Peace Corps receives donation to fund Mchinji Orphanage’s Technical Skills Development Project
Read and comment on this Peace Corps Press Release that the Peace Corps’ Office of Private Sector Initiatives (OPSI) is proud to announce a combined donation of $6,134 to fund the Mchinji Orphanage’s Technical Skills Development Project in Malawi from donors including: the Kate MacGillivary Memorial Fund, the Burrell Family Foundation, Friends of Malawi, the Global Fund, and the Varina Rogers Memorial Fund . Read the story at:
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Malawian Orphanage to Receive Donated Fund
WASHINGTON, D.C., April 29, 2003 – Peace Corps’ Office of Private Sector Initiatives (OPSI) is proud to announce a combined donation of $6,134 to fund the Mchinji Orphanage’s Technical Skills Development Project in Malawi. The donors include: the Kate MacGillivary Memorial Fund, the Burrell Family Foundation, Friends of Malawi, the Global Fund, and the Varina Rogers Memorial Fund.
The funds from the project will contribute to two primary development goals of the orphanage. The first is financing technical training for older orphans who have not been able to attend secondary school, but will now be able to graduate from the orphanage with solid carpentry, joinery, and metal-working skills. Secondly, the products made by the students at the training center will be used to generate further income for the orphanage, as their $100,000 annual budget does not cover the total costs of the facility.
The Mchinji Orphanage was founded in 1997 by Reverend Thomas Chipeta in response to the growing number of orphans due to the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Malawi. Currently, there are more than half a million HIV/AIDS orphans in Malawi, a country with less than 12 million people. The orphanage provides full care for the children, including three meals a day, lodging, most schooling, and a safe environment.
There are currently three Peace Corps volunteers supporting the work of the Mchinji Orphanage. Although not their primary assignments in Malawi, all three volunteers are highly motivated to remain involved in the orphanage throughout their service.
One of those volunteers is Joe Colling, whose fishery projects are featured on Peace Corps’ Web site in the “From the Field” section on the home page. Joe has been able to use his environmental skills to establish numerous fish ponds for the orphanage. These ponds help produce fish for the children’s diets, and the surplus is sold for supplementary funds. For more about Joe’s accomplishments, please click on the following link http://www.peacecorps.gov/news/breakingnews/story_colling.cfm .
If you are interested in learning more about Peace Corps’ volunteer projects and how you may donate to their success, please contact Peace Corps’ Office of Private Sector Initiatives toll-free at 1.800.424.8580, ext. 2170, or via e-mail at www.peacecorps.gov/contribute/.
Since 1961, more than 168,000 volunteers have served in the Peace Corps, working in such diverse fields as education, health, HIV/AIDS education and awareness, information technology, business development, the environment, and agriculture. Peace Corps volunteers must be U.S. citizens and at least 18 years of age. Peace Corps service is a two-year commitment. Peace Corps Volunteer Joe Colling Empowers Women Through Community Development in Malawi
Read and comment on this story about Peace Corps Volunteer Joe Colling who empowers women through Community Development in Malawi at:
Peace Corps Volunteer Joe Colling Empowers Women Through Community Development in Malawi
"After hearing from a couple of friends about their Peace Corps experiences, I decided that volunteering overseas was a necessary next step in my life. I wanted to not only see another part of the world, but to live their lifestyle and experience their culture. At the same time, I wanted to help a developing country work towards a prosperous and sustainable future. I also saw Peace Corps as a more valuable and rewarding option than graduate school after earning my B.S. degree."
In his first year of service, Colling has already profoundly impacted the village in which he lives in Malawi. Colling's assignment as an environmental volunteer has taken focus with a women's group in the village. His work emphasizes the role of women in their communities.
Environmental volunteers work to develop sustainable development, increase food security, and create income-generating activities without deteriorating the natural environment in this densely populated country. Colling works with the women's group to construct and maintain fishponds to be used as a source of nutrition for their families and to sell for income. He is also working with them on a tree nursery and beekeeping venture. The women are generating income for the group through honey production. Women in neighboring villages have taken notice of the positive effects of the women's group's activities and are working to coordinate similar groups. Colling works with counterparts in these communities to develop fishponds and obtain fingerlings.
Aware of the impact of this work on women throughout Malawi, Colling comments, "In a country where women strive to be respected, it is encouraging to work with a group which is motivated and taking a proactive approach to helping develop their communities. The women in my area are learning that they can make a difference, and if other groups will follow suit, it may be recognized that women are a big piece of the puzzle when it comes to improving the quality of life in this developing country."
In addition to his work with the women's group, Colling works with the village natural resource management committees and a local orphanage to develop fish farming and tree nurseries. For the orphanage, these ponds help produce fish for the children's diets, and the surplus is sold for supplementary funds. Colling also promotes mudstoves as an appropriate technology for fuel reduction.
"In the past few months, I have learned that development work isn't easy. From the village level to the top, nothing happens easily, but when something does happen it's a great feeling. When you look back at your experience, both bad and good, you will realize that you have learned more than you have taught," says Colling of his experience.
Malawi is a country faced with the daunting challenges to overcome disease, drought, hunger, and environmental degradation. Peace Corps volunteers work with local communities and governments to mitigate the adverse impact of the growing demands on the environment. In collaboration with the local community and government, volunteers have created sustainable development programs that incorporate conservation strategies, while continuing to support the needs of the community. Volunteers have created programs with similar principles to combat the growing rate of Malawians afflicted with HIV/AIDS and to improve the education system.
Colling looks forward to applying the skills he continues to gain. "Working with villagers at a grass roots level has helped me to realize the importance of appreciating the little things in life. A little bit of hard work and persistence can make things happen. Just living in another culture is giving me an inspiring outlook on life in general. My experiences and continued learning will drive me through my future endeavors, whatever they may be," Colling states.
Peace Corps Volunteer Joe Colling's hometown is Shakopee, Minnesota, and he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. After completing his service with the Peace Corps, Colling plans to continue working in the environmental and the international arena.
Peace Corps began its work in Malawi in 1963. Since the program's beginning, 1,927 volunteers have served in the country. Currently, there are 97 volunteers working in the areas of health, environment, HIV/AIDS awareness, and education. Click on a link below for more stories on PCOL
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