A Journey to Sponsorship in Malawi
POSTED ON Jul 09, 2010 / UPDATED ON Jan 27, 2011
Wendy (left) with Malawi child Lisa Mahone, wearing one of the dresses Wendy made for village children.
Wendy with Mtsiliza children wearing Wendy’s pillowcase dresses.
Wendy and Andrew are happy sharing time together.
Andrew (center) with his two sisters, who were sponsored by Wendy's roommates on the trip.
Venture participant Mary Sink getting a hug from Dolica Mouna, her Mgwayi Village Partnership child .
A six-year-old Malawian boy and retired schoolteacher from Iowa had little in common until they met in the village of Mtsiliza.
Wendy O’Hara, a grandmother from Peosta, Iowa, chose to join a trip to Malawi as part of the Children of the Nations (COTN) Venture Team from Grove Church in Chandler, Arizona.
The June trip was an opportunity for Wendy to see the country and interact with village children. “I was excited to start my trip, and meet children in Malawi,” said Wendy.
And that’s how she came to know a little boy named Andrew Frances.
Using her sewing skills and money donations, Wendy spent her first day at the Mtsiliza Feeding Center in Malawi distributing clothing and flip-flop shoes she brought to the village children. Wendy had made forty dresses from a pillowcase pattern before arriving in Africa.
Wendy saw how the small gifts pleased the children, and she pondered how to help these bright-eyed children more. That afternoon she met Andrew, a shy child who became friendlier as the day progressed.
The next day, Andrew surprised Wendy with a hug while she was helping at the feeding center. “All of a sudden I felt these arms around my back,” she recalled. “When I turned around, Andrew’s six-year-old, toothless smile was looking up at me. I lost it right there and then.”
She felt God calling her to sponsor Andrew. “I feel blessed to have this opportunity,” she said. “It melts your heart to look in their eyes and know you’ve made a difference.”
As a sponsored child in COTN’s Village Partnership Program, Andrew will have access to medical care if needed, schooling, and a daily meal. Wendy’s sponsorship has provided Andrew with a future glistening with possibilities.
“Just to know that he will have the opportunity to go to school close to home is wonderful,” the former teacher said. “Education is so important.”
Wendy was able to spend several days getting to know Andrew before continuing her trip and returning to the States. Other Venture Team members also sponsored children, including her roommates who sponsored Andrew’s sisters.
Back in Iowa, Wendy has not forgotten the COTN children in Malawi. “I’m hoping to get more people in my community to sponsor children,” she said. “Sponsorship really saves the life of a child. It gives them hope and a full belly. They can go to school and learn.”
If you are interested in sponsoring a child like Andrew, please visit our Sponsorship page.