Here are some of our favourite pictures from Starfish Malawi

The 4 images below are part of the reason Chris Knott, CEO & Founder, started Starfish Malawi, which has helped to change the lives of so many in Malawi

OLD KAPUTU SCHOOL 

When Chris Knott went to Malawi on his first trip in 2003 this was his first recollection of Kaputu school - just derelict buildings and disconsolate staff. Starfish rebuilt the school which has become a model school for the whole of the district.

 Starfish on the Beach

Chris had heard the Starfish story many years ago as an insurance broker and always thought that it would be part of his life. Little did he know that when he went to Malawi in 2003 that the name of the charity was already written, because it tells about the great need and helping one at a time.

 Jane

In about 2010 we met this little girl called Jane at Bulamo. To Chris “Baby Jane”. She had cerebral palsy, couldn’t walk, but God spoke powerfully through her into his heart that it was “for such as these” that Starfish existed. It brought Chris to tears, but he will never forget God speaking through this girl, who sadly died a few years later.

 Little Girl on the Floor

Starfish seek to care for those who are so vulnerable through lack of healthcare and food. This child lost her mother and Starfish provided baby formula milk so that she could live and grow up. We continue to provide for such children.

The Children at Moyo

In 2018 whilst walking in Moyo village, the UK team came across these children and asked why they were not in school. The team were told that the children had to walk a long way to school each day and if they got there late, they were turned away.  They also have difficulty in the wet season as they walk across country that can be flooded. With the team that day was a representative from Mission Direct, a UK charity,  which enables facilities to be funded and built by volunteer teams. That day the primary school at Moyo was born so that the children would no longer have to walk so far to school. Trinity school opened in 2020.

Tools store at Ngolowindo Primary School Vocational Workshop

In 2018 when the UK team visited the school, they were shown the workshop for vocational training and told of the way in which the students were to be taught skills such as carpentry, electrical wiring, mechanics and others.  One of the team asked why it was not in use and the answer was that although the government had promised tools, none had been given them and they had waited a year.  Through an association with Tools With a Mission, Starfish Malawi were able to supply a lot of tools needed to be able to start meaningful work with the students.

Desks for Classrooms

So many classrooms have no desks, so the children are sitting on hard concrete floors, which is not a good way to learn. Starfish launched an appeal to fund the local manufacture of desks. This was very well supported by individuals and trusts. We have been able to supply many desks and the children and teachers are so pleased.

Village Children

Wherever, you go in the rural villages, the team are always greeted by many laughing, smiling children. They are a joy to behold, for even though they have so little, they come and welcome the team and enjoy being in their company. They are so appreciative of all that Starfish are doing for them.