A Visit from Mada’s Family

Mada has been at Hope Village for about 7 weeks, and his aunt or uncle have faithfully made the 3-hour bike ride here to check up on him once per week (yes, that is a 6-hour bike ride for just a brief visit. This speaks volumes on their commitment to Mada.)  

On the uncle's last visit, he said he makes this long round-trip bike ride because "I don't want Madalitso to forget his family, to forget that I am [now] his dad."

Mada's Uncle and Aunt have scarified a lot for him and his siblings

The 1st week in the baby house, Madalitso's aunt Mary came to visit him. She said she wanted to stay here so she could learn to care for Mada when he returned home with her.  She brought Mada's twin Joseph and Mada's 3-year old brother Thomas with her as well, since the older children were at school. 

Mada's "oh-so-chubby" brothers, twin Joseph (left) and 3-year old Thomas

 came to stay at the Baby House with the aunt for a week. 

They 3 stayed for 5 days, at which time the aunt realized that Mada's rehabilitation requirements would prohibit him from coming back to the harshness of village life for another few months.

Being a full-time farmer, she had to return to their farm and expressed her gratitude that Hope Village was willing to continue with his care.

"I feel like we have failed Matalitso, since we were unable to take care of him properly in the village," she said as she was preparing to return home.  "Oh, the contrary!" I said emphatically.  "You have saved his life! You brought him here when he was so sick. You took him and his siblings into your home when they were orphaned. You have done all that you can--and more--and it's a beautiful testimony to your love and commitment to the children," I tried to reassure her.  

The aunt, Joseph and Thomas packed up and returned home on September 14. We did not know this would be the last time we saw baby Joseph alive, as he died just 3 weeks later.

 We brought Joseph into the Hope Village clinic 2 weeks ago to check on his health. 

He was strong, happy, crawling, standing, and bigger than any 

Malawian toddler we've met.  I put Mada on the floor next to him to show 

the size difference of the now-18 month old twins.  

We never imagined this would be Mada's last visit with his twin.

Mada's 7 year old brother Chamanza looks a lot like Mada. 

He was out for 2 days with the aunt and his young brothers, 

but we encouraged her to send him home so he would not miss 

any more school. He wasn't too happy at this decision (you can tell by this picture). 

Chamanza was dirty and in rags when he came to stay, 

but we found clothes to fit him from Annie's Closet. 

Thanks to Sherry Carter in Fallbrook for sewing this smart looking smock!

Mada’s sister Matale and cousin Gracie were eager to come visit Mada too, so we arranged for them to visit Mada his first weekend in the baby house.   When we drove to their village to pick them up, a 3^rd girl with a packed bag got in the car with them.  Okay!  This is so typical in Malawi!  Who was she? Did her parents know she was driving away with strangers for the weekend?  Her name was Chitkumbutso (meaning “Memory “ in English). She was another cousin of both Matale and Gracie.

Gracie, Chitkumbutso and Matale enjoyed their weekend with Baby Madalitso. 

We are trying so hard to keep him connected with his family in the village.

Although the 3 girls spent Friday and Saturday night with Enert and Mada in the Baby House, they spent most of their days with us at our house – loving on Mada, playing cards, watching movies, getting their nails painted by Annie.

Annie apples nail polish to the 3 girls plus a few more from the neighborhood. 

Mada sits on Chitkumbutso's lap