Malawi NAOC: Building Project
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NAOC Malawi, Africa Overview
I hope you recall that Noah's Ark Orphan Care or NAOC, was founded by Nancy Sisco, sponsored by (but separate from) Christian Church International (CCI), and is headquartered in Blantyre, Malawi. If this is your first visit to my Squidoo Lens, please check out my two other lenses for lots more details and photos on NAOC.
As a Faith Based (FBO) and Community Based Organization (CBO), we provide everything except a place to sleep for 73 children in Blantyre (Chirimba township). We assist 58 children in Metaketa, Zomba District. . NAOC has now expanded into Nchalo, where the needs of 30 orphans are being met. The program relies solely on the generosity of donors and sponsors (individuals, groups, businesses, churches, trusts, and foundations) thus far in the USA, Scotland, and Malawi.
Because of the HIV/Aids epidemic, the number of orphaned, and other vulnerable children needing assistance continued to increase. The house in Chirimba Township became increasingly too small!
Nancy began to pray and envisioned a new three-story multi-purpose building.
First, it would have to be large enough to have living space for her, her adopted Malawian daughter, Esther, and the four other orphans living with her.
Second, it would have classrooms, a library, an office, bathrooms, and an auditorium for music and drama presentations. Now, extra room for our pre-school kids will be considered for that floor.
Where would this lovely facility be located AND would enough money come in to begin the construction??
Michiru Mountain View
"Malawi's Heavenliest View"
Green, green, luscious and verdant green!
Pastor Nancy shares here, how the land happened to come into our hands:
"Several years ago, some friends in the States donated money to buy a piece of property, and a different parcel close to the current one was chosen and bought.
It contained a partially completed building. However, one day people were seen unloading a delivery of bricks to complete the building. Upon investigation, it was found there was a question of ownership. In negotiation, the currently owned property was offered in exchange.
Now we see God's hand in all of it, as this piece of land is far superior. It is quite a bit larger, sits high on a hill, and has views of the surrounding mountains from EVERY direction.
We praise Him, and through it all have learned to trust Him more and more."
Orphan Care Fundraising Can Be Fun!
Some of my Flickr photos were taken when Nancy and Esther were home here in beautiful Michigan this summer. Their ten weeks here were very full and quickly flew by, but SO much was accomplished.They went to doctor and dentist appointments, family and church gatherings, water parks and a zoo. Esther also celebrated her NINTH birthday!! :-)
They had several opportunities to share our progress with old friends, many donors and supporters, and also make new friends who were interested in helping the children at NAOC.
Maggie's hosting a "friends of NAOC" evening
Let the Work Begin in Blantyre
...or, "So they strengthened their hands for this good work." Neh:2:18b
During their summer visit in Flint 2007, Nancy met a young couple, Jeff and Sara Ryal, and their 11 year old daughter, Annamarie.Jeff is the Missions Coordinator for his church, Faith Tabernacle, and is also "coincidentally" in the CONSTRUCTION business.
YES, can you believe it? Is this a God-thing, or what?
He had traveled on many construction missions trips; seven times in Peru, and had also worked in Jamaica, Belize, and twice in the US Gulf Coast.
So while looking over the blueprints, he was eager to help with the project, and after praying began to plan to take his family to Malawi the very next summer, Lord willing.
(L to R:Tim, Annamarie, Sara & Jeff)
Americans in Malawi...
...falling in love with the " Warm Heart of Africa"
The Lord was VERY willing, and even had another hard-working young man, Tim Rosa, travel with them for their first five- week mission.Here's a link to Jeff and Sara's Blog from both of their trips( '08 and '09) to Malawi, and the latest on the adoption!
www.1-17.blogspot.com
Tim, Jeff and Sara at building site
NAOC Construction Well Underway!
Jeff and Tim worked alongside the Malawian crew...
...and that was quite a witness to the Malawians. They said, "Usually the Americans just watch!"
Keeping The NAOC Vision Real Back Home
Answered prayer: many generous donors stepped up to sponsor three terms for our primary kids at "Rose Garden Private School"!
Beginning In January 2009, in new uniforms, they attend all day classes with just 30 to 35 students, instead of 100.
