The Story of Mr. Zammawa Kanayisi & Mrs. Tyness Maliwata

Mr. Zammawa Kanayisi, aged 74, lives in Nkhosa Village in Dowa, Malawi. Born in 1951, he is married to Mrs. Tyness Maliwata, who is 72 years old. Together, they have three children who, in search of greener pastures, have abandoned them. They are now left caring for their only daughter at home, who suffers from epilepsy.

Due to old age, their ability to work and provide for themselves has drastically reduced. Mr. Zammawa is gradually losing his eyesight, making it nearly impossible for him to engage in any income-generating activity. This has left Mrs. Tyness as the sole breadwinner, despite her advanced age and frail health. Her limited efforts are not enough to sustain the family, resulting in days when they go without food.

They live in extreme poverty in a small, dilapidated house with a leaking roof, which puts them at risk during the rainy season (November to March). The house is structurally unsound and may collapse if heavy rains fall this coming season.

Mr. Zammawa and Mrs. Tyness represent many elderly Malawians who, despite working hard in their youthful years, live their final days in hunger, vulnerability, and neglect. Their situation is dire.

Without immediate support, they will continue sleeping on an empty stomach, risk losing their only home to the coming rains, all while their daughter with epilepsy remains in danger due to poor living conditions.

Your support will:

Provide them with food and basic needs

Build a safe, decent house for their family

Assist their daughter with medical care and daily essentials

Provide them with start-up agricultural inputs

Let us restore dignity to Mr. Zammawa and Mrs. Tyness in their final years. Together, we can ensure they live in peace, safety and happiness.