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A Volunteer's Journal
Brendan and Annemarie
The Irish Volunteer Journal
"Mwandi" I haven't enquired as to what the word actually means but it is a beautiful place by the mighty Zambezi River.
After traveling across South Africa, coming to stay in Zambia and particularly Mwandi really felt like we'd arrived in real Africa.
Both Annemarie and I agree that we've had an amazing experience.
We heard about Mwandi from a work colleague who visited in 2004, and when we contacted Fiona we got such a positive reaction we wanted to come.
Another major factor was the fact we had total visibility as to where all our fundraising was going to be spent.
It's at this stage where I'd like to thank the local communities of Cootehill, Bailebrough and Ballyconnell and all our friends' family and work colleagues who supported us so generously.
From All at the Mwandi OVC and Annemarie and I, Thank You All so much!!!!!!
Your contributions purchased a new computer, 2 new sewing machines and majority went to Feeding Program, as this is the greatest need.
Driving out to the village from Livingstone we got a glimpse of what might be in store for us in Mwandi.
All along the road there were little communities consisting of Mud Huts, and little children running around in what can only be described in western terms as rags.
So we are preparing to deal with having to fetch water every day and use a long drop toilet.
When we arrived and seen that we would be staying in a house with flushing toilets and we had a clean water supply at the project we were amazed.
There is quite a large mission here in Mwandi so a lot a work has been done to accommodate international volunteers and make their stay a more comfortable one.
From the very first few minutes we arrived we helped out on the feeding program, we were a bit nervous but it was a good introduction to the project and the kids.
We got an advanced notice of what we were going to be doing at the project and we can say now that both our skills were but to good use.
Annemarie's main task was working the special needs kids.
Giving them some One to One time each day, helping with speech, toileting etc.
There are currently 6 kids with special needs attending the project and all with very different disabilities.
Everyone a little gem, forever smiling and laughing.
My main task was to help with the computers and help train some of the staff to use the computers more effectively.
With the Zambian climate being so dry and hot it's not the best environment for computers, so there was plenty of ongoing maintenance and troubleshooting to be carried out.
We both did a lot of painting, and while Annemarie had a monster task sorting out a container full of great stuff donated from Australia… she almost finished it.
I got stuck into a bit of welding and DIY.
In the evenings we both tried our hand at teaching.
Giving English and Maths Tuition to small groups of children and Fridays I gave a class on computer skills to the staff at the Mwandi Basic School.
The most important thing on the project of course are the children so we did try to spend at much time as we could just playing and talking with them.
And we have so many wonderful memories.
It's simply a wonderful project and to get to experience it in action we certainly feel privileged.
We are already talking about when we can come back.
This is a place and experience I would recommend to anyone interested in Volunteering their time to help those in need.
Rev David Howie
Volunteer in Mission, Uniting Church in Australia
To paraphrase Mother Theresa: "There is not only a poverty and hunger for food in the world, there is also a poverty and hunger for love."
Mwandi is a village in Zambia which has been severely affected by the HIV/AIDS virus.
Most affected is the generation between 25-45 years of age, who are the parents of the children involved in the Orphans and Vulnerable Children's (OVC) project.
Virtually all of the children at the Project have lost one or both parents from HIV/AIDS.
This often means that they are growing up without the parenting, the love, care and support that is essential for the children to develop physically, emotionally and spiritually.
The OVC Project feeds over 200 children from Mwandi a meal 6 days a week.
As impressive as this is, for me what makes OVC special is the Social Support and the way in which the Project has become a nurturing community - almost a second home for the children.
The Social Support provides clothing and sponsorship which enables children to attend school.
The Project also offers HIV/AIDS education and Child Counselling.
But it is the many people involved at OVC which gives it that sense of community, - and a place where the children want to be.
It is the Coordinator and Manager, as well as the office staff; it is the team of Cooks in the kitchen and the wonderful women who serve the food to the children; it is the people who run the Bakery, the Project's Garden and Storeroom; it is the many volunteers both locally and from overseas.
All of these people come together to form a community of love, care and support for the children.
Personally I have done some small odd jobs, as well as led staff and children's devotions.
