In a rural village in Malawi, where few children finish school and treatable diseases threaten their futures, World Vision sponsorship is changing lives.

March 2009

Before World Vision began working in her community, Violet Chimosola didn’t think that her children had many reasons to dream. She knew that in her rural village in Malawi, where poverty and disease are commonplace, the odds of a successful future were against them.

Bold dreams

In this community, illiteracy is the expected norm for children like Davis, 10, and Vickiness, 7. Often, families cannot afford to pay school fees, and some children are forced to leave school to help with domestic chores. The cycle of poverty becomes a trap, as many of these families believe they have no other options.

The Chimosolas were caught in this cycle until World Vision began encouraging children in the community to work hard and dream big. Though Violet and her husband never completed elementary school, young Davis now believes that he can have a different future. “When I grow up, I want to become a bank manager,” he says confidently.

For a child in Davis’ circumstances, it’s a bold dream. Violet believes her son can reach his goal, but she also knows that he will need help if he is to finish school. “I believe the potential is there, but he has to focus more on his studies…the challenges need to be reduced drastically for Davis’ dream to become a reality,” she says.

Help from sponsors

World Vision is working to address the challenges in this community through economic development projects that will help families like the Chimosolas overcome poverty. What’s more, Davis and Vickiness have both been matched with sponsors, who are dedicated to giving them better lives.

Sponsored children receive necessities for survival and funds and supplies for school. This support means that Davis and Vickiness won’t be forced to give up on their education, and Davis will have the opportunity to pursue his dream of becoming a bank manager.

Vickiness and Davis receive regular visits from a World Vision worker, who checks up on the family’s well-being and encourages the children in their studies. Because of this new friend and his sponsors, who communicate with him through letters, Davis is finding the motivation to work hard.

Additional challenges

Though education and hard work will help this family overcome poverty, other challenges, including preventable, treatable diseases, also threaten to steal the future from Davis and Vickiness. In Malawi, malaria is among the leading killers of children. And the Chimosolas know what it is like to be threatened by this disease.

Vickiness was recently sent home from school, shivering and sweating profusely. “We are all very worried about Vickiness’ sickness,” Violet told World Vision staff. The signs of malaria had only been evident for a few hours, but it was soon clear that Vickiness needed immediate medical attention.

At the nearby clinic, Violet wasn’t surprised to find that there was no medicine and no health officer on duty. “You see, these are the sort of frustrations we have been facing in this community. The medical personnel do not seem to be serious in serving us in this area,” she said.

Thankfully, World Vision monitors the health of sponsored children like Vickiness and ensures that they receive necessary health care. Vickiness was driven to another clinic, some four miles away, where she was finally given malaria treatment. Her health began to improve almost immediately. “My daughter’s life was in grave danger, and I shudder to think what could have happened to her,” said Violet, thanking World Vision for their help.

Bringing change

Thanks to the gift of sponsorship, the obstacles that keep children like the Chimosolas from dreaming are being removed. In their village, where those with the greatest need have been matched with sponsors, World Vision is working to transform education so that children like Davis can realize their dreams.

And as preventable, treatable diseases continue to threaten this village, World Vision is also advocating for changes in health-care facilities. “We will press for trained and dedicated health personnel who are well-equipped to provide the primary health care all the rural people deserve,” says the World Vision project manager.

With the reform that World Vision is bringing to her community, Violet is realizing that she doesn’t need to worry about her children’s futures. Because their community is supported by sponsorship, Davis and Vickiness are receiving an education, and their basic needs, including health care, are being provided for. Davis has the opportunity to pursue his dream and reverse the cycle of poverty in his family. "What more evidence do I need to realize that World Vision is a friend indeed?" asks Violet.