2009 was an exciting year for us. We built & repaired wells, and fed & educated orphans in remote villages in Malawi, Africa. Sometimes it’s hard to believe that we just formed Equitas a little over two years ago. I’ve visited Malawi twice, and have been inspired by the brave and courageous hearts of my friends there. They are hard workers, committed to their families, and have a love for life that spreads through the joyous eyes of their children. I’ll be returning to Malawi this April, and can’t wait to hear the singing and exuberant laughs as we walk through the villages.

There is still much work to be done in Malawi and its surrounding nations. I recently read an article in the Charlotte Observer about children in Nigeria being sent out into the streets by their instructor to beg for food. In Nairobi, Kenya, families of up to 10 or more children survive on one simple meal a day. In Somalia and Congo, schools are poor or nonexistent, and chores as simple as fetching firewood can be death sentences. And in Mozambique, teenage girls are pressed into marriage, cutting short their education.

Do you see the one commonality in all of these scenarios? Children. When countries suffer from war, poverty, or disease, children suffer first. Children suffer the most. They are the innocent victims of murderous warlords, abusive fathers, and money-hungry, drug-pushing pimps.

We are committed to community development in Malawi, and will continue to provide clean water and resources for villages there. In the months ahead, we will be increasing our efforts to help vulnerable children in Malawi and beyond receive the food, shelter, and education they need. Please check back often for updates on our projects. We cannot do this without you.

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