Family standing in front of the home built as part of the housing program in Malawi

Building Hope in Malawi

The recent years have been tough for Malawi. Already struggling to recover from the economic impact of COVID-19, Cyclone Ana struck in January 2021.  Then subsequent tropical storms displaced more than 190,000 citizens. Before the storms, many of these poor Malawians were already living in inadequate shelters. Their makeshift abodes – homes made from mud bricks, straw, tarps or tin scraps – were in danger of collapsing anytime it would storm. Many have been rebuilt. But until these families are able to upgrade their situation – and live in sturdy, storm-resistant shelters – they will be destined to lose their homes all over again when the next severe storm strikes.

Woman standing in front of her house made out of mud bricks, devastated by Cyclone Ana
Virginia Goodson of Thanganyika Village lost most of her home to Cyclone Ana. She puts up sheets of tarp to cover up the sections of her house that were washed away. But what Virginia really needs is a sturdy, storm-resistant home built of cement blocks with a metal roof and door that locks!

THE SOLUTION: SAFE HOMES FOR VULNERABLE FAMILIES

Last year, Cross International worked with a local partner in Malawi, Ambuya Development Center, building homes for three displaced families in the remote villages of Thanganyika, Samama, and Ngundo — all located about an hour’s drive west of Blantyre. This project impacted three adults and 10 children, giving them a safe place to live and thrive. Over the next year, Cross and Ambuya will build four additional homes, impacting four adults and 16 children.

These families are led by widows or single women, and a sturdy, dignified home will immediately improve their families’ well-being and quality of life.

Team working on the construction of a home in a village in Malawi
Family homes are built with cement blocks similar to the ones shown in this photo. Each block is fabricated on-site and dried in the hot Malawian sun. Unlike traditional mud bricks, these sturdy blocks will withstand cyclones, floods, and other weather events that plague these hard-working families.

Each cement-block house includes a metal roof, a sturdy, lockable door, two bedrooms, a living space, an elevated concrete foundation, and runoff for rainwater. The project covers materials, a contractor, and quality assurance checks.

Father and son participating in the construction of their house
Roderick Macheso and his son are shown here participating in the building of their new home alongside a construction crew. This hands-on experience gives participating families a sense of dignity.

MEET THE PEOPLE OF SOUTHERN MALAWI

Nelson Kansemo standing in front of their old home with his mother and sisters

Recent severe weather events have made farming nearly impossible for 17-year-old Nelson Kansemo and his mother, who live in Ngundo Village. Since his father passed away, farming has been the only source of income and food for this family of six, who live in a cramped mudbrick hut with a straw roof and plastic tarp stretched across the front of the dwelling.

A stable home would ease the family’s burden, protect them from wind and rain, and allow Nelson to achieve his dream of finishing school.

You can join us in bringing hope and safe shelter to more families.

OTHER STORIES

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Help Children With Disabilities

The UN estimates that between 93 and 150 million children worldwide live with a disability. In developing countries, these children are often unable to attend school, play outside or access specialized resources. Negative stigma or superstition among their parents, neighbors and community leaders often reinforce these barriers.

This year, we’re providing $60,000 worth of medical equipment to Kupenda for the Children in Kenya. This is a very remote location, and your gift will help cover the shipping costs to this very worthy medical outreach.

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Heal the Sick

In developed countries, basic medical supplies such as gauze, wraps, bandages, and syringes are commonplace. Unfortunately, that is often not the case in the developing world. Christian doctors and volunteers in developing countries frequently run low on these supplies, and they also lack the funds to keep large inventories on hand.

This year, we’re providing $84 million worth of medicines and medical supplies. Your gift will help cover the shipping costs to medical outreaches in some of the most remote areas of the globe

This gift will benefit: Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Kenya

Build a Family a Home

A gift of a safe, secure home is tangible affirmation of God’s love for a desperate family — it brings hope, health, stability and opportunity. Most poor families must settle for much less. Mired in poverty, they are forced to live in unsafe shacks fashioned from mud and thatch.

You can provide the life-changing gift of a safe, storm-resistant new home with Cross partners Ambuya Development Center in Malawi and Hope of Life in Guatemala. A new home will ease the family’s burdens, protect them from the wind and rain, and help them achieve their dreams.

This gift will benefit: Guatemala, Malawi

Education

The gift of an education is an investment that reaps long-term dividends for a child’s future. By opening doors for the children of the poor to enroll in Christian schools and get the same educational opportunities as their more economically well-off peers, you are giving not just a hand-out but a “hand-up.”

Your gift will fund Christian education to nurture vulnerable children mentally and spiritually — for thriving futures that will transform hopeless places.

This gift will benefit: Haiti, Ecuador, Uganda

Rescue Women and Children in Crisis

Through emergency child rescue services, vocational training, anti-trafficking programs and Bible literacy classes, Cross International is helping vulnerable women and children reclaim their lives. Inspired by Jesus’ love, we work shoulder to shoulder with our in-country partners, empowering them to create change that lasts so that those who need help will eventually be able to stand confidently on their own. Be a part of this good news and make a life-saving gift part of your holidays.

Your gift will help protect victims of gender-based violence and also help save marginalized women and children from harm.

This gift will benefit: Haiti, Guatemala, Nicaragua

Provide Clean, Safe Water

Our ministry partner, the Kachere Development Center, has an ambitious plan to install 20 wells, providing 5,160 adults and 8,414 children with clean water. Our goal is to finance the drilling and installation of one well – part of an entire community water system, which includes training to maintain the well, and sanitation and hygiene training for improved health.

One borehole can provide 2,800 gallons of safe, life-sustaining water every day. Help us bring clean, safe water to one of these villages today — in a way that will last for generations.

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Give Tools for Sustainable Farming

One of nine people worldwide survive on less than $1.90 a day. Without training and supplies to grow moneymaking crops and breed profitable livestock, poor farmers stay locked in the cycle of poverty.

By supporting this fund, you’ll help families break free of poverty — transforming lives for generations. When families get the training and tools they need, it means bountiful harvests and small animals that produce income for a sustainable business model.

This gift will benefit: Guatemala, Nicaragua

Feed Hungry Children

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization estimates that 811 million in the world suffer from under-nourishment. By providing the gift of food, you will save the lives of thousands of hungry children and their families in developing countries.

Your gift will provide meals for ministry partners such as Divine Shelter Schools in Haiti and Hope of Life in Guatemala. A generous donation during this season of giving will change lives forever.

This gift will benefit: Haiti, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Malawi

Most Urgent Needs

Inspired by the love of Jesus, we work shoulder to shoulder with local leaders overseas, equipping families with the resources they need to thrive – basics like food, clean water and healthcare, as well as longer-term community transformation projects that will ensure lasting change.

By giving to our Thriving Kids Initiative, you’re not only meeting children’s Most Urgent Needs, you’re also helping lift their families – even entire communities – out of poverty.

This gift will benefit: Africa, The Caribbean, Central America, South America

Feed Hungry Children

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization estimates that 811 million in the world suffer from under-nourishment. By providing the gift of food, you will save the lives of thousands of hungry children and their families in developing countries like Haiti, Malawi, Guatemala and Nicaragua.

Your gift will support the provision of meals and other basic services that are essential for survival. A generous donation during this season of giving will change lives forever.

This gift will benefit: Haiti, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Malawi

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