A note from John 11/7/22
El-Shaddiah Orphanage Update
I thought it was a good time to update you all on what is going on at the El-Shaddaih Orphanage in Malawi. Much like the USA is in turmoil, the country of Malawi is in turmoil too.
A couple of things; Blessings called us a week ago and was more upset than I have ever heard. At the orphanage, they were in the midst of a cholera outbreak. As usual, they never have any spare funds. And worse yet, the orphanage vehicle is needing repairs, and there was no way to get to the store to get medication. I suggested to Blessings that she call the chief of police and ask if he would assist her in taking the sickest children to the hospital and then drive her to get medication for the rest of the children. She explained to us that the whole country is out of gasoline. Even the chief of police had no fuel for his car! We were able to get a doctor from Fort Dodge, Iowa, to communicate with her online to determine a treatment plan for the cholera outbreak.
As in the United States, Malawi is experiencing inflation. The inflation in Malawi is even worse than it is here in the states. The cost of food has skyrocketed in a country that already spends about 60% of the family “budget” on food. Thankfully, the orphanage was able to get a few acres on the edge of Lake Malawi to plant rice. The Lord seems to take care of them in many ways. As He does for us too!
Some good news to share! We have been praying for more people to step up and donate funds to the orphanage, due to the increasing cost of everything. Several new donors have found their way to the website and are making a difference! They come from the states of Florida, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Iowa, North Carolina and more!
I am so happy that the El-Shaddaih Orphanage was able to complete the church/school building. It has become a wonderful blessing to everyone. We are now considering hiring more full-time teachers to teach the high school children. This would enable the high schoolers to stay on the compound, rather than go to a boarding school, which is very expensive compared to teaching them at the orphanage.
Current funding needed:
- Solar equipment to cover the whole compound-$30,000. The country loses power daily for hours at a time and keeping the power on is desperately needed for refrigeration, water flow & bathroom needs.
- Razor wire for the top of the compound walls-$10,000 (to keep thieves from stealing from the orphanage grounds)
- A reliable vehicle-$? (cost contingent on amount that donors are willing to give)
- 200 desks for the classrooms @ $90 each-$18,000 (required by the government)
- Mattresses, 140 new mattresses @ $80 each-$11,200
- Equipment for a computer lab-$5,000
- Completion of the boy’s hostel-$50,000. (It has been partially started)
Generally, all money donated goes directly to the El-Shaddaih Orphanage. Blessings for El-Shaddaih Inc (BESI) is a United States based non-profit that exists to help financially with the needs of the El-Shaddaih Orphanage. Our family has committed to cover the wire fees and website costs in addition to the other money we give.
We have a passion for all kids to get educated in order to break the cycle of poverty in each family and in the community of Salima and the country of Malawi.
There is a growing list of people interested in making a trip to Malawi to visit the orphanage to worship with them and minister to their needs. If you feel like that fits into your future, let us know and we will get you on the list.
Also, if you see a category of need above that you want to give to specifically, email or call and we will accommodate your generosity.
God bless,
John Sklenar
712-830-6400
