SaltMalawi Blankets AppealWhat image comes to mind when you think about a sub-Saharan African country like Malawi? - Bustling cities? Game reserves? Dusty roads? Bush villages? Shimmering heat? They are all there of course, but did you know that more than 80% of the population live in poverty trying to scratch a living as subsistence farmers? In September 2012 the new government devalued their currency by a massive 49% to help sort their finances. That has now worked through the supply chain making everything hugely more expensive for people who could afford next to nothing anyway. At the end of November, we heard of another 20% increase in fuel costs.
The majority sleep in their clothes with just a cane mat separating them from the cold, damp, hard earth floor of their mud brick, draughty hut. It’s bad enough for the adults but unimaginable for children and the elderly. Against this background, we at SaltMalawi have received a request from the village church leaders across the Central Belt, via Julian and Caroline, to see whether we might assist by helping them obtain supplies of blankets to distribute to the children in their villages and to the vulnerable elderly. We supplied some blankets about 4 years ago and the smiles of gratitude from young and old alike are still fresh in our memories. So we decided to launch a campaign to see whether our friends in UK would like to support us in raising sufficient funds to buy at least 400 good quality blankets from suppliers on the ground in Malawi. |
 The rainy season is just trying to begin and is in fact late (as at 1st Dec 2012). It’s dark and cold by 5.00pm. There is no electricity in the villages and villagers are unable to afford candles. So the only light or warmth comes from the charcoal fire outside, on which whatever passed for dinner was cooked. Bed is the next warmest place; or rather it would be if you had one.
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We have been amazed by the initial response, which, if continued will ensure we are able to do much more than originally envisaged. Thank you to all who have participated, are participating and will participate in supporting this appeal.
N.B. This appeal is now closed. Thanks to all who helped us.
Thank you.
SaltMalawi Trustees
Some things to pray about
- Give thanks
For a safe and uneventful return journey; for the smooth running of affairs by John and Cameron during this time; for the successful preparation and obtaining of food for the forthcoming hunger season; for the openness of the group headman at Mphalale and his introduction to the needy village of Chakana. - For Julian and Caroline
i) that their Temporary Employment Permit will now be re-issued without further delay
ii) Wisdom in dealing with issues of water shortages; fuel shortages and raging inflation and its effect on all those in their care.
iii) That God would provide a farm manager with both crop and livestock experience in order to facilitate the current work including pigs and the plan to have a cow or two on the land.
iv) To be envisioned for the future and for John and Cameron to continue to grow into their leadership roles. - For the Churches
Pray for the on-going work of the churches and their leaders and for new opportunities and especially the forthcoming meeting at Chakana. - For the Country
i) Pray for the country, its government and its people.
ii) Pray that President Joyce Banda would lead wisely and not be corrupted and that Western governments would honour their promises.
iii) See this recent headline: Germany Government has dismissed media claims that it will not release budget support to Malawi until 2015 describing the news as “absolutely wrong”.
Also pray for those who will be vulnerable to poverty and hunger this coming season.
Julian and Caroline return to Malawi
- Travel
The return journey was fine and the potential difficulties with immigration issues never materialised, for which we give thanks. On arrival we enquired at immigration why we have not yet received the new promised TEP and the answer given is that the right hand does not know what the left hand has received. We have made all necessary payments but the office issuing the visa did not know that this was so - despite our sending a copy of the necessary receipts in April, and that their computer shows the payment has been made. - The Farm
There is much to give thanks for. There were no real problems with any of the houses, the solar installations nor the solar geysers. A pipe from the pump to the water tank did need a major repair however, and this had been waiting for our return for some time. The water level in the borehole appears very low and we learn from Jobson that this generally is the case in Dedza itself. We are implementing a regime of careful consumption involving recycling grey water wherever possible and using the borehole water for drinking and washing only. WC cistern water and water for washing floors are to be drawn from a shallow well until the rains come! - The Feeding Programmes
Between our team and Chiyembekezo (an independent church leader who has associated himself and his church with us) we have bought the food required for the programme at Nyombe, and we have a large amount ready for the programme at Mphalale. We visited the group headman at Mphalale yesterday in order to start planning the programme and that was a surprisingly positive experience. He has begged us to include a village called Chakana where every year people die of hunger. this village is not known to me. we have agreed and are now planning a visit during which we might also discuss an opportunity to do some preaching too. - The Country
4.1 We have a fuel crisis once again, although perhaps not yet of the same magnitude as last year. Dedza is currently dry and last week so was much of LLW as far as we can understand. The problem is the continuing absence of sufficient forex to pay for what Malawi needs. Apparently the donors have not yet started giving all that had been promised - perceived difficulties in government still remain the principle obstacle.
