In mid-March, Cyclone Idai hit South Eastern Africa. What initially looked like a bad storm has turned into disaster for tens of thousands of people, affecting Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi. As a result of the cyclone, many of the communities in Mozambique and Zimbabwe are facing a total loss of their harvest. This will have a devastating impact in the year to come, as many will face a twelve-month-long hunger season.
Malawi | House Rebuilt
Mngwere, Milonde
During Cyclone Idai, heavy rainfall caused many houses in Malawi to be destroyed, and families were left in desperate situations. 11-year-old Martha* and her grandmother, Emily* were among those affected.
Their house collapsed during the night that Cyclone Idai hit. In the morning, they were surrounded by rubble, where their house had once stood. Unable to retrieve anything from their house, Martha and her grandmother suddenly found themselves in a very vulnerable position. They temporarily moved in with Martha’s mother, but this was not a suitable place to live. Martha’s mother makes a living by selling homemade alcohol; an unsafe environment for a young girl to live in.
The urgency of the situation prompted the surrounding community of Mngwere, with the local Hands at Work team in Dedza, to come together to rebuild a home for Emily and Martha. Using bamboo sticks, poles and grass, they created a temporary structure which was weather-proofed using a large roll of plastic to make a roof.
The local Hands at Work in team in Dedza were so encouraged to see the community come together in this family’s time of need.
Blankets | Mozambique
Many families lost all of their belongings in the wake of Cyclone Idai. As the winter months arrive in Africa, the local Hands at Work team in Chimoio, together with the Care Workers, recognised that the most vulnerable children urgently need blankets for them to keep warm at night. At the beginning of May, families in need were assessed and blankets were distributed.
Ask God to protect our families during the winter season. Pray that He will provide them with warmth and good health.