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The Warm Heart of Africa

Posted on Monday, July 27, 2009 in Uncategorized

Malawi- The Warm Heart of Africa

FACTS

19 million total population

10 million people under 18 years of age

1.6 million orphaned or vulnerable children

1 million children have lost one or both parents to AIDS

50% of the population lives below the poverty line

25% of the population lives in extreme poverty

Despite the obstacles, God has ALWAYS called and empowered His people to change existing spiritual and socio-economic conditions through committed prayer and action. The Malawi Montessori Project began as an initiative to bring a Christian Montessori School Model to Malawi.

Education is one of the 7 pillars of society. We are here to positively impact the education system of the nation. “The child is both the hope and promise for mankind.” -Dr. Maria Montessori  We believe that the Montessori philosophy and methodology, in its purest form, honors both the child, the family, and the teacher and allows for all to reach their full potential.

Through the eyes of Christ, we see children as our greatest gift and our greatest example.

“Let the little children come to Me…for of such is the kingdom of God.” Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” -Mark 10:14-15.

“Therefore whoever humbles himself as a little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.”- Matthew 18:4-5

May we always value and care for the gift God has given us.

Mission Accomplished! Thank You Everyone!

Posted on Friday, July 24, 2009 in Uncategorized

Dear Friends and Family,

Thank you for your commitment to making a difference for the children of Ndirande, Malawi!  The results of this year on mission are listed below. It was an exception year!  The Malawian National Anthem, which is sung as a prayer to God, identifies the three enemies to Malawi as hunger, disease and envy.  

With 74% of the population being below the poverty line (living on less than $1.25 a day), 930,000 people with HIV/AIDS, and 550,000 orphans our accomplishments seem small. But by investing in and developing leaders in Malawi, it is our commitment to expand what is possible for the children. I have taken out the word “orphan” from the documents of the Malawi Montessori Project because it is a word now beginning to be used by some as a marketing tool to collect funds both in the US and Malawi. Our job is not to use the children, but to provide for them. I believe our job is to remove the label of “orphan” and give them a new name and a new future.

God adopted us and calls us His children. He has given us a new future, an inheritance, a new family, and a new name. I understand that the word “orphan” must be used by agencies as a measurement tool, but coming from a special education background, I am aware of the effects of labeling. I will be refering to the children we are committed to helping as kids impacted by poverty.

There are many children in Malawi with parents or guardians who are unable to provide for them despite their dedicated efforts.  I believe the family is the best structure that Jesus has given us to provide for all children and the church’s job is to support the family to do this job well.  I have included the specific results of the Malawi Montessori Project below. May you all be blessed abundantly by your love and contributions to this mission! Jesus rocks without exception.  These are His results.

Malawi Montessori Project (Established January 2008) Committed to educating the future leaders of Malawi

  • Established the first Montessori Primary School in Ndirande, Malawi. (July 08) Serving 43 children impacted by poverty.
  • Trained 118 teachers and directors at 12 local orphan care centers in teaching, business skills, and leadership.
  • Trained 16 teachers through Teacher Internship Program-intensive practical week of teacher training within a classroom.
  • Established Africa ABC Project: By 10/08 10 local community based orphan care centers will have received educational artwork/materials and on site teacher training.
  • Hosting four mission trips (21 participants total) in order to educate other about the AIDS pandemic and the issues surrounding children impacted by poverty.
These results were produced by my Malawian team.
 
There is no better investment than investing in the
 lives of others.
 
Love, Maribeth
 

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