Mission Moments: Malawi
Solving a ma(i)ze of problems in Malawi
Treating stalk borer infestation of maize in Malawi. (Photos by Duncan Nyozani)
The spraying of maize crops infested by stalk borers continued in February in southern Malawi. “There has been a great improvement in crops after spraying, especially in the Kambona area,” Pastor Duncan Nyozani reported. “But in Msema many will not harvest due to heavy rains damaging the maize crops.”
He blamed the soil, noting that “in other parts of the community apart from Msema crops are good.”
Climbing For Christ provided US$4,000 for the purchase of chemicals to spray crops damaged by an army of worms plaguing farmers in agriculturally based Malawi. This was previously reported on Feb. 17 in the story “The war on bugs.” Duncan, a member of C4C since 2009, distributed the support among his Searchlight Ministries’ churches in Kambona and Msema, where he also has been delivering food relief to hundreds of hungry families through aid sent from C4C Canada the past five months.
Some maize is growing as high as an elephant’s eye. Harvest will be late April and early May.
When he wasn’t helping spray crops, Climbing For Christ staffer Damson Samson was busy distributing more blankets and mats and starting new Bible studies among widows in three villages.
“I was shocked to see them covering (themselves with the blankets) when the day was hot just to say how much they appreciated C4C,” Damson said when he gave up more colorful blankets to the many elderly in need.
Singing and dancing while wrapped in new blankets despite the heat. (Photos by Damson Samson)
A woman from Nasiyaya shares her appreciation for the support given to people in her village. “Nobody has never thought about this group of people in our community,” she said, thanking Climbing For Christ.
Damson has proposed supporting the start of small businesses among the widows “so that they may be able to sustain themselves.” He requested US$3,000 to initiate this idea.
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