Celebrations in Tiamike!

The community of Tiamike has been under Joshua’s radar recently having heard rumors of them setting up their own sewing and carpentry workshops.  We quickly learned that these rumors were true; the community was renting sewing machines and had begun teaching themselves and one another within both skillsets. For three months we have been able to watch the community progress both with our help and now, using their own ideas and initiative.

Joshua decided to donate three sewing machines to the community and in recognition of this, the community put on a rather extravagant handing over ceremony to mark the occasion. 

The day was filled with celebrations of all sorts. There were speeches made by all the chiefs (of which there were four!) to express the meaning of the sewing machines and their thanks to Joshua, dancing and singing, and two dramas created by the communities to outline the social impact of the sewing machines to their lives. There was a huge emphasis on the empowerment of these people, especially women within the community; something that really touched my heart.

Tiamike is one of the poorer and more needy of the communities that we work with. Joshua has a long-standing partnership with Tiamike, having a few feeding centers in near-by proximity, a mobile health clinic for both children and adults and women’s health information meetings. For me, it was fantastic to see a community come together in celebration and to see the effect that just three sewing machines can have on their livelihoods but also to see how the community is growing within themselves with and without our help. This fills us and, we hope, them with hope for their futures. 

Manyowe kitty club meets for the first time.

Manyowe community held its first Kitty club on the Friday 22 May 2015. It was an extremely successful day. All in all sixty-seven over sixty-year-olds registered to take part in the club.

As this was the first kitty club held in Manyowe, firstly the participants had a ‘break the ice’ session to meet one another and then began to discuss in detail what they wanted to gain from the club and also what activities they would be doing in each meeting.

By the end of the day, with plenty of activities planned, Joe gave them the chance to feedback and make any suggestions. This is a really important aspect of the work we do at Joshua. We work with communities to impact on areas that they feel they need the most help in. It was decided that the kitty club would fit around those who attend Mosque for prayers so that more people would be able to make it to both. On the whole though, stakeholders commended what Joshua has started, caring for the old and providing them with a meal.

Joshua was also able to pass over two new relish pots to the Manyowe kitty club that should last them over two years. We hope this club grows, enabling the elderly within this community somewhere for a bit of relaxation and respite and also teaching us what the community needs in the bigger picture. 

Written by Joseph Chiundiza

Edited by Olivia Tilton

Jona's Success!

This week in the office we had an unexpected visitor. A sponsored student, Jona, had completed his tertiary education with good grades and had come to show his appreciation to Joshua for the years of help they had given him.

This is hugely exciting news to receive and a massive achievement for Jona. In Malawi, education is like gold dust with only 18% of the population reaching even secondary school, let alone tertiary. After writing a written exam and having an interview, Jona was accepted into the Combino Technical College to study in the Electrical and Installation Department. Within this he studied subjects such as Principles, Science, Technical Drawing, Technology and Calculations, as well as English Communications and Entrepreneurship. Alongside this, they are expected to complete three months in an industry placement. In his workshop practice he was awarded an A+ and is described as a "trustworthy, responsible, and reliable person" by his principle. Reading these reports, we were glowing with pride.

Joshua had been sponsoring Jona since secondary school, through which he gained his Malawi School Certificate of Education, all the way through to his college education.  It was his dream to become an electrical engineer throughout his education. He not only enjoyed it but has gained many skills meaning that he can stand on his own two feet and now sees a bright future for himself.

This is a huge achievement for Jona and brings so much joy to his life and to our office. In his own words, "I would like to thank the whole Joshua organisation for working hand in hand with me to reach this stage. I promise that I will make good use of this chance". We wish him all the luck in the world.