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Zach G. and Growing Voices’ Malawian Journey

Nkhata Bay, Malawi, 21 January 2009 – After traveling by car to the north of Lilongwe - along the pristine shores of Lake Malawi - we arrived at the vibrant community of Nkhata Bay. With an estimated population of 15,000, the residents of Nkhata Bay support themselves primarily through subsistence farming and their local fishing industry.

True to Malawian culture, the people welcomed us warmly, inviting us to learn both the successes and the challenges within their community. We were fortunate to have met local advocates, Jomoh Mzembe and Happy Ngwira, working tirelessly to improve community projects and the general welfare of the people of Nkhata Bay. As we developed a friendship with these impressive individuals, we asked how GV could best serve them in attaining their goals.

It was readily apparent that local schools and nurseries lacked basic supplies necessary for them to be truly effective. After spending some time with school directors and local children, it was determined that GV would assist Mr. Mzembe and Mr. Ngwira, who became cordially known to us as Jomoh and Happy, in their struggle to improve their educational infrastructure.

It is our mission to give assistance to ten schools of Nkhata Bay. In addition to GV’s educational support, Growing Voices has donated a computer with the goal of expanding communication with various crucial online networks.

These communication networks consist of local community activists, African government officials and other useful organizations throughout the world. While it is not GV’s intention to enable a system of dependency, we are confident that through the communication tools provided for the community of Nkhata Bay, a powerful transformative voice will emerge.

By strengthening communication networks and providing organizations with a more audible voice, GV will assist in long-term social change. Our adventure has led us towards a deeper understanding of our place within the context of international aid and towards a meaningful relationship with those we have grown to love in Nkhata Bay.