The News

Giving orphans a home in Malawi

It was no ordinary holiday for three students who set up an orphanage during a summer vacation trip to Africa.

During a month's visit to Malawi, Hannah Branch, 20, from Carlisle, and Luke Benson and Bethanie Walker, both 16,  from Bury established Hannah's Children's Home.

Hannah explained: "I saw kids as young as five-years-old taking responsibility for their baby siblings. It just didn't seem right! We wanted to provide a stable family environment for children who have had an unfortunate life and a difficult upbringing."

Luke added: " We saw a lot of children on the streets – begging - which shows how poverty-stricken  some are. We heard about children who are forced to break into houses so that burglars can get in, as a way of getting enough money for food. By providing an alternative environment, Hannah’s Children’s Home can help rebuild children’s lives.”

Malawi is thought to have nearly 500,000 children who have lost one or both parents to HIV/AIDS and the children's home in Blantyre will help by initially catering for five youngsters under the care of a pastor and his wife who have significant experience in helping orphans and vulnerable children.

Bishop Gift Chaula, whose ministry will oversee the day-to-day running of the children's home, added: "This is just the start of the vision and we hope to provide a loving environment for even more children in the future. The team have sown a powerful seed!"

The idea for a children's home took shape whilst volunteering in a number of youth programmes including visiting children in remote villages and providing food for 35 street children.

The young volunteers were also involved in running a week of football, games and fun activities for around 60 children.

Bethanie, who has just completed her GCSE's at Bury Grammar School for Girls, said: “I played every single game I knew with them! Although it was tiring, it was really worth it to see how happy the children were about the simplest of things. I could blow some bubbles, and they would be giggling for an hour.”

A keen footballer, Luke, who is transitioning from Bury CofE High School to  Holy Cross Sixth Form College, added: “I taught the children  some tricks and some heading and passing skills. I’ve left the footballs I took with the church,  which means all the children in the area can continue to improve and keep fit. They’ve also learned some more team games which can be used at Sunday school.”

In addition, Hannah, the final-year Human Biology student at the University of Birmingham shadowed nurses in the pediatric ward of Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre. There, she spoke to women about the hardship of motherhood.

The three students, are now looking to raise £1,200 to cover six months’ rent at the orphanage and to kick-start the fundraising, Hannah and her mum Angela, are planning to walk 70 miles along Hadrian's wall between 8 and 13 September.

 All are hoping to return to Malawi next year to see how the money raised has impacted the lives of the children at the orphanage.

To support Hannah's Children's Home, please visit www.everyclick.com/hannahschildrenshome