Yesterday morning, Cross Catholic staff listened as International Projects Officer Tara McKinney shared photos and stories from her recent trip to Malawi.
Tara’s mission reports are always great, but I had a unique interest in this one. I spent nearly two years in Malawi as a middle school teacher and I love hearing about our projects in the “warm heart of Africa”. One such project is Chisombezi Deafblind Centre, the only boarding school in the country specifically designed for deaf and blind youth.
Run by the Servants of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Chisombezi helps students with disabilities communicate, interact, and learn how to live independently.
“Some of the children we minister to could not eat by themselves,” said school director Sister Emma. “We showed them how to eat, how to wash their hands, how to hold a cup, how to go to the toilet. We are teaching them how to live an independent life, with home skills such as cleaning, mopping, gardening. Now some of those children can even spell their names!”
Cross Catholic is helping Sr. Emma and her caring staff minister to disabled children and youth, ranging in age from three to 20 years old. In poor, developing countries like Malawi, children with disabilities are often considered a curse and are neglected by their families. I saw firsthand that if deaf and blind children are not confined to their homes, they are out on the streets, begging for loose change or a bit of food.
That’s why I’m so thankful for the support of Cross Catholic and our benefactors. Now these children have been given hope and a place where they are cared for, valued, and loved.
Praise God that children once hidden away and rejected have a place like Chisombezi where they can realize their God-given potential. And praise God for you, our selfless supporters, who show precious children like these that they are valuable in God’s sight!
-Annie W.