Battling the Beast

Special Truck Need

 

(Donating? STOP! See below re: Options)

WHO WE ARE*
Love a Village (LAV) is a registered Canadian charity working in a community of over 5,000 people, in over 45 villages in Northern Malawi. We are a grassroots organization, that doesn't give handouts, but uses a wholistic approach, by coming alongside villagers and empowering them to escape extreme poverty and live self-sufficiently. 

With a population of over 17 million,  approximately 85%  are trapped in the vicious cylce of extreme poverty. According to the  World Bank, Malawians are living on less that $1.90 USD/day. We've seen it. Our friends live in handmade mud brick grass thatched homes, drink contaminated stream water, run out of their staple food about 6 months after harvest, don't have access to a proper local health facility, practice poor hygiene, and get little more than early primary school education.

Our goal is to work together with local leaders to provide villagers assistance in acquiring skills in the following project areas: clean water, food security, safe shelter, health & hygiene, girls programmes and education, for themselves and their families in order to be able to change their future's trajectory for generations to come. (more pics at bottom)

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OUR NEED
Currently we are without a reliable vehicle to access this remote community. Our previous vehicles have been a 1994 Pajero (engine seized) and 1996 Patrol (now requiring unobtainable parts). We are in an area approximately 30km in diameter, with low lying mountains, riverbeds, rocky terrain and large crevices to maneuver around. We're stuck, leaving our friends inaccessible! Pics of some of our many breakdowns can be seen here .

WHY DONATE FOR A TRUCK? 
This is an important question, with a simple answer. Without a truck, the projects won't happen. We need to be able to get to our village friends in order to be able to help them. You should see their faces light up when they hear the truck in the distance and see it appear on the horizon! They are so EAGER to learn and have us work with them to help provide hope and a better future for themselves, their children and their grandchildren! 

WITHOUT A TRUCK
• We cannot reach the people
• Our projects will stop
• Our friends' will stay trapped

We know that we are one of many many worthy causes to engage with, and give to financially. I can personally assure you that your donation will make a difference and that funds will go directly to the purchase of a reliable newer vehicle to help keep our projects moving along ... literally! Twice annually I visit, to ensure our projects are being implemented fairly, accurately and honestly. Directly engaging with our friends is developing a mutual trust between us, deepening and strengthening our relationships.

What we're working with:
• We don't want new, because of how that can look to the people in the village
• We don't want old, because it'll break down sooner. We're looking in the 8-10 yr old range, hoping to have it last us 10+ years 
• We won't likely find anything in Malawi with a reliable maintenance track record
• All vehicles are imported - we'll bring one from Japan to Tanzania and pick it up there, to save money
• Have to find a make that has spare parts in Malawi
• 4x4, high ground clearance, 7 seater, hefty, low mileage

WITH A TRUCK
• climb mountainous terrain
• cross thick muddy river beds
• carry heavy project supplies 
• distribute 100s of Sawyer water filters 
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WE CAN CONTINUE TO
• implement life-changing projects
• transport villagers for training sessions - eg. for 3 day programme in Foundations For Farming (new and better farming skills)
• reach the remotest areas atop mountains
• take sick people for treatment

Would you take a moment to carefully consider helping these villagers receive the help they so desperately need and want?
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THANK YOU!On behalf of our village friends, I want to extend a HUGE personal thank you to you! Your support is something I KNOW they value. When I visit they endlessly thank the people in Canada for coming into their villages and helping them. In the words of our Malawian friends: Taonga chomene!

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