An alarming number of people in Malawi do not have access to potable water and are, therefore, forced to drink contaminated water from unsafe sources.
More than 3 000 children under the age of five years die annually from diarrhea and other water-borne diseases which are caused by drinking contaminated water. Similarly, on the agricultural front, villagers are seriously dependent on unreliable sources of water, given that the country regularly experiences extreme weather shocks and droughts, resulting in failed crops, water shortages and subsequent food insecurity.
#GIFTOFTHEGIVERS πAs we approach the close of 2024, we reflect on the profound impact of our Cataract Surgeries Project, a life-changing initiative aimed at restoring vision to those affected by cataracts.This year, Gift of the Givers successfully conducted two camps: one at Mlambe Mission Hospital in Blantyre and another at Mulanje District Hospital. Partnering with expert teams from both hospitals and skilled surgeons from Nkhoma Mission Hospital and Zomba Central Hospital, we reached over 2,000 individuals with eye-related challenges.Through these efforts, the sights of 266 individuals were restored, bringing hope and light back to their lives. For many elderly Malawians, cataracts remain a leading cause of preventable blindness, and our project seeks to change that narrative.The joy of seeing again is immeasurable, and we remain committed to expanding access to quality eye care, ensuring no one is left in the dark due to avoidable causes of blindness.Together, we can make a difference: π : http://www.giftofthegivers.org/make-a-difference π : +265 888 23 40 00 #GiftoftheGivers #MakeADifference #ForTheGreaterGood #HealthCare #CataractOperations #Malawi
#GIFTOFYHRGIVERS πWe are thrilled to announce the successful completion of our six-day caregivers training, a transformative initiative by Gift of the Givers in collaboration with The Unlimited Child South Africa. Over the past week, 21 caregivers and 7 directors from seven ECD centers in Blantyre have been equipped with essential Early Childhood Development (ECD) knowledge, empowering them to better shape children for primary school education.During the training, caregivers were introduced to innovative teaching methods and practical tools from the Pre-Grade R and Toddlers Kits, which will be distributed to their centres in January 2025. A key focus was on recognizing the unique learning pace of each child and tailoring approaches to meet their individual needs. By organizing children into groups, caregivers were trained to observe and address developmental differences, ensuring no child is left behind.As we conclude this empowering journey, we eagerly anticipate seeing caregivers implement these new approaches in their centres. We envision vibrant, engaging classrooms where curiosity is ignited, and learning is a joyful adventure.On the final day, Charity Bonomali, Director of New Dawn ECD Centre in Machinjiri, expressed her heartfelt gratitude: "This was a ground-breaking experience for all of us, and we do not take it for granted. We are excited to return to our centres and equip our children with everything we’ve learned. We look forward to seeing our children become more enthusiastic and excited to play and learn."Together, Gift of the Givers and The Unlimited Child remain committed to improving the quality of early learning in Malawi. This is just the beginning of a brighter future for our young learners. Together, we can make a difference: π : http://www.giftofthegivers.org/make-a-difference π : +265 888 23 40 00 #GiftoftheGivers #MakeADifference #ForTheGreaterGood #EducationSupport #UnlimitedChild #Malawi
#GIFDTOFTHEGIVERS πIn commemoration of the International Day of Solidarity, Gift of the Givers joined hands with @MalawiPalestineSolidarityMovement in organizing a successful Food and Fun Festival towards the intention of raising funds for Palestine and Lebanon. On December 1, 2024, hundreds of people showed up at Limbe Country Club in Blantyre to show their solidarity, standing with the devastated families currently under attack in Palestine and Lebanon. Gift of the Givers has been operational in Palestine since the year 2002. Since the beginning of the Genocide in October 2023, Gift of the Givers has been assisting affected families through the provision of crucial aid such as food, medical supplies, clean water, shelter, hygiene kits, education and psychosocial support and recreational activities for children. With each passing day, the people of Gaza continue to face diverse atrocities from the constant bombing. For those with severe medical conditions and injuries, access to medical care is limited, making our aid as Gift of the Givers crucial for Palestinians. Similarly, In Lebanon, Gift of the Givers is committed to alleviate the atrocities faced by displaced families through the provision of essential relief aid such as hygiene kits, blankets, food, mattresses and medical supplies. At the Food and Fun Festival, the Malawi Palestine Solidarity Movement organized a number of exciting and family friendly activities which included canvas painting, face painting, food stalls, football matches for different ages, jumping castles, candy stalls, movie screening and other fun games. Proceeds from the December 1, 2024, festival will go towards the work being carried out by Gift of the Givers in both Lebanon and Palestine. We would like to give our special thanks to Malawi Palestine Solidarity Movement for organizing such an amazing event and to everyone who attended and donated towards our work in Palestine and Lebanon.Together, we can make a difference: π : http://www.giftofthegivers.org/make-a-difference π : +265 888 23 40 00 #GiftoftheGivers #MakeADifference #ForTheGreaterGood #FreePalestine #CeaseFireNow #Malawi