I've spent time with the children playing football (soccer) and volleyball, as well as being with them at lunch time.
It is both challenging but also very fulfilling.
I am proud to be a very small part of this rich community which seeks to address both the hunger for food, and the hunger for love that is there in the children.
Let me finish with another quote, the source of which is unknown.
"I hope it will be said that we taught them to stand tall and proud, even in the face of history & the future was made whole for us all, one child at a time."
Catherine Oxworth
"When I think of Mwandi I think of sand, sand and more sand. I also think of children, children and more children!
These children are so blessed with the love and care of Fiona, Heather and their team at the OVC centre.
To be a small part, of what I see as such a positive expression of faith, has been an absolute joy.
The OVC centre in Mwandi is giving hope to a community riddled with poverty and HIV/AIDS.
The children of Mwandi are being fed, nurtured, educated and loved.
You can send gifts, you can send money, but you can never ever put a price on the life changing experience that you will have when you decide to volunteer your time with the Mwandi children.
To know that you are loved and cared for by a stranger is to know the love of God."
Paul Keys
"I have laid over 200 square metres of tiles plus other maintenance type jobs.
I have been a pick up driver for new volunteers, helped with the accounts and generally tried to make myself usual.
I have been to a couple of churches to preach with an interpreter standing by. I go into the village 2 or 3 times week, sometimes by myself or sometimes with a guide.
I find these times the most rewarding as I enjoy meeting and talking with these most humble and friendly people and they appreciate it so much when a person comes to visit.
There have been heartbreaking times as well, when we witness the passing of a daughter when the family has already lost 5 others, and such things as that.
However, the strength of these people's faith in God to sustain them through all these things is truly inspiring.
My feelings are that I have received so much more than I have given.
I would thoroughly recommend this to anyone under 90 years who is reasonably fit and has a heart for children."
Bevan and Sandra Pugsley
"We are Bevan and Sandra Pugsley, farmers from a small community on lower Eyre Peninsula, South Australia.
We knew of Fiona's work in Mwandi and chose it as our preferred option for doing some voluntary work overseas, having researched several other options.
We spent 3 months in 2005 doing metal fabrication and generally assisting practically in whatever way we were asked, ie Sunday School, administration.
We were immediately struck by the incredible need within the community, particularly with the number of orphans present (and increasing numbers).
However we were greatly encouraged by the impact that the Mwandi OVC Project was having in the community.
We were most impressed by the community based approach that has been developed by the Project and the practicle hands on approach to the orphan problem, particularly their feeding, education medical and social needs.
We are very taken with the Project and believe it sets the standard for community based projects in developing nations.
So impressed were we that we returned the following year for another 3 month period, where we were once again involved in contruction, the management of the new Storeroom facilities and many other interesting facets.
There was the opportunity to renew friendships developed from the first visit but also to witness the improving relationships within the Project and the childrens' progress.
The growth of the Project was an amazing thing to be a part of.
We enjoyed the people of Mwandi and enjoyed the opportunity to help in a safe and comfortable enviroment.
We have received blessings in many areas of our lives that are far beyond measure and feel privileged to be involved in some small part of this God inspired, compassionate Project."
Fiona Dixon-Thompson
"I have no doubt that God is here in all that we do and that's cool! I wouldn't be anywhere else in the world," says Fiona Dixon-Thompson.
Fiona is an assisted Volunteer in Mission from Australia and the Project Coordinator of the Orphans and Vulnerable Children Project.
Fiona has been in Mwandi full time for four years.
She has a calling and a passion to work with the children of Mwandi.
The greatest thing for Fiona is seeing the children laugh and smile, putting on weight and getting healthier, having clothes to wear and being warm when its cold.
Mwandi is not the easiest place to live.
There are many frustrations for Fiona in her work and working each day in a community that is so affected by HIV/AIDS can also be emotionally hard and draining.
While there are things Fiona misses about life in Australia, like family, friends, cafes and of course Aussie Rules Footy, she believes that "seeing the smiles on the kid's faces makes it all worth while"
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Related Information:
Uniting Church in Australia, Port Lincoln Newsletter
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