Two months to go

December was a busy month and I didn't have much time to write. Now, with two months left till my departure, I am in a high state of getting ready, there is a list of things still to be done, like getting vaccinated, getting tickets and reservations, and renewing my passport. On the other hand I have done a lot of research and planning and gathering of things to take with me for the children.

Toys, books, games, puzzles, art and crafts supplies, etc.

I am preparing to do art projects with the children.

Some supplies I will take with me but some I am planning to buy there. I have been raising funds for this by painting, and I wanted to say thank you so very much to everyone  who commissioned a painting from me. It means a lot and helps a great deal. To see that work you may check my website: www.elizabethkozlowski.com


One exciting project, that I am planning to do with the older children from each house in the village, is making necklaces for gifts to their "mothers". I have been collecting glass beads for some time, and presently I am practicing myself, so that I know how to instruct the children. I figured out two things:1. it's not easy!! and 2. I have enough beads to decorate not just the mothers but the whole village. I guess, the girls will be happy to make also jewelry for themselves.

A whole lot of beads

Lunzu

The SOS Children's Villages organization protects and supports the most vulnerable children by building and running orphanages in many areas of the glob. In Malawi, Africa they have three, so far, Lilongwe since 1994, Mzuzu, and Blantyre, which opened the door just 5 years ago. There were hopes that a fourth orphanage will be constructed  this year, but I haven't heard about it, yet.
The Blantyre Village is where I will be going. It is actually located in Lunzu on the outskirts of the biggest Malawian city  Blantyre.

Children in SOS Village

 What I like about the way it works is that the children are living in small homes of about ten children and a care giver, which they call mother. So, the Village is is a cluster of homes and in Lunzu there are ten, which  means approx. 150 children.
The SOS Children's Villages also supports the surrounding communities in many ways, they build schools, nurseries and medical clinics, and they run a far reaching Family Strengthening Program, which benefits children in the community.
I am going there to see all that.

Children in SOS Village

Tujire lives in Lunzu and it seems that she is one of the oldest children there, the  majority of children are very young, it seems that most are in primary school. I hear that Tujire is good with helping the younger ones and guiding them through their chores.
I am not sure if they all have things like mosquito nets, electric light, not to mention food, clean water, seeds for the garden, and maybe books and toys because they are children.
The global economy is effecting the orphanages and they are struggling.

http://www.soschildrensvillages.org.uk/sponsor-a-child/africa/malawi/blantyre-village-report

Banana bread anybody?

Since my decision to go to Africa I am getting a lot of encouragement and support from friends, and friends of friends. All of the sudden I am talking to people I've never met before who have advice, who want to help, who know someone who went to Africa and is willing to share ideas and experience.
The most impressive woman I've talked to is Barb Giraud, who bakes banana bread to raise money for children in Africa. Her story started with a visit to Uganda and developed into an unbelievable and awesome project. I admire her tremendously and wonder where does her energy come from? The power of human will is amazing.
There is Barb's remarkable story - her blog below.




http://jaajabarbshomeofangels.blogspot.com/

A little girl named Tujire

 A little girl named Tujire

Just painted this portrait of Tujire from a picture that  was sent to me when I first started sponsoring her. In the picture she was 10 years old. Oh, I know it's hard to believe. She was new to the orphanage then and she probably lived through too much already.  Well, I trust that she got her childhood back, or at least a part of it. She now lives in a safe home, goes to school, she learned to do her chores, help others, she is a kind and a  responsible young girl.  Her 14th birthday is coming up very soon, she grew and so did her hair, and she smiles now.
I am very much looking forward to seeing her in person and the other 150 children in the orphanage. I want to see their every day life, hear their stories, hope their hope. I want to see the country village and the lives of people there, I want to see the whole picture and make sense of it. I think, I know what to expect, but then, I think it's a bit arrogant to think so. I can only wish that something good comes from my visit and that my help matters. I am grateful for SOS Children's Villages organization  soschildrensvillages.ca and the wonderful work they are doing to help children in desperate need all around the world.

A little about Malawi



Malawi's national flag.



Known as "The Warm Heart of Africa" Malawi is a small country in the south of the continent. Surrounded with Zambia, Mozambique and Tanzania, and a huge and awesome Lake Malawi, which it shares with its neighbours. Malawi has population of just 15milion people and majority of them are young. The capital city is Lilongwe. The national flag shows three colors: 
red - for blood of it's freedom fighters,
black - for the skin color of it's people and
green - for it's beautiful land.



 Malawi, from what I gather, is a very beautiful country and it's people are famously friendly, however economically it is among the poorest countries of the world. There is a lot to be done to improve the life of Malawians and, let me tell you, the good news is: this year Malawi got a new awesome President Joyce Banda.  She has a history of acting in interest of women's rights, protection of children from poverty and abuse and fighting hunger and poverty in the country. She is a founder and a creator of People's Party. She doesn't tolerate corruption, promotes democratic reforms and works hard for economic renewal. She is amazing and truly serves her people. Personally, I am very excited and believe in her with all my heart.



image source: google/ images



Seeing the Queen as Malawi is a Commonwealth Country

A little about myself

I am a Canadian, lucky and privileged to live in this wonderful, developed, safe, free and beautiful country.  I am conscious of this because I didn't grow up here and my life could have been a different story. In my heart I carry endless gratitude for all opened minded and generous people who made my life here easier. I suppose, I am trying to pay it forward.

Is life ever easy? I don't know. It seems that it could be easy for some, but then, we all have the ability to create our own misery if universe does not provide it.  But for many around the globe, actually most, I think, misery is generously provided from birth and on, and on.

I don't really think I can change the world (I gave that up sometime in the seventies) but my life has to mean something, I've always believed that it just has to count in some way beyond my own existence.  

Well, I am now ageing gracefully, I am a mother and a grandmother but I still have enough health and energy to do what I want to do. Art was my life long passion and I spend more time painting oils now than I did when the kids were young.  I very much enjoy painting portraits. People in meaningful moments of their life, like weddings, or children are gratifying to capture, but there is nothing as much fun as painting pets. Not just because I like the animals but I get such a rush from the owners' reaction when they receive the finished artwork.  Oh, the disbelieve, the "jumping up and down", the screams, the happy tears - there is nothing like it.

All commissions from my work between now and March go toward Africa.  There are several projects and ideas that I would love to bring to life in the orphanage if I had enough money. I will talk about them in my blogs to follow.

www.elizabethkozlowski.com

The first step

When I first decided to sponsor an orphan child somewhere in the world, I had no idea that I would actually be on a journey toward Africa.
It is happening! I am going to Africa!
Far side of the globe, the land - mother of all, soaked in sun, beauty and pain.

Malawi on the map

The child that was chosen for me was an eleven year old girl living in Malawi, Africa.
It took me a while to realize that it was a relinquished dream of mine to see Africa and now I have a purpose to fulfil the dream. I've decided to visit my sponsored child in her village and see for myself what more I can do to help.
My trip is set for three weeks in March 2013. I know the address of my destination and the rest of it has yet to unfold. I invite you follow this blog to witness where this journey takes me every step of the way.