The wife to the Malawi’s Vice President Mary Chilima is calling all Malawians, donors locally and abroad to urgently channeling their resources into Habitat For Humanity Malawi (HFHM)’s “Abwezi Anthu OVC Project”, in rescuing vulnerable families especially those with young children in having decent houses for their well-being.
The appeal has come in responding to HFHM’s financial request from the general public for the 2014-2018 strategic plan of reaching over 750 OVC families with full houses and ventilated improved latrines
Since, 2009, the organization has rescued over 1,120 vulnerable families especially child-headed families with 300 houses in Salima,Mulanje, Mzimba, Lilongwe, Blantyre and Chinkhwawa as the current report reveals that about 78% of families in Malawi live in substandard housing.
The 17 year-old Ludiya Chingaipe of Kamphatenga in the lake shore district Salima is one of such beneficiaries of a 4-roomed house worthy MK2 million (US$ 4, 600) HFHM belt in which together with her four siblings are living.
“At my age I’m still in Standard 6 while some of my friends are in colleges. This is due to lack of proper housing which made us destitute and homeless after the death of parents some years ago till HFHM rescues our predicament with the decent house which was belt for us.
“With the new home offered, life is normal plus financial support we gate from them that my dreams to become a nurse has been revived”, hopes Ludiya when speaking to Maravi Post upon enquiring on how life has been without proper housing.
Under the theme, “What will you build?”, HFHM organized the fundraising on dinner Friday, June 26, 2015 in the capital Lilongwe which attracted business captains, governmental officials, politicians and charitable organizations in a bid to raise fund for the implementation of its 2014-2018 plan.
Speaking in an interview with The Maravi Post after gracing the event, Madam Chilima expressed sadness over the current situation of poor housing among Malawians saying most affected were children resulting school drop outs.
“It’s disheartening to learn that most families in Malawi are living in substandard houses with characterized by mud walls and grass thatched. Children are the most victims of such which end up in dropping school before their dreams are realized. We have much resources which can improve our fellow sisters, nieces, brothers living in these condition with oneness.
“This is the reason I’m calling all Malawians of good will, those in Diaspora and other charitable organization to support the good course HFHM initiated to alleviate vulnerable families. Let, me pledge here that close of this strategic plan, I will build my own house for a particular family. If we want more blessings from God, then let’s support unprivileged ones”, urges Chilima.
Later, the Maravi Post caught up with Jallison Chaguluka, HFHM Board Chair who said the decent houses demand for vulnerable families especially child-headed was very alarming with over 1.4 million orphans on the card due to HIV/AID pandemic which has claimed parents living them homeless and destitute.
“The demand for decent houses among vulnerable families is so huge especially child-headed families due effects of HIV/AIDS pandemic. We need to do something about the situation by partnering with us on any amount to reach more people”, appeals Chaguluka.
Habitat for Humanity Malawi (HFHM) which was established in 1986, is a non-profit Christian housing organization affiliated to Habitat for Humanity International headquartered in Atlanta, USA aimed at provision of shelter in eliminating poverty and improving the lives of orphans and vulnerable groups in the country.
HFHM’s interventions programs including improved housing and trainings on malaria and HIV prevention , entrepreneurships and vocation skills, property and inheritance through funding from tithe donations and corporate partners such as SOS Children’s Village Malawi, Sitho Group of Companies, Michelle Ren Cole of USA, FDH Bank, Henwood Foundation, Opportunity Bank of Malawi among others.
