Micro Loan for Andrew
Donation protected
I met Andrew more than 30 years ago on Likoma Island in Malawi. He was nine years old and with a group of boys who were teasing me. He led them in a song, “She is combing her hair, combing her hair. And now we will throw her into the lake.” What some “cheecky” little boys! Andrew’s English was very good, and we started to talk. He invited me to his home where his aunt had given birth to a new baby that morning. In spite of their extreme poverty, Andrew’s mother and aunt welcomed me and gave me a plate of fish and grits to eat.
On the way back to the hotel, a woman alongside the road who had seen me at the house said, “You know if you want that baby, they will give it to you.” That was the level of their poverty.
Throughout the years, I have helped Andrew when I could. He finished school with high test scores and went on to become a teacher. A teacher’s salary, however, cannot support a family and Andrew was bright and ambitious. I sponsored him to go to technical college to study electronics.
Stable jobs are rare in Malawi and attained only through connections or bribery. Employment “search” agencies have been known to charge applicants up to $100 US just to apply for positions and be one in a large pool of applicants. Andrew refuses to take part in the corruption so his only opportunity to make money is to do piece work fixing electronic equipment people bring to him.
Andrew now supports his mother, his wife and one child, and four orphaned nieces and nephews. He never asks me for help. He appreciates what I have done for him over the years.
Recently, I asked Andrew if he had money, what he would do and how much money would he need to get started. He got back to me with a plan to raise chickens. The place he rents already has pens. What he needs is enough cash to get the birds, feed, and refrigeration. He has researched his market and has customers committed to buying. With this, he feels he can become independent. I believe he can as well.
I have had so many opportunities as an American. Many times, I think about Andrew and think what he would have done had he had the same opportunities that I have had. Doubtless, he would have taken advantage of every bit of education he could garner, of every job he could hold. He would have also stepped forward and helped those with less than himself, because that is who he is.
Andrew really deserves our help. Please give.
On the way back to the hotel, a woman alongside the road who had seen me at the house said, “You know if you want that baby, they will give it to you.” That was the level of their poverty.
Throughout the years, I have helped Andrew when I could. He finished school with high test scores and went on to become a teacher. A teacher’s salary, however, cannot support a family and Andrew was bright and ambitious. I sponsored him to go to technical college to study electronics.
Stable jobs are rare in Malawi and attained only through connections or bribery. Employment “search” agencies have been known to charge applicants up to $100 US just to apply for positions and be one in a large pool of applicants. Andrew refuses to take part in the corruption so his only opportunity to make money is to do piece work fixing electronic equipment people bring to him.
Andrew now supports his mother, his wife and one child, and four orphaned nieces and nephews. He never asks me for help. He appreciates what I have done for him over the years.
Recently, I asked Andrew if he had money, what he would do and how much money would he need to get started. He got back to me with a plan to raise chickens. The place he rents already has pens. What he needs is enough cash to get the birds, feed, and refrigeration. He has researched his market and has customers committed to buying. With this, he feels he can become independent. I believe he can as well.
I have had so many opportunities as an American. Many times, I think about Andrew and think what he would have done had he had the same opportunities that I have had. Doubtless, he would have taken advantage of every bit of education he could garner, of every job he could hold. He would have also stepped forward and helped those with less than himself, because that is who he is.
Andrew really deserves our help. Please give.
Organizer
Suzanne Zipperer
Organizer
Manitowoc, WI
