In Malawi, the phenomenon of many children being orphaned by both parents is very common. On the one hand AIDS which is in the form of an epidemic in the country and on the other hand all kinds of diseases, malaria which is so common, combined with the lack of serious health care make the phenomenon of death so common not only in mature age but at all ages. Parents all too often lose their children to a simple fever or some strange illness that often cannot be treated (in one indigenous family we know, the eight-year-old daughter literally melted in hospital, unable to eat anything as all the internal veins were full of blisters. The doctors could not provide any help and the little one died very soon) or a wrong dose of medicine as happened to the ten-month-old infant of another acquaintance. But often the most tragic thing happens: young children of all ages lose both parents and are left deserted and orphaned on the street. “Social welfare” does not cover such needs! Often, in the countryside, the tribal leaders in such cases, on the third day of the parents’ funeral, hold a meeting with the villagers to decide on the future of such cases. Often the children are still left alone at home and the fellow villagers provide them with a plate of food, or sometimes the children are taken over by relatives or non-relatives, industrious families, who, despite the difficulty of meeting the needs of their own family, also take over the orphans. Our church knows personally and supports many such natives.
- The case of Savvas
The newly born native Savas was one of the “lucky ones” who had a job. He was a night watchman with a 20€ salary per month. Unfortunately his mentality of asking for financial support for any issue from his boss made him terribly annoying and as a result he lost this job he had. Result? His family of six, husband and wife, three children and grandmother to be left without even this small income! They and God knows how they save their necessities. Yet, Savvas comes regularly to St., Nektarios Orthodox Church to worship. At the Easter Mass, the Orthodox Church is always ready to receive the Eucharist. At the Easter Mass, Savvas brought with him his orphaned year-old niece who was left on the streets and took it upon himself to raise her along with his own! Can logic explain such moves? No! Only the heart inspires such decisions!
- The case of Suleiman
Suleiman is a Muslim. Perhaps a little lukewarm, yet firm in his faith. Although he has been working for the Orthodox Mission as a guide for over a year and attending activities such as catechisms, baptisms, etc., he has not shown any personal interest in the Orthodox faith. We do not know how God works in each individual soul and neither do we rush things, but neither do we close the eyes of his soul and enlighten his inner being with the truth of our Christ. Suleiman, however, sets an example of diligence to many baptized people as, to his three children, he added two other relative orphans with agape and dignity, to raise them, striving for the best for his family. Our church without partiality helps him as much as it can by giving frequent help in corn meal and receives the sincere gratitude of both his and his wife…
- The case of Flora
Flora is the daughter of a Catholic indigenous catechist. She actively lives Christianity, but not Orthodoxy! Widowed for many years, despite her young age, she raises her four children and the orphaned six-year-old child of her deceased sister, who is also mentally handicapped, alone and without any heavy lifting. She tries in her comfort to do the best for her nephew as well, looking for ways of employment and special schools for his case, which is so commendable. How can our church turn a blind eye to the struggles of such fellow human beings?
- The case of διακο-Nikodemus
Two-Nicodemus has two natural sons and seven other foster children under his wing! He shelters them, supports them, has helped some of them find their way by starting their own families and is constantly by their side. Talking with him and knowing his respected father, we learned that in his family home, they always had sheltered, struggling, relatives. We are not surprised that God blessed his family, raising the newly enlightened Nicodemus to the rank of clergy. We are so glad to see them all progress spiritually.
- The case of Gregory
The newly converted Gregory, in addition to his four sons, undertook to raise an orphan daughter. As a father of many children, he fought exemplary for his family. They all set such a good example with their family churchgoing that many Greek born Orthodox would be envious of. As an educated and working man, he explains that he felt it was his duty to God and his fellow man to do such an act, to take on an orphaned child and raise him with his own. The cases do not end. Every day God is claiming us to know more and more indigenous bio-players in every sense of the word. Struggle for survival, struggle against death, misery, poverty, hunger, disease.
From the Orthodox Mission of Malawi
π. Hermolaus Iatrou
