Christmas Day in Kalieka Township starts at the crack of dawn for the committed women cooking for 200 children in our Chifundo Kids program. It’s hard work to prepare a Christmas feast for this many children – supplies must be gathered from the market, rice must be cleaned, vegetables washed and chopped, meat prepared, 200+ bottles of soda purchased and cooking fires maintained for hours! But Chifundo Director, Moses Mtambo reports that the women go about their tasks in the Christmas spirit, without complaint, happy to prepare delicious food for these kids.
Chifundo Kids begin to arrive at noon, all wearing special name tags that verify their registration in the program. There is no shortage of hungry children here and it’s hard to turn children away, but 200 is the maximum we can feed – especially in the space we have and with the volunteer staff available. Though the children are very excited, they do well today and cooperate with the Chifundo team in following directions. While waiting for the feast, the children play games like netball, football and bakha-bakha-nkhuku ( or duck-duck-chicken – the Malawian version of duck-duck-goose). They play with the many toys donated recently by AP supporters and especially enjoy parachute games.
Since we do not yet have a Chifundo facility yet, Director Mtambo secures a large room in a nearby church where all of the children can enjoy their meal together. Before the feast arrives, he reminds the children of the meaning of Christmas, emphasizing that it is more than eating or wearing their nicest clothes. Director Mtambo tells the children that the very center of our celebration is John 3:16 – God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son, so that whoever believes in him will not perish, but have eternal life. The children love to hear stories and listen quietly to what their Pastor has to say.
Now it’s time for feasting…
Then the children release all of their energy and joy in dance…..
What a wonderful way to celebrate the birth of Jesus! Thank you to everyone who worked so hard and gave so generously to make such a day possible for these precious kids!
