Catherine Tchongwe from Group Village headman Mathambo in Jalavikuwa in Mzimba felt immense joy when Ebenezer Community Development organization (ECOD) knocked on her door, bringing gifts they had gathered from well-wishers. The kind gesture deeply moved her.
On Saturday, ECOD, along with generous supporters, helped a family of five. This assistance was especially for Catherine, a mother struggling with a lifelong sight challenge, and her four children.
The support came at a crucial time, just after Catherine’s husband had fled. Yet, well-wishers have continued to stand by her, offering much-needed support.
Catherine Tchongwe (Centre) captured with her family
Catherine expressed her gratitude, saying, “I am thankful that people continue to help my family, despite the challenges in our country. These kind souls could help their own families, but they choose to help me instead.”
She added, “My husband left me with four children. As you can see, I cannot work. My children are the ones who help me.”
Catherine wished for more support, particularly for her children’s education.
“People have always helped my family, but I wish an organization would support my children’s education. With an education, they will not only support themselves but also help the family when I’m gone,” she said.
I was born visually impaired says Tchongwe (L)
ECOD’s project officer, Shadreck Haswell Thenda, promised continued support saying they will fulfill of their organization’s vision and mission says the vision a transformed community where none lives in poverty and the mission that says to empower the poor and the vulnerable to attain their human rights.
“I am so happy for what others had done for this family by constructing a house. I first heard about the family in 2022, and today I am here to do our part. We will continue supporting them,” Thenda stated.
He also emphasized that ECOD will provide fertilizer for Catherine’s family so that the family should be food secure in the next growing season.
Group Village Headman (GVH) Mathambo, Traditional Authority Jalavikuwa in Mzimba expressed his gratitude for the support ECOD had given.
“As local leaders, we are deeply thankful. Catherine has no one to care for her, as her husband ran away, and we have no idea where he went,” Thambo narrated.
He also appealed to well-wishers to support the children’s education, noting that this would provide lasting hope for the family.
ECOD provided items such cooking oil, washing and bathing soap, blankets, plastic plates, sugar, soybeans, sleeping mats, salt, matches, large basins, shoes, tea leaves, 7 tins of maize and K100,000 in cash.