FIRST LADY VISITS HOMME OF HOPE ORPHANAGE
Expressed her admiration for the efforts made by the founder of the orphanage Reverend John Chipeta
By Vincent Khonje – Mana.
In a heartwarming gesture of compassion and support, Malawi’s First Lady, Madame Monica Chakwera, paid a visit to the renowned Home of Hope Orphanage in Mchinji on Wednesday.
The First Lady’s visit was made possible by a Warm Children’s Heart initiative which is a China-Malawi joint action.
In her speech, Madam Chakwera expressed her admiration for the efforts made by the founder of the orphanage Reverend John Chipeta and the staff at Home of Hope.
“When I was asked by the Embassy of China to identify an orphanage where this event could take place, Home of Hope Orphanage immediately came into my mind having heard what Reverend Chipeta has been doing here. I really appreciate the work that Home of Hope is doing here for our vulnerable children,
“The work that Home of Hope does here coincides with my passion for the children of Malawi. You are all aware that through my Shaping Our Future Foundation we are already supporting children and girls in need of school fees, children found on the streets, individuals suffering from mental distress, and others,” said Chakwera.
Chakwera was in the company of the Chinese Ambassador to Malawi Long Zho, who also led a team of Chinese medical practitioners who will camp at Home of Hope to treat children who have different ailments.
The First Lady also thanked the gesture that has been shown by her Chinese counterpart, Professor Liyuan who she said has always shown passion to improve the plight of the children of Africa.
“She is a woman with a golden heart, a woman with a warm heart for the children of Africa. Through the Warm Children’s Hearts event, she has helped many children in Africa. This indeed is an event from the warm heart of the First Lady of China to the children of the Warm Heart of Africa, Malawi,” she said.
She then urged well-wishers, non-governmental organisations, and the private sector to go and support children at Home of Hope to ensure the holistic development and well-being of all children.
Chinese Ambassador to Malawi, Zho, said China is a good friend and sincere partner of Africa and the Chinese government supports the development of children worldwide.
Zho said they have brought free medical services and donations to the children in the Home of Hope Orphanage to convey warmth and care.
“Today, we are working with the first lady on this “Warm Children’s Hearts” health care activity, which is another successful cooperation between our two sides,” said Zho.
Board chairperson of Home of Hope, Penston Kilembe, said the institution’s raising children is strategic to ensure that the children develop and grow up well.
“Our approach involves the moral, spiritual, physical, and mental being of the child. These guiding principles are unique features and aim at building a complete child,” said Kilembe.
Kilembe hailed the Chinese Embassy for the medical personnel who will be at the orphanage treating children who have various ailments.
Warm Children’s Heart event is organised as part of the China-Africa Joint Action, and this year the event is coordinated by Professor Pefg Liyuan, wife to President Xi Jiping, of the Peoples Republic of China who has close ties with the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD) in which Chakwera is part of.
In addition to medical treatment, there were also some gifts for children, such as medicines, blankets, maize flour, red beans, and cooking oil.
Founded by Reverend Chipeta, Home of Hope is situated on the outskirts of Mchinji town, and has been a beacon of hope for countless orphaned and abandoned children.
Reverend Chipeta, a respected and revered figure, founded Home of Hope over 25 years ago with a vision to provide a safe haven for children who had lost their parents mainly to HIV and Aids and other unfortunate circumstances.
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