LOCATION: Malawi
TRANSFORMATIONAL IMPACT: Our dream is to see children and adults with disabilities and those who have been traumatized by sexual assault, within Lilongwe, Malawi, receive the support they need to live lives of hope, joy, and acceptance. We also want to see these precious individuals experience the amazing love of Jesus Christ and be transformed.
MINISTRY FOCUS: In Malawi, sexual assault among people with disabilities is estimated to be five to ten times higher than the rest of the population. In addition, children and adults with disabilities often experience significant obstacles that most other people take for granted – access to education, transportation, involvement in their community/village, life in a stable family context, etc.
Moreover, incidents of gender-based violence and domestic abuse are increasing with few options available for the victims of these horrible attacks.
I (Kathy) am the director of Children of Blessing Trust (COBT), a centre that provides a safe place for children with disabilities, along with their caregivers, to receive much-needed support. COBT offers physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, a nutrition/feeding program, an equipment loan program, special education, an integrated pre-school, a variety of workshops on topics/issues relevant to the clients, an epilepsy clinic, and a micro-finance/business for caregivers. It also has eleven outreach sites throughout Liliongwe.
I (Steve) direct the Fountain of Life (FOL), a facility that acts as a safe house for survivors of sexual assault. Individuals can receive crucial counseling and support services. FOL also assists volunteer lay trauma counselors at 4 One Stop Centres around Malawi in partnership with the main hospitals. Furthermore, it offers basic first aid trauma counseling training to our volunteers and partners with government departments and other local organizations in the area.
We believe that both COBT and FOL call the Church to bring the good news of Jesus Christ to all people. God has led us to the marginalised, forgotten, and the wounded, and we will do all we can to stand up for them!
YOUR IMPACT: Your partnership will give these precious children and adults the support they so desperately need, while also helping them to hear how much Jesus loves them!
MINISTRY HISTORY: We have both served in ministry contexts for over 35 years. I (Kathy) am a trained physiotherapist and occupational therapist, specialising in paediatrics. Having worked in Canada, Mexico, Botswana, and now Malawi, I seek to use my training and experience to advance God’s kingdom. I (Steve) have worked in community development, mainly with marginalised children, including orphans susceptible to sexual attacks, all throughout sub-Saharan Africa.
PRAYER REQUESTS:
- For these children and adults to see how precious they are and begin to live as God intended – in community with those who love them.
- For the right partners to generously support both COBT and FOL, in order to glorify God and advance His kingdom.
- For both of us to experience clarity in following God’s calling now that we are Canada-based, and for our two daughters to become self-reliant as they face their futures with confidence.
Connect:
Children of Blessing Trust | Fountain of Life | Email | Website
