Julie Seath
In many ways, Love a Village began in my heart when I was a young girl as I followed my dad around, while he shared about the work of World Vision. I helped him with the movie reels - feeding the tape through the projector. I remember being captivated by the images of children like me, yet so different from me. I was shocked and saddened by their frail limbs, distended bellies, and the flies that swarmed around their faces. My heart was broken as I looked into the eyes of those children and imagined their lives. Those pictures impacted my heart towards loving people who suffer on the margins.
As an adult, my childhood faith is what has personally led me to where I am in Malawi. I feel called to care for the poor of our world, by helping them voice their needs. Each time I visit Africa, my heart soars and I feel as high as the plane that carries me there! Living with and loving the desperately poor of Africa, while heartbreaking at times, has been an incredible learning journey for me of community and love.
Through a stirring of my heart, combined with life's wild ride of experiences, I have ended up with a deep desire to love those who are hurting. I thrive when I'm advocating on their behalf, seeking ways to help and empower them. As I work with others, I can see how we can combine the gifts and resources given to us to help change lives.
From the time I saw the children in the films my father showed, I longed to go and meet them. In 2011, I finally got to fulfill that lifelong dream and set foot on African soil. I was bursting with joy and expectation. By the end of that visit, I knew my life could never be the same.
Since 2012 I have led teams comprised of family and friends to participate with community leaders in northern Malawi. Through 2013 and 2014 a number of people began to encourage me to consider starting my own charity. In 2015, Love a Village was established and credited with charitable status with the Canadian Revenue Agency.
From the start, I have known that this is something I’ve been prepared for since my childhood. It's been exhilarating to stand back and watch as everything unfolds.
Julie Seath
A little bit about me
My name is Julie Seath. I am a 54-year-old woman who, since 2011, has spent part of each year in Malawi, Africa, advocating for the rights and well-being of her people.
​
Growing up in Canada, a land of boundless opportunity, I felt a profound responsibility to leverage my privileges to champion the rights of those born into vastly different circumstances. This conviction was born early in life, inspired by accompanying my father at age six as he gave fundraising presentations for World Vision. The images of children my age, suffering and deprived of basic needs, planted a deep-seated compassion in my heart. I knew then that I had to dedicate my life to making a difference.
​
My resolve to fight for justice was further solidified by personal experiences with bullying during my childhood. These painful encounters nurtured a determination to speak out against injustice, not just for myself but for those who couldn't find their voice. This commitment was put to the test during my 20s and 30s as a young mother of four, grappling with depression and the challenges of advocating for myself.
In 2011, my lifelong dream of visiting Africa was realized. Setting foot on African soil felt like coming home. The struggles of people living in extreme poverty resonated deeply with me, mirroring my own past struggles. This visit reignited the childhood ache within me and marked the beginning of my journey to find tangible ways to help.
​
Without formal education in development work, but driven by an unwavering determination, I founded Love a Village (LAV) in 2015, a Canadian registered charity. LAV gives a voice to the voiceless in hard-to-reach areas of Northern Malawi, addressing the needs of thousands of families in water, sanitation, hygiene, agriculture, food security, irrigation, reforestation, environmental management, small business, and sewing skills.
​
One of our early projects involved providing Sawyer water filters and rope pumps to hundreds of women, significantly reducing waterborne diseases among children and easing the physical burden of water collection. Witnessing the joy and relief on the faces of mothers as their children became healthier has been a profound reward.
​
LAV is committed to working closely with local leaders and governmental bodies, focusing on empowerment rather than handouts. By supporting and advocating for overlooked populations, we have helped villagers combat disease, secure food, generate income, and access clean water. Our efforts have transformed lives, enabling these resilient individuals to become self-sufficient and sustain their progress.
​
Championing women is central to our mission, as empowering women is crucial to breaking the cycle of poverty. Women, often the backbone of their communities, play a vital role in ensuring their families' health, education, and economic stability. By equipping women with the tools and knowledge to improve their circumstances, we create a ripple effect that benefits entire communities.
​
My journey has been deeply influenced by my own struggles and triumphs, shaping me into a fiercely passionate advocate for the voiceless in the world Through Love a Village, I am committed to continuing this vital work, ensuring that those who are unseen and unheard receive the support and opportunities they deserve.