#GIFTOFTHEGIVERS π As we come closer to the end our 6 Day ECD trainings, we would like to take time and look into the adventurous moments of our ECD training activities. Each day brought about exciting new lessons that triggered the imagination, creativity and passion of caregivers. Caregivers had innovative moments in class , where they engaged in building structures straight from their imagination using Lego blocks and then telling stories through pictures cut from a newspaper . Day 5 of the trainings further explored a number of educational games which included how to play Bear Pears to enhance children's communication, interaction and mathematical skills. Through Bear Pears, Caregivers were taught how to engage in a memory game to enhance children's short-term memory. They also played Keeping Clean Lotto and What Up Next where they used the Practitioners Guide to identify themes and on which exact days of the week these educational games will be played . With each vibrant lesson taught passionately, we believe that children will be equipped to become more confident when speaking, counting and identifying objects and colours; influencing them to develop in different aspects. These educational games are a strong foundation towards the development of each individual child’s language, mathematical, interaction and communication skills. As Gift of the Givers together with the Unlimited Child, we look forward to pursuing the greater heights of Early Childhood Education in Malawi; breaking down the barriers associated with the lack of expertise and poor access to essential ECD knowledge and resources. Together, we can make a difference: π : http://www.giftofthegivers.org/make-a-difference π : +265 888 23 40 00 #GiftoftheGivers #MakeADifference #ForTheGreaterGood #EducationSupport #UnlimitedChild #Malawi
#GIFTOFTHEGIVERS π "Now I Can See, and My Life Can Begin Again!" Magaret James, 70, from Ngongondole, T.A. Mabuka, has spent the last two years trapped in darkness, completely dependent on her grandchildren for even the simplest tasks. “My life completely stops every time my grandchildren are not at home. I cannot cook, draw water, or even sweep my own house. Now that I can see, the first thing I want to do is clean my house, which is a mess,” she shared with joy after her successful cataract surgery.This life-changing moment is one of many happening during the Cataract Surgery Camp organized by Gift of the Givers in partnership with Zomba Central and Mulanje District Hospitals. Four days into the camp, 101 people have already undergone surgeries and had their sight restored, reclaiming their independence and dignity.Every restored vision is a story of renewed hope and transformed lives.Together, we can make a difference: π : http://www.giftofthegivers.org/make-a-difference π : +265 888 23 40 00 #GiftoftheGivers #MakeADifference #ForTheGreaterGood #HealthCare #CataractOperations #Malawi
#GIFTOFTHEGIVERS πOur six-day Early Childhood Development (ECD) training, in partnership with The Unlimited Child South Africa, is in full swing, with caregivers from seven Blantyre-based centres growing in enthusiasm and skill with each passing day!Day 3 ended on an exciting note as caregivers got hands-on with Lego blocks, creating innovative structures that sparked creativity and teamwork. The Pear π Group emerged victorious, impressing everyone with their incredible design! Another highlight of the day was learning how to use Threading Shapes and Laces, a resource designed to enhance small muscle movement and teach children to follow patterns—a crucial skill in early development.Day 4 took the excitement outdoors! Caregivers explored activities using hula hoops, Vroom Vroom, and bin bags, all aimed at promoting physical development through the movement of both small and large muscles. Back indoors, they engaged with resources like the Community Helpers Puzzles, What’s Up Next, and Same but Different, which build problem-solving and critical thinking skills in children.This journey of learning is not only enriching the caregivers but also transforming how early education is approached.Together, we can make a difference: π : http://www.giftofthegivers.org/make-a-difference π : +265 888 23 40 00 #GiftoftheGivers #MakeADifference #ForTheGreaterGood #EducationSupport #UnlimitedChild #Malawi