4.2 Prices have escalated. The huge devaluations that have taken place during the year combined with equally high increases in fuel costs have had a devastating effect on the prices of simple commodities. eg Milk powder has more than doubled in price; fertilisers are now over 12,000 kwacha for a 50 kg bag. Two years ago the same bag would have cost under 5,000. There will be many people who will not use adequate amounts of fertiliser this year and that will mean less food in 2013. One piece of good news is that sugar is now available again and the ridiculously high prices of March and April have been replaced with more affordable costs.
4.3 The new president is now under attack because of the high inflation (officially 25% - arguably the real level is much higher - even twice that level perhaps!).
At the end of March, Cameron, Victoria and the children moved into house number three on the farm. Still with just a few bits and pieces of ‘finishing off’ to do this represents a significant victory for Julian to complete the building in around 3 months from start to finish! It is also a huge answer to prayer – so thank you Lord!
Now with John and Cameron living in the same location as immediate neighbours, they can work even more closely together. Victoria is hoping to find work as a teacher at a school serving several villages in the area.
Do pray for John and Cameron as they take on the additional responsibility of all the churches and the farm work too.
Update from Julian and Caroline Lott – April 2012
Caroline writes:
As I write this letter, we have only one week to go before flying back to England for a break and I have been reflecting on our last term here in Malawi.
Firstly, I am so thankful to God that He has sustained us, led us and provided for us during one of the most difficult terms that we have spent here. Both Julian and I have learned much as we have been led by the Master. We have come to understand our own weakness, for we have been placed in situations where we have had no alternative but to trust in Him. Jesus said, “without me you can do nothing.” - Oh, how true the Word of God is! Maybe you can identify with some of the things that have beset us – coping with disappointment, people letting us down, rejecting us, stealing from us, lying to us, speaking against us and, we suspect, cursing us. But as we have experienced and been discouraged by all these things we have come to understand that they are only a small part of what Christ suffered for us. We have also experienced his provision for us in so many different ways. As you know there has been a fuel shortage but our tank has never been empty. (We may have had to queue for 3 hours to get it but we have never queued for hours and then experienced the pump running dry just as we were about to be served, which happens to many). There is also a sugar shortage but we have never gone short despite again having to queue for it.
As you can see we have much to praise the Lord for, but at the top of our list of praise is you. We know that without the love, support and most importantly your prayers, we would not have survived - so thank you and may God bless you richly. 
Since we last saw you we have managed to build three houses. John and Cameron and their families have settled in well and are all so happy to be here. Every item for building (apart from sand and bricks) has been bought in Lilongwe and transported back to Dedza by either Julian or myself which has been time consuming but well worth it. Julian and I are delighted with our house; we have prayed that it would be a place of peace and that is what we are experiencing.
We are also encouraged by the church which has been formed in Mphalale and especially by the Sunday afternoon meetings which give people an opportunity to ask questions. It has enabled us to teach from the Word of God on subjects that people are really interested in – the afternoon is open to all and attendance is between 20-30. We also have opportunities to follow up people during the week.
I am happy to say that, after much struggle, I have managed to establish a ladies' bible study once a week which is attended by six ladies. The men are also meeting once a week with Julian.
Since Cameron has joined us, he is no longer able to oversee Nyombe in quite the same way. Please pray that they would continue to grow in the Lord despite Cameron's less frequent visits.
Julian and I are both very tired now and are looking forward to our break and also to meeting many of you when we come home.
The Trustees and others have helped us prepare an itinerary for our visit to England, which is contained in a separate article on this web site.
The following is an extract from the July 2011 Newsletter:
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Our church work is going on well, despite the fact that Julian and I have been preoccupied with the building project. Biliat and Lyton came down to visit us recently and the reports of the work in Lilongwe district are very encouraging. Nyombe, under the leadership of Cameron is also progressing and the new church plant at Chaphazi (the area where we are building) now has a men’s and ladies’ group that meets during the week. |
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