(The last photo are children eating the funded porridge while attending their nursery school!)

My name is Petra Novotny, a junior at Redwood High School, and I am passionate about making a difference for those who are less fortunate.

In the summer of 2023, I had the privilege of volunteering in Malawi, Africa, with my brother and father for over a month. We stayed at Butterfly Space, a wonderful nonprofit organization that offers reduced accommodation in exchange for volunteering on various community projects they support.

During our stay, we had the opportunity to contribute to several impactful initiatives through Butterfly Space. Malawi is considered one of the poorest countries in the world, but its citizens are incredibly kind and always welcoming of help from foreigners.

The activities I participated in included making and distributing baby baskets to new mothers in local hospitals (we used my brother’s and my own baby clothes), teaching a physical education class at an elementary school, reading and playing with younger children, and distributing much-needed sports equipment to a public school. It was incredibly rewarding to be part of these efforts, and I learned so many valuable lessons along the way.

One of the most significant aspects of our mission is seeing how far a donation can go in Malawi. Many children go without breakfast, but together with Butterfly Space, we’re working to change that.

For just 10 cents a day, a child can receive a nutritious breakfast of porridge fortified with nuts. A $25 donation can provide breakfast for an entire year simply by encouraging children to attend school. This not only ensures they start the day with a meal but also motivates them to pursue their education.

Additionally, this initiative helps combat deforestation. Preparing meals at school uses significantly less wood than cooking individual meals at home, reducing the reliance on open fires.

This simple yet vital contribution ensures the children have the nutrition they need to thrive both academically and physically.

If you or anyone you know would be interested in supporting the nursery school or any of Butterfly Space's other initiatives, please consider forwarding this GoFundMe link or supporting the cause directly. My father has been a strong supporter and believer of Butterfly Space. The money from this fund will go to my father, who will send it to Holly, one of the owners of Butterfly Space, with whom he stays in regular contact.

Thank you for taking the time to learn about Malawi and for considering the impact of your support. Together, we can nourish both children and their future.

$25 equal’s 250 breakfasts feeding one child for a year

$50 equal’s 500 breakfasts feeding two children for a year

$100 equals 1000 breakfasts feeding four children for a year!

If you’d like to learn more about Butterfly Space and their projects, please feel free to visit their website here: https://butterflyspacemalawi.com/projects/.