Christmas Gifts
Well, Christmas has passed and a new year has begun. Many people were extremely generous this year. The children have each received a new school uniform to begin the term. Mabvuto emailed a picture of the group. Most of them are wearing their uniform, but as is typical of teenagers, a few chose not to wear theirs for the picture.
Four of the children have been given new shoes. Before Christmas Mabvuto got permission from the Social Welfare people to take the children into town. It seems strange to me that he had to obtain permission. If he’d just taken one he would not have needed to get permission but because it was nine he needed approval. They went to Bata. The store had sizes for four kids only so Mabvuto decided not to buy any shoes. He thought it would be best to go to the market and buy all nine pairs.
Unfortunately the shoes and clothing sold at the market is used. It is clothing sent from “mzungu” (western) countries to be given to poor people. Instead of being donated to those in need, others take it and sell it for a minimal fee at markets. I understand why they do this but I don’t want to encourage this behaviour. The people who send the clothes think they are being donated. I doubt they realize someone is making a profit from the sale of the items. They also likely don’t realize that the poorest still can not afford these items. The intended recipients can not get access to that which was intended for their use.
After I explained my discomfort to Mabvuto about buying used shoes for the kids he agreed to return to Bata. He purchased four pairs and ordered the other five pairs. He was cute though because he thought it wouldn’t be fair for four kids to have shoes while the others went without. I said it would be ok as long as the other children knew their shoes are on the way. I suggested that the store would be more likely to ordered the needed pairs if others were purchased. Often in Malawi there is a great deal of mistrust and broken promises.
So the children have uniforms and some of them have shoes. I did not buy a pig and a sewing machine as was suggested by one Toronto boy but I am thinking of buying chickens. At this point though, I want to build up a reserve fund so that I don’t have to worry as much about the costs of items.
It’s all going very well. I’m happy about it. Thank you to everyone who was so thoughtful about donating. It made my Christmas much better knowing I had your support and encouragement.
No comments yet.