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.