Thank God for this great opportunity!
Private Schooling A Must...
...For a REAL Education
In most government schools in Malawi, children attend just four hours a day, it's only free to eighth grade, and textbooks were just available for the first time last year.
During rainy season It pours all day, every day, so kids are sent home...especially those that have class outside under a tree!
If children don't quickly gain a very good command of English, then ALL other subjects suffer immensely. The government has recently raised standards in education, but it will still take a long time to catch up.
P.S. Poll answer is on a sticky note on Noah's Ark Orphan Care lens.
Would you like to help support the children and building project at NAOC?
Donor info here:
NAOC is sponsored by (but separate from) Christian Church International headquartered in Flint, MI, USA.
All donations are tax exempt under CCI's 501-c3 status (during the process of gaining a 501-C3 for NAOC).
Checks made out to Christian Church International (for now) may be mailed to:
Noah's Ark Orphan Care
P. O. Box 13408
Flint, MI 48501
Thank you for your interest! :-)
NAOC News Update
As of 2/20/2009 the price of a 50kg. bag of maize has skyrocketed from K800 to now K4,421. That's over $32 per bag; we use one bag each week! Maize/nsema is the main staple of their diet. Donations received at this time count toward purchasing more maize before it shoots up again...and it will.
Stocking Up On Maize
Malawi Related News
Mostly good news, but sometimes...
- Madonna to build 30 new schools in Malawi
- When Madonna's donors recently told her they'd rather help as many Malawian children as possible; she chose to build 30 schools instead of only one for £10. Please read more here!
- Maize And/Or Legumes?
- While in Malawi, Sieglinde Snapp, a MSU agricultural researcher, observed that corn/maize needs lots of acreage, fertilizer, and water while providing minimal health benefits. Working with local farmers, they planted legumes that provide precious protein for people and makes it's own fertilizer! Please read more here & listen to the NPR story.
- The Construction Journal Hits Malawi Market
- Construction innovations and challenges for professionals and investors will be featured in this first-time-ever newspaper, says co-editor Antoinette Kalinde. Please read about it here:
- Malawi Parliament Passes Child Protection Bill
- New bill supports the best interests of children in protecting them from abduction, trafficking, and harmful cultural practices. Please read more here:
NAOC : Stateside Fellowship, Fun, and Focus
Fascinatin' Facts...
...and some cool links!
- Deforestation and Reforestation in Malawi, Africa
- Though we've begun a much needed building project for our children, we understand the problems with timber usage. A charity in the UK is working in Africa, and especially Malawi. Although they're covering many areas, deforestation/reforestation is high on their list of priorities since 2006. Please see their website.
- Construction Malawi Style
- I found this really nice blog that makes me miss my time in Malawi! Here's some snaps of typical brick building/burning "constructions". ;-) Please read on...
- Malawi Facts (Lake Malawi, Multi Party, Africa) @ Wretchedness.org
- The Republic of Malawi is a landlocked country in southeast Africa. It is bordered by Zambia to the northwest, Tanzania to the northeast and Mozambique, which surrounds it on the east, south and west and it is separated from Tanzania and Mozambique by…
Pastor Elisha Visits NAOC Building Site
Construction: Malawi Style
Via Email from Pastor Nancy
"These are the walls of the first floor. They have now reached to the top of the support columns.
Next the workers added the cement lintel. It's a layer of cement around the entire top of the building, with steel rods above the windows and doors.
Above that will be three or four rows of brick which will take us to the next cement slab...the ceiling/floor of the second floor.
The lighter colored bricks are the foundation, and the first floor begins where the darker bricks are added."
We use a lot of steel supports, which are very costly, but VERY necessary for safety!
Our work goes forward...
Our primary school children are sponsored at Rose Garden Private School, many more attend half day at government school. NAOC and our generous sponsors continue to meet their needs: food, clothing, medical needs, and MOST of all: sharing God's love.
Update on NAOC Building Project
...More building in progress!
Jeff Ryal is still in Malawi for a few more days, and has been working with the builders on the second floor at the site. He's hopeful of completing half of the ceiling/floor of 2nd story at this time. At least the very long steels are finally out of the hallway at Pastor's house!
