that I'm not. Guilt, over my relief.

Beka  has been called to do something big. Something life changing. A few years ago Beka went to Malawi, Africa. During her time there she volunteered for the organization Ministry of Hope which runs two crisis nurseries for orphaned babies. It was at the nursery that Beka felt called to action. 

Many babies in Malawi are abandoned by their parents because they don't have the means to care for them, they are convinced the baby is cursed, or their parents have HIV/Aids.A lucky few get to go to the crisis nursery where wonderful people like Beka care for them until they are two years old. When they turn two they get released from the nurseries and go join their families.

This sounds like it should be a happy day, and for a few it is. For the majority it is not. Many families are not happy to see their little one return. They feel the burden of another mouth to feed. In fact, one in eight children under the age of five are dying. Malnutrition levels remain high and account for about half of all child deaths!

During Beka's first trip to Africa she cared for a little boy  named Wongani. She fell in love with this little guy.

Wongani was sent home to live with his father and eight siblings when he was fourteen months old. He was a very happy, healthy little boy! Four months after his return home, when the nursery caregivers checked up on him he was so weak from malnourishment that he could no longer walk or talk. He was able to come back to the nursery for awhile but unfortunately had to be sent back home once he turned two. There are many stories like Wongani's. It was through his story that Beka found inspiration to start Wongani's Hope.

Wongani's Hope is a non-profit organization that Beka founded in order to build a crisis center  for children 2-5 years old. Wongani's Hope will provide a safe place for babies who are discharged out of the nursery. Beka has been to Malawi several times now. Each time she's made progress on her crisis center. Recently, she just purchased the three acres that the center will be on. She'll be leaving again soon for a six month stay during which she will try to get water and power to her land. She'll start a garden on part of the land, while she works on getting the appropriate paperwork and permits completed so that she can begin building. 
Wongani's Hope will be such a blessing for these children who have so little. There are so many children that have been sent home, to conditions unimaginable to starve physically and emotionally. A place like Wongani's Hope would have helped baby Blackstone.

He looks chubby, but that's just how swollen he is!

This little boy is Blackstone. In this picture he is 28 months old, but he was unable to crawl, walk, or talk. His family was told by a witch doctor that he was cursed because his mother died during birth. Even though they believed this, his family took him away from the crisis nursery when he was just 7 months old. While being cared for by his family he had only gained five pounds. He hadn't been to a doctor/clinic for at least 6 months and he was extremely malnourished and sick with malaria among other things. All of the other children in the home were well fed and healthy. Beka was able to get him back in the nursery for a short time but as of today he has been back with his family for at least 10 months now. Beka wrote to me,"I hope he is still alive."
Hope in it's most desperate form.

Below is a picture of Naomi while at the nursery.

This is Naomi after she went home.

How desperately these kids need somewhere safe to go when they leave the nursery. 

How can we help here at home? Indulgences in West Richland approached Beka and offered to host a BBQ fundraiser on Friday, June 17th at 6:30pm. The BBQ dinner is $5 a person and 100% of this goes to Wongani's Hope (non-profit organization). Bring yourself and a lawn chair! Beka will give a short presentation on Wonagani's Hope and then Indulgences will be providing entertainment afterward. Please come, hear Wongani's story, support Beka and all the wonderful things that God is doing through her.

If you live out of town or can't make the fundraiser, please prayerfully consider donating to Wongani's Hope. You can send donations through Beka's church.

Mabton Grace Brethren- Pastor Paul Guay

428 B Street, P.O. Box 216

Mabton, WA 98935

* In the Memo line please write Malawi *

In the future Beka plans to have a more direct path for donations

Below are pictures that Beka took during her trips to Malawi.

A young girl who's carrying her two week old brother on her back. I can't imagine letting a girl so young carry my newborn! Babies raising babies, breaks my heart.

Look at this cutie pie!

Babies in the nursery where Beka worked.

A home to one of the babies from the nursery.

Some new cribs the nursery got while Beka was there!

This site has lots of good information about Malawi babies.
http://motherchildnutrition.org/malnutrition/about-malnutrition/anthropometric-definitions-of-malnutrition.htmlhttp://www.unicef.org/malawi/children.html