LifeNets Shipment Arrives in Blantyre, Malawi

Posted July 30, 2009 

In September 2008 we had a visit from our friends in Malawi.  She is well-known Rotarian and he is a member of Parliament and a noted business leader.

Their daughter attends De Pauw University in Greencastle, Indiana.  We have been their house guests at different times on our journeys to Malawi.

They were shipping a Hummer back to Malawi via container and told us that we could fill it full of humanitarian goods.  There would be no cost to us to ship them.  We shipped many many items that we have been collecting in our basement that have come from you:  eyeglasses, toys and blankets.  This was a wonderful opportunity to have these get to to people in need.   

I'll let Lewis Salawila, one of our LifeNets Malawi board members tell the story about their arrival and distribution:

Malawians Blessed with different items donated by Americans

by Lewis Salawila

On Tuesday, May 12, 2009 we in Malawi were blessed upon receiving various types of items, eye glasses, blankets, and toys from America. Thank you.  

This came as a surprise, and yet a timely thing considering that it was cold season, the problem of eyes among them, especially elderly people and that most parents can not afford to buy toys for their  children. 

Most people in Malawi live day to day life with the problem of eyes hiding somewhere unnoticed, and yet thousands are suffering. 

A lot of people with eyes problems cannot afford to buy glasses from the private and even government hospitals simply because they are very expensive. One eye glass can cost MK15,000.00 (USD 107.00). 

A total of about 20 people in Blantyre received eye glasses and 40 were sent to Lilongwe. Dr. Chilopora, who also is running a LifeNets funded Clinic in Balaka district advised recipients to know the status of their eyes before putting them into use by going for testing.  Other eyeglasses are being kept for future use in case of damage. 

When the time came for the children to receive their items, smiles were everywhere. They received white shirts, white blouses and also toys. In Malawi where most people live by less than a dollar a day it is difficult to buy clothes and for a toy it’s a thing that they can not afford. 

Remember "to give is the greatest of all". And this is a perfect example.

Wonder where eyeglasses you donate to LifeNets go?

Blankets received for families