Happy Thanksgiving (to our American Friends) and Merry Christmas!
We have a lot to be thankful for as we celebrate 30 years since the inception of Future Vision Ministries.
We send out a special thanks to all of you who have walked with us over the years along this exciting and sometimes painful journey.
Looking back over the decades of Popcorn House programs, we are still being blessed as Chris has regular contact with the second and third generations of those families whom she welcomed years ago. We are still honoured to be included in family gatherings for Ethiopian Christmas, Turkish coffee and Pakistani and Syrian traditional dishes.
The poem Chris wrote then is still as poignant and relevant today as we pray for our family in Malawi where our focus is still on Early Childhood Development … in spirit, soul and body.
I am but a child
With hopes and dreams and aspirations
That go far beyond the realm of reality
That reach far above the magnificence of the stars
And if I do not comprehend, or visualize or understand – your world
It is because I dream
And because I dream, I dare to do
All that you inspire me to do…
The goals you set
The steps you take
The magical being I aspire to become
Are all because of you
My mentor, and my friend.
But, I am but a child
I falter
And am disillusioned
My bubble bursts
And because I face the harshness of reality
And unkind words
And expectations that shrivel my childish dreams
My mystical world is thrust into a box
Where you will write – Fragile, Handle With Care.
And stash the box into your corner of the world.
And, I am but a child
I am alone
I am afraid
I am the victim of an adult’s world which no longer sees through the eyes of a child.
Please reach down
And lift me up
And laugh with me
And weep with me
Believe in me
And most of all be there for me
For, can’t you see
I am but a child
In Malawi, ‘’The Warm Heart of Africa’’, we continue to support initiatives identified, implemented and managed by our small team of faithful partners there under the leadership of Country Manager, Newton Sindo.
HE SUNUZI HEALTH CENTRE is currently under construction as a priority identified by the 30,000 people in 24 villages with whom we work in Southern Malawi. Upon completion in late 2025 it will include:
- A maternity wing with delivery room plus pre – and post-natal care
- An under-five clinic
- A full outpatient department
- HIV – AIDS testing, counselling and treatment
- A pharmacy and dispensary
- Testing, counselling and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases
- Two chaplaincy areas for counselling and prayer
- An eye clinic
Pictured above: LEFT- Groundbreaking for the Sunuzi Health Centre! ( Pastor Falinya, Newton Sindo. Senior Chief Taulo, Supreme Chief Ngwelero and government officials) RIGHT- Drone footage of the clinic foundation excavated on November 8th.
Since this is a remote rural area we will also provide staff housing, electrical connection to the national power grid and full backup solar power.
NOW LET’S TALK DOLLARS!
GOOD NEWS … The total cost of the construction including all of the components listed above is $895,000 U.S. ($1,255,000 Canadian).
THIS HAS BEEN 100% COVERED BY YOUR GENEROUS DONATIONS DESIGNATED FOR THIS HEALTH CENTRE OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS.
An independent engineer has been hired to conduct obligatory inspections over the course of construction. The cost of $10,800 U.S. ($15,250 Cad) has also been covered through a single donation.
SO, WHAT REMAINS TO BE PURCHASED BEFORE WE OPEN:
AMBULANCE (absolutely essential in this rural area) …. $22,000 U.S. ($31,000 Canadian)
ALL HOSPITAL MEDICAL EQUIPMENT FROM BEDS TO BEDPANS (including everything from dripstands to thermometers, weighing scales and everything needed to fully equip a rural health centre) … $ 55,000 U.S. ($77,000 Canadian)
CLINIC FURNITURE (waiting room benches, tables, chairs etc) … 90% of this will be sourced locally from furniture makers who produce excellent quality products … $20,000 U.S. ($28,000 Canadian)
TOTAL COST OUTSTANDING TO OPEN THE DOORS TO 30,000 PEOPLE NEXT YEAR:
$97,000 U.S. or $136,000 Canadian
EXAMPLES OF BITE SIZED CHUNKS!!…
- Two chaplaincy rooms fully furnished $500 U.S ($700 Cad)
- Pre and post-natal wards … each bed with dripstand $400 U.S.($560 Cad). The total for 9 beds and dripstands is $3,600 U.S ($5,040 Cad)
- Labour and Delivery room …. Each bed $1,250 U.S.($1,750 Cad). The total for 4 beds is $ 5,000 U.S.($7,000 Cad).
- Doctor’s consultation plus minor treatment room $2,000 U.S. ($2,800 Cad)
- Kangaroo room (for newborns who have lost their mother and will be held, wet nursed and cared for) $500 U.S. ($700 Cad).
NOTE: SUSTAINABILITY IS ALWAYS A PRIORITY. ALL MEDICAL STAFF WILL BE SUPPLIED AND PAID BY THE MALAWI MINISTRY OF HEATLH.
FVM WILL HAVE ANCILLARY EXPENSES INCLUDING A HEALTH CENTRE ADMINISTRATOR DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE TO FVM.
WE HAVE JUST RECEIVED A GUARANTEE OF $1,000 PER MONTH FOR THE NEXT 5 YEARS FROM A PARTNER WHO UNDERSTANDS AND SUPPORTS THE MANDATE OF FVM AND THE NECCESSITY OF SUSTAINABILITY.
THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR PARTNERSHIP IN BRINGING HEALTHCARE AND ETERNAL HOPE TO THE PEOPLE OF SUNUZI IN SOUTHERN MALAWI.
This mighty baobab tree on the health centre property is a symbol of the strength of community. Village elders will meet under its branches. Its fruit contains vitamin C and other nutrients.
“THANKS BE TO GOD FOR HIS INDESCRIBABLE GIFT ’’
2 CORINTHIANS 9:15
As we say in Malawi,
Zikomo Kwambiri! Thank you very much!
Future Vision Ministries team in North America and Malawi
