the devastation of COVID school closures
During August have been praying every day and each Monday evening lifting up the needs of children at Shine Village across the region of Zomba district and across the nation.
“Over 7000 Malawian teens as young as 10-14 are pregnant since COVID-19 school closure”
An article featured yesterday inface2faceafrica went on to say
” Education officials in Malawi’s Mangochi district* are reporting over 7,000 teenage girls in the locality who have become pregnant since the country’s government ordered the closure of schools some four months ago to curb the spread of COVID-19. Speaking to local online news platform, Nyasa Times, Peter Malipa, the Youth Friendly Health Services Coordinator for the district, said the current figures are up by 1000 pregnant teenage girls in comparison to last year’s numbers around the similar period.
Malipa added that 166 of the pregnant girls are as young as 10 and 14 years old.”
THIS IS WIDESPREAD ABUSE.
This issue has been causing trauma and pain in villages across Malawi well before schools closed – child marriage, single teen mums, and absent fathers are all common place.
A Global Citizens report on pregnancy in sub-Saharan-Africa also brings to our attention how 830 women died from pregnancy- or childbirth-related complications each day and how 99% of these deaths occur in developing countries, with more than half of them in sub-Saharan Africa, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). We must pray for the churches and government as they work with vulnerable children in these unprecedented days.
COVID 19 and restrictions in UK and NZ
With all fundraising events canceled and working families feeling the impact of lockdown, we trust in God’s way to sustain us here in the UK and those who benefit from our essential work in Malawi. One thing we know is that the God we serve is not callous and deafened to the needs of people but a faithful father. We do not have to panic but listen, learn, and follow where He leads.
The inflation comparison table of Malawi and the UK over the past TEN years paints a picture of the landscape we have journeyed through together.
Shine Relief Malawi began in 2010 with great expectations in God not our own capabilities. We have walked out this faith together knowing that to minister to the poorest, the orphan and the widow are high priorities on God’s agenda. Each year we have seen the provision come in at the right time.
We are so grateful to all those who pray for Shine Relief- we believe this is what makes the difference.
Although we do not see exactly how we will continue to deliver all which we do, we perceive by faith how God can move and show us his miracles. He has moved in such a mighty way over these ten years and he will never fail us.
Whatever situation you are in right now, with the uncertainty of future income and the increasingly pressing needs around us, we encourage you to speak out the promises of our Father and allow the peace of God which transcends all understanding to guard your heart and mind. Togther we stand against the spirit of fear and intimidation.
* the district neighbours Zomba district and covers an area of 6,273 km ² ( compared to Zomba district which covers 2,363 km² . It has a population of 610,239 which is slightly lower than Zomba district.
