Another byproduct of Memory’s Relief Effort is that her community and the surrounding 18 villages are gaining a deep respect for a young woman. Respect is something that is usually reserved only for men. Memory, with our help, is changing that. Memory is also speaking directly against corruption to the very people who participate in it at all levels. From the women she is hiring, to the chiefs of the 18 villages, to the head of World Vision in Kasungu, and even to the local police. Her words are being heard. Finally, the words of a woman are being listened to and are being respected. I don’t need to tell you how much this means for the future of little girls and women in Malawi.

This morning I received Memory’s e-mail and am forwarding it directly to all of you as I know that her words mean far more than mine ever could.

November 30, 005 Hie Christie How are you? I hope you are doing fine. I am so thankful for the project we have started here in Malawi. I just want to let you know how much thankful people are: On November 18, 2005, I went home to distribute maize for planting. I bought 150 bags for 150 families. Each bag was 5kg and the distribution took place at the former Ergo School. It was really something, people gathered at the school around 9:00 am. These people were all coming from the 18 villages we are dealing with. However, these people all came with their chief who presented them. The deal to find the right people went as follows: chiefs were told to identify the needy people in their village and bring the names to my grandfather. It was the duty of my grandfather, Morroco, Dan and Mr Ngozo to scrutinize the names if they were really the right people. At the end of the day, I was happy to give this freely gift of 5kg maize seed to the people who really deserved it. However, I also included the chief who had a privilege of receiving one bag per chief.

Before the distribution, I had a chance of addressing almost 200 people who came to witness the distribution of the freely given gift. Well, to those who did not know me it was their ample time to see me. It was time to share to the people my passion for them as well as your passion for them. I warned the Chiefs against corruption and oppression of the poor. This part of my speech made people to laugh and clap hands. Furthermore, I told them that I report to police whenever I find any one practicing corruption.

After that, a happy time came whereby people received maize. Most of the people could not leave without saying thank you. They told me to extend their thanks to you and all the people who have stretched their hand on this. Women kneeled down to me saying Memory thank you so much, for what your friends have done. We have rich people here but they do not count on weak and poor people like us. This is extra-ordinary thing among us in the history of this area. “Now I have hope for next year because I will be able to grow” one of the women who had nothing in her home narrated. The other beneficiary sat beside me crying with joy. She said Memory you have been an answer to me. I have prepared the land last month but I did not have the seeds to plant. She has been searching for piece of work but no avail. Men were so humbled because they did not expect a girl to come up with such a good program. I hope this will be a learning point. Since, they regard women as people who are dull and always waiting for the ideas from men. I did not here much of their comment but one thing I know is that they are humbled. However, I am so happy to have this so that it shall encourage the children not to quit school.

Pictures were taken only that I have not yet developed them. Please bear with me. I am trying my best to keep in touch with you donors. Nevertheless, I do not have a straight access to the internet. However, I will try to work on this problem so that we should be in touch. The other thing I would like to do is to let the beneficiaries speak to you donors on how much they are thanking you. I will be going home on the second weekend of December. I will call some of the beneficiaries and ask them one two questions about the maize seed they have received. YOU will excuse me because am just writing everything actually am using the computers at ABC. In addition, with information I will get I will send it so that you will receive an audio tape. The last weekend Henry traveled to Karonga and he has bought 103 bags of maize and 1 bag of rice. This shows a step a head in this relief project. Actually, am very thankful to you Christie and I do not regret having you as my best friend. I know in one way or another I have disappointed you. I am not perfect. Thank you so much for being such a darling to me. To the extent of helping my fellow Malawians of which you do not know. This is an extraordinary love to me.

The other program I would like to implement in the season is the buying of fertilizer. I know that fertilizer is expensive at same time I know that maize cannot mature well without fertilizer. This has been bothering me so much and I have a conviction that fertilizer is another good idea for these people. Do not worry about the money I can always make use of the same money. The only problem is that not every maize seed beneficiary will have access to the fertilizer the elite.

So far, we have a security guard who has started working his work two days ago. This is a brilliant idea because it makes me to feel at easy as am here at school. I have six women whom I will be working with. This will be an exciting time though I also know that they will be some challenges to be faced on the way.

Last week, I was alone thinking how I could be part of the world changer. The answer that came into my mind is that Memory, you cannot be part of the world changer if you are not able to change yourself (by this I mean my thinking capacity towards humanity). Take care I love you so much Memory Chazeza.

Memory is aware that I am sending her e-mails to all of the people who are helping us with this effort although she has told me that she is embarrassed of the grammar and spelling errors that she is making because she is in such a hurry while typing. She doesn’t want you to think that she is uneducated. You see, she is being charged by the minute to use a computer and even though I am sending her the money to cover the cost of our communication, she doesn’t want to waste any money that could be better spent either in helping our 22 girls, or in helping with the Famine Relief. I am sending her e-mails to you unedited as I believe that the power of and effect of her words come across beautifully just as they are. I do not presume to improve on them. In response to her desire for fertilizer, I plan on sending another wire or $6000.00 to buy both fertilizer as well as more maize.

Famine Relief Fundraising Status

I am thrilled to report that to date, we have managed to raise $18000 Canadian dollars! I have already wired $12000 and intend to send another $6000 on Monday, Dec 5th. This money has come from an incredible variety of both individual donors as well as Rotary Clubs. The individual donors include family members, former and current students, friends, teaching colleagues from both Pearson College and St. Michael’s University School, and donors that I have never met but who are connected to the people mentioned above. These friends and colleagues have donated approximately $4000.

I have also received donations from individual Rotarians from District 5370 (Alberta) as well as District 7390 (Vancouver Island). These individual Rotarians have donated approximately $4500. The third category of donations is that of individual Rotary Clubs. These clubs include the Oak Bay Rotary Club, and the Rotary club of West Shore, both from District 7390, as well as the Edmonton Northeast Rotary Club, the Rotary Club of Edmonton Mayfield and the Rotary club of Edmonton, all from District 5370. These clubs together, have added the remaining $9500 to total $18000. Memory’s first e-mail to me regarding the famine was dated October 28th, which means that it has taken only 1 month to respond to her request with the first $12000 being wired to Malawi within the first two weeks.

A few cheques continue to trickle in, and I will be sending the money to Malawi at intervals over the next 5 months. If any of you know of anyone else within your circles of influence who might be willing to add to our efforts, please know that I have not finished my fundraising and would welcome any additional donations.

My words of appreciation pale in comparison to those being expressed, right this moment, by Memory and the people she is trying to save, educate and empower.