Train Hard, Play Hard!
The Soccer Friendlies continue with surrounding community clubs and teams. This is Kingsley’s account of another great event… “Mitongwe Soccer Academy welcomed Kandeu Soccer Academy. Kandeu is located approximately 15 km from Mitongwe. They arrived around 10 AM, allowing time to relax and bond before the match. The event kicked off at 1 PM with a prayer and an inspiring talk, followed by the Word and then the soccer games. The girls played first and tied all matches, while the boys triumphed with a score of 2-1. We are grateful to God for the opportunity to share His love and hope with these young people.”
Play Stronger: Advanced Skills Academy
The Mitongwe Academy Team has expanded their itinerary, with Literacy, Spiritual, and Soccer lessons with other neighbouring teams. The children are enjoying engaging with their peers and the chance to help with the lessons, and enjoying their new workbooks.
Uplifting Lives, One Story at a Time
Our Mitongwe Team was introduced to an area of need. A young boy named Chifuniro is undergoing chemotherapy after a cancer diagnosis that required the amputation of his left leg. His family sold their land to pay for his health care, are now destitute, but determined to continue his treatments.
Our team visited his home to share the wonderful news that Stand As One will cover the transportation costs for his ongoing trips to Lilongwe for chemotherapy. To help the family through this incredibly challenging season, his father was offered a job at Mitongwe. He has since joined our Security Department, embracing the opportunity with dedication, arriving an hour early each day, ready and eager to contribute.
Chifuniro’s spirits were further buoyed as the U14 Soccer Team welcomed him as an honorary member; this acceptance and friendship truly mean the world to him and continue as a highlight. He has been involved in our soccer events, there to support, encourage and help train his teammates.
Wheels of Grace
Let's continue with the path of our Mitongwe Team. News had come of a woman who had been disabled for several decades, losing the ability to walk and talk. This has narrowed her life to her small home in the care of her daughter. Our team met with the family and presented her with a wheelchair, allowing her to join in village events and venture to markets. The family was overjoyed, and our team was able to witness some of the needs around us and the blessings of being able to help.
Meet our new Health and Wellness Team in training! We are encouraged by their commitment and learning. They are mastering “Healthy Humans”, essential health information regarding Nutrition, Food Choices, Food Groups and Food Security. “Malnutrition” training is continuing, with an overview to understand the definition and impact, plus how we can utilize Community Outreach, Feeding Programs and Outpatient Therapy. These bright minds will make far-reaching impacts with their community involvement.
Young Minds, Greener Paths
We are working with our Public School to create an Environmental Club. Carol’s update states, “We’ve made solid headway, the site provided by the school has been fully cleared and marked out. Garden beds have already been prepared, and the planting stations have been dug. Next week, we plan to apply compost and begin planting. To support this, a group of students joined Desire on Saturday morning to create a compost heap at the nursery — great teamwork all around! We are excited about the commitment and enthusiasm the students are showing.”