Mrs. Majawa With 2nd & 3rd Grade NAOC Kids
NAOC News: We're Building Again!!
Second floor underway in Chirimba, well drilling in Metaketa.
Jeff and friends checking out the progress.
Malawian Ingenuity
Pastor Chisale Goes Solar
When Pastor Chisale in Metaketa was given a small TV/Video player, he was still without electricity. A challenge like that didn't stop him, and after some scrapping around, he was somehow able to hook up a small solar panel to a car battery. He thereby was the only house in his area to have lights, and a TV, AND he could even charge his cell phone.
There's apparently many Malawian folks, like the talented William Kamkwamba, who are very inventive...as in the old proverb, "Necessity is the mother of invention."
Depending on the funds, we're hoping to install much larger solar panels on our building, and wire it as we go!
NAOC October 2009 Newletter
Here's a building update!|
Per Pastor Nancy:
Our building project is progressing along, but very slowly. Just this week we finished putting the cement over the steels on l/2 of the ceiling/floor of the first/second floor (see photo in gallery). We will continue, of course, when money is available.
We do have a goal - of completely finishing the first and second floors so we can move there in 2010. We really do need the space - and know that we could even help more children at that location. However, because of you, we are very happy that we don't owe anything on what has been done this far! Thank-you, for all of you who have contributed!
We also are in the process of buying a large beautiful piece of property (see photo) adjoining our current site, and have big plans for that. We are hopeful of putting in some projects which will help in the support of Noah's Ark Orphan Care and also give work experience to our children. One is a maize mill, as there are none close by. Another is a small chicken farm, both for our food supply and for selling. Of course, we also want to have a large vegetable garden - for the same reasons. Our attorney is currently drawing up the contract and we will set a time to sign the papers and pay for the property. The money is ready, in the States, to be sent over. Again, thank-you, donors!
Property Purchase Finalized with Village Headman
"Green" Brick Building is Possible
"Wishin', and hopin', and plannin', and dreamin'..."
Choices: needful well drilling?...
...or security wall like this one?
Any Good Reports, Kudos, Bon Mots...
...and your name, of course!
Please leave your comments and kind thoughts for me here :-)
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MaxReily
Sep 21, 2011 @ 10:25 pm | delete
- What a wonderful lens, and a wonderful undertaking. May the work continue and grow! My daughter is working with a fellow librarian in Madagascar to provide books for school children there--the schools have none. They've managed to get one shipment there. People working to help people in Africa are doing some of the most valuable work in the world.
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Donnette
Jun 17, 2011 @ 9:20 am | delete
- Hello. Thought I would stop by while updating my Outreach Africa Lens. Thank you for putting this lens together. I do think that education and awareness are key in the resolution of any of the problems facing African countries today. When undertaken with the kind of love and dedication you show the results can only be exceptional~!!
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Cajean
Sep 22, 2011 @ 11:03 am | delete
- Thank you, Donette, for your interest and kind words! Guess I was away too, since I just saw your remark. :-) I need to update more often and hope to post very good news from Malawi soon.
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Tipi
Jun 2, 2011 @ 3:00 pm | delete
- This is definitely a labor of love, thank you for sharing your journey!
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Cajean
Jun 2, 2011 @ 4:16 pm | delete
- Thanks so much for stopping by again, Tipi. I hope to have a LOT more great news in the near future! :-)
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Nightowl_John
Dec 19, 2010 @ 5:32 pm | delete
- Surely the work you do and you, yourself, are a blessing to those you serve. Squid Angel blessed.
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Margo_Arrowsmith
Dec 9, 2010 @ 6:56 pm | delete
- What amazing people, thanks for this!
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JJNW
Dec 5, 2010 @ 6:32 pm | delete
- Remarkable project. This page should be a big help. Nice job!
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Nov 13, 2010 @ 1:22 am | delete
- excellently build lens
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aesta1
Sep 20, 2010 @ 10:52 pm | delete
- Kudos for giving your time and energy to this worth endeavor. You are raising the quality of life in today's world.
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by Cajean
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