A Brief Udate
Well, I’m back and full of apologies once again. It’s been a long time since I wrote anything about Itatu. It’s been a rough couple of months. I found out that Itatu was not being managed properly. Mabvuto has been very difficult to deal with. He does not read emails nor does he answer calls. After several attempts I was able to get him to agree to take on a partner. This partner, Azikiwe, has worked tirelessly to put Itatu back on the right track. He’s gone to the day care, talked to the cooks and members of the community and he has confronted Mabvuto on many issues related to finances and management.
As it stands now, the children are eating the food that was intended for them. They are all attending school and are all healthy. Azikiwe will soon be in possession of the year’s supply of maize. We will work to find a secure space to store the maize once it is husked and put into sacks.
I will be traveling to Malawi once again this summer. I will be investigating possible solutions to the problems that have arisen in Ntcheu, where I was last year. This year I will not spend a great deal of time in Ntcheu but will travel to other parts of the country to determine the best course of action for the future. I am still absolutely committed to helping the people, especially the children of Malawi. I have learned from my mistakes and hope that whatever I decide to do you will all understand that I have poured my heart and soul into this. I have not taken any of it lightly and I will continue to be as honest with all of you as I can be. I want you to trust me and believe in what I do now and in the future.
Please understand that these past months have been very difficult for me. I couldn’t give you updates because things were changing all of the time and I was exhausted by the whole situation. I feel more hopeful and optimistic now. I will soon send another update with a list of things I hope to take with me when I return next month.
Thank you all for your understanding and words of support. It’s your support that I need more than anything right now.
Jennifer, nobody could ever doubt your work and your intentions. Keep going, stay with these kids, they need you. Talk to Harry K. and see if you can get him to help you. THere are better pple in Malawi and we both know it. I know that what you are doing is really important. Can I send you some things to take to Malawi for me? I want to give some money to a school in Karonga and I want to send Harry a dvd or two. Is that doable? nan