Rebuilding Makapwa
In July 2021, we appealed to Seibo supporters in Japan to help us build a new nursery school for an isolated community in Malawi. We shared with you the joyful voices of the people who would benefit from your kindness, who never imagined they would ever receive help, as even the name Makapwa means ‘no use’ or ‘no value’. In December, we again shared building progress and shared some interviews with the workers who were helping to make a difference. In early 2022, we subsequently paid a visit to check-in on progress and while the building was not fully finished, it was already being used as a nursery. This short video takes you on a short tour of the nursery, starting with a short walk into the village of Kajawo. In even better news, it seems that now that the rains have subsided the remaining works (toilet block completion, painting of nursery walls, etc) has been completed and at long last we can say that Makapwa have a brand new nursery!! Well done to all involved. We plan to post a report as soon as we receive the most recent images.

Meanwhile in February we also had the opportunity to join the Makapwa nursery caregivers on a walk to collect water for the school meal. We were shocked when we learned that the only water source available to the nursery and the surrounding community of 476 households was a shallow river stream. As soon as we saw the situation with our own eyes we could not simply ignore it. Take a look below.

While most of our nursery partners are urban-based with access to clean water, we are aware that occasionally nursery partners located in rural areas struggle to access clean water year-round. However, we had never come across an entire community that struggled so much. While our mission is and remains school feeding, we also have an obligation to do what we can to help where help is clearly needed. In conversation with our colleagues at Seibo Malawi we decided there and then to not only try to solve the problems for the nursery, but to provide water for the entire village of Kajawo!

The Makapwa-Kajawo Well Appeal
Once more we need your help! This time we hope to fund a well project that will both benefit the Makapwa Nursery and the 476 householders of Kajawo village. Once more we’ve made quick decisions on the ground to provide an immediate solution to the water problems affecting the entire community. In fact we’ve gone ahead and carried out a site inspection with a drilling company to ascertain whether or not we can actually dig a well in this area. The good news? We can! Being situated in a valley means there is plenty of water under the ground so we’re confident we can reach it and provide water year-round.

We’re also acutely aware that whatever solution we put in place, it has to last. Therefore we’ve decided to provide a lasting solution that won’t break down or require maintenance and we’re asking for help to not only fund the drilling of a borehole, but also the construction of a water tower complete with water tanks and solar panels to power a submersible pump.
It’s not the cheapest solution in the world but we’re convinced that water is key to the development of the entire community and necessary to provide a nutritional daily meal at the nursery. So here’s what we need your help in funding!

In fact we’ve gone ahead and signed a contract with a local supplier in a bid to get work starting as early as possible. When complete not only will the solar pump power water all year-round but it will also connect that water to a system of taps making the water available to the community, without the need for visiting the stream. Once more we find ourselves having possibly bit off more than we can chew and we are once again appealing to our donors and supporters to help us in any way we can. In return for your kindness, we will take you with us on an exciting journey and hope to hare the progress of both the nursery and the community in the coming days and weeks- thank you!