Defend the cause of the Fatherless

One afternoon I was taken out to Orbus, a place whose motto is ‘Defend the cause of the fatherless’. I hadn’t had the opportunity to see the property since 2008 when generous Australians took a 99 yr lease on this land to be used for orphans and vulnerable children. Then the land was bare except for an old tobacco building. The development of the property has been amazing. Now there are 2 large brick dormitories, used as classrooms, an outside kitchen, a general storeroom and right now 2 new classrooms with offices attached are being built. The grounds have been developed with maize, tomatoes and various other vegetables. Fruit trees are growing in an orchard area and are all watered by an irrigating system with water from the river. The newest additions are goats to raise for selling as well as a small pig pen with 2 of the sows pregnant. This week they are starting to construct a chicken run. All this has been possible by the continuing support of Australians and the work of Malawian and Aust. volunteers. More info is on the OrbusAfrica website.

I also was able to see some children receive clothing sent over in the containers. It was a bit overwhelming, but so pleasing, for me to see the ‘end of the chain’ after we’d boxed and packed clothes for these and other children. The clothes they had on would’ve been their only set and were coming apart all over. It was such a delight to be able to give them something clean and ‘new’ to wear. The Chief of the village thanked Australia for thinking of them and assured us they were giving the clothes to those ‘that were lacking’ or the vulnerable. So THANKYOU to every one of you who thought of these children and packed clothes for them; God bless you.