Thank you from all of us at Future Vision Ministries, and more importantly, from your Malawian family for partnering and praying with us throughout 2023.
And now we boldly ask you on behalf of the people of Malawi to join with us at FVM to provide a lifesaving opportunity in the Taulo area of Malawi.
THE SUNUZI HEALTHCARE CENTRE has been carefully planned to meet the needs of 30,000 rural inhabitants of our area who have no access to medical care. We have liaised for over a year with Newton Sindo, our Malawi Country Manager, the Ministry of Health of Malawi, the District Health and Social Services Officer, other NGOs, local chiefs and the people of 23 villages. The land has been secured and plans have been drafted for approval in Malawi.
The needs are incredible: Virtually the entire population that FVM walks and works with live below the international poverty line of $1.90 per day.
- The leading causes of death are still HIV – AIDS, Malaria and Diarrheal diseases.
- Infant mortality rate is 52 per 1,000 births (in Canada it is 4 per 1,000). 42% of global newborn deaths are in Sub-Saharan Africa.
- Maternal mortality is 450 per 100,000 (in Canada it is 8 per 100,000)
BUT IT IS NOT ABOUT STATISTICS, IT IS ABOUT PEOPLE: PLEASE TAKE 2 MINUTES TO READ THE STORY OF AGNES, OUR FRIEND IN TAULO, WHICH WE JUST RECEIVED LAST WEEK.
STORY OF AGNES
“Mention of the Healthcare Centre has been frequent over the last year. As our world is rocked by so much unrest, desperate need and requests for support, I sometimes find my emotions numbed, even in the midst of actively planning for the Healthcare Centre. Until a story like Agnes lands in my inbox. I sat this morning and felt my heart yearn again for something better, to offer something more, to not grow weary in the hope and planning to make a dream become reality.” – Wendy, FVM Board Member
Agnes Wayson is a 43-year-old woman who comes from Maolera Village, GVH Taulo in Zomba District, Malawi. Her gaze in the photos speaks of quiet determination in a life filled with challenges. This is a mother who has known both the great joy of new life and the deepest pain of holding the tiny bodies of her children gone too soon.
Agnes became head of her birth family at 14 years old, with the death of her parents. To make ends meet Agnes started making mandasi (donuts) to sell but was unable to create a thriving business due to lack of capital. So she turned to piecework, working in crop fields. At the same time, Agnes started Grade 1. With the responsibility of her siblings and endeavouring to provide necessities, concentration on school work became too much and Agnes stopped her studies in Grade 3. Returning to piecework, she tried to bring in enough for the family. But the situation only grew worse.
Desperate, Agnes gave into the pressure of unprotected sex for money, and at 17 years old found herself pregnant. Without adequate resources to travel for prenatal care, Agnes relied on a traditional birth attendant with limited experience. Overdue at 10 months, labour started. With Ngwelero Health Centre 17 km away, her family opted for a home birth. It did not go well. Agnes lost so much blood and was unconscious for a long time. Returning to consciousness she faced the empty arms and broken heart of the loss of her first child.
A couple of years later, Agnes was married and excited for the birth of another child, When the time came, Agnes began the journey towards the closest healthcare centre. This time a baby girl was born at the roadside, along the way to Ngwelero Health Centre. Within a year she was welcoming another child. But the distances required to travel to either the hospital were too great and Agnes could not attend any prenatal services. A traditional birth assistant delivered a very weak baby, only able to live for a short four months. Within a year Agnes was pregnant again. Filled with determination she enrolled herself at the Ngwelero Health Centre and attended seven prenatal sessions. However, when Agnes was due to be delivered, her relatives were not able to find a means of taking her to the hospital. Agnes ended up giving birth in one of the bushes all by herself. Agnes reflects, “By God’s grace, both I and the baby were fine.”
With family planning, Agnes was able to rest and rebuild her body. Over the years, two more pregnancies followed with increasing challenges and emergencies at birth. Agnes’ child-bearing years are over now, yet her heart still hurts, and she longs for others not to have to experience the pain, desperation and sadness she has felt throughout the years
The longing echoes in her words: “Ndadutsa mu nyengo zovuta kwambiri zokhudza ndi uchembere ndipo sindifuna wina adzutsenso mu zimenezi. Ngati Future Vision Ministries ingathe kumnga chipatala asadzalephere kumyikapo chochilira azimai.“
“I have been through a lot as far as childbirth, things that I do not wish anyone to pass through. If Future Vision Ministries can build a health facility, maternity should never miss out.”
OUR PRIMARY FOCUS IS ON MATERNAL CARE FROM PRENATAL THROUGH SAFE DELIVERY TO POSTNATAL FOLLOW-UP.
As always, our core mandate centres on the hope and life brought through the love of Jesus. We will have pastoral staff on site to counsel patients and families through their life challenges.
OUR GOAL BEFORE DECEMBER 31st IS TO RAISE $50,000
YOU MAY WISH TO MAKE A ONE TIME GIFT OR SIGN UP FOR MONTHLY GIVING TO SUPPORT ONGOING OPERATIONAL COSTS. THIS IS ESSENTIAL FOR SUSTAINABILITY OVER TIME!!
With deep gratitude,
The Future Vision Ministries Team on behalf of your Malawian Family in Taulo
