One year on, team members share their thoughts on the challenges and opportunities of Cyclone Freddy.
Recorded in October 2023
Transcript:
After the Cyclone Freddy happened we visited so many camps preaching the gospel and giving out some flour as a relief measure
So that has also been an eye opening to me as regards to the problems that people face when it comes to disasters like this
Initially the work started with would I say it immediate response relief. So distributing food to the camps. And with that distribution also sharing the gospel with people. But in the recent months it’s been more about rebuilding the houses of some whose homes fell during the storm.
From the time that we met with the problem of the cyclone Freddy we started to visiting in to the different camps and also we share the food and right now we are rebuilding the houses for the few families and we are already finishing nine houses
The great part of Cyclone Freddy is that we were able to visit as many people and preach the gospel in an environment where the hearts are so ready to receive the gospel in the camps that we’ve been trying to visit we are the only organization that has been able to make an impact both spiritual and physical
We’ve been able to go there and preach the gospel on a weekly basis some organizations just visited the camps once and gave them like five kgs of maize
Very encouraging because when the brothers and sisters from other countries when they listen the problem here in Malawi they take part to help us
So this is [a] very [great] encouragement And I pray for the sisters and brothers who will take the part to help us here in Malawi
And also I ask them to continue to help us because we have still a problem here
It’s been a good opportunity to share the love of Christ in a practical way. We’ve gotten to know some people that we wouldn’t know otherwise. The situation is not over and we’re in for a really bad couple of months because of the destruction of crops from the cyclone.
And the needs aren’t going away. They’re just getting more and more. So pray for wisdom discernment and kind hearts. Caring hearts.
We praise the Lord for a very enjoyable and profitable week of teaching at our 2024 Bible Conference.
After an unavoidable hiatus due to Covid and cyclones, it was wonderful to host over 50 of our volunteer literature distributors for a week in the Word of God.
We took the entire letter of 1Corinthians as our subject for the week. This ensured that we focussed on the major themes and really important lessons of the book. It also helped the brothers see how a complete Bible book is a consistent whole.
We had to restrict the number of attendees due to our current space limitations. Nevertheless, some brothers came from Mulanje and Nsanje in the South, and a few from Lilongwe in the Central Region. At least one brother even came from neighbouring Mozambique! Many commented that they had never had the privilege to attend such a Bible Conference before. Based upon the written feedback they gave, many were learning fundamental Bible truth and principles for Christian living and Church life, for the first time. It was thrilling to see their rapt attention during the teaching sessions, and their engagement during the group study workshops. As usual, the Q & A sessions provided abundant teaching opportunities too!
During one of the breaks near the end of the conference, Anna gave a short presentation to introduce Nthawi Ya Baibulo, the children’s Bible study curriculum which we are translating. I was encouraged to see a healthy interest among a number of the brothers already engaged in children’s work. Hopefully, this will be a real help to them in reaching the young people in their areas.
Next Bible Conference, God willing?
We have already begun to think about when our next Bible Conference will be. We have only been able to reach a small percentage (less than 1/5) of the volunteers we regularly supply with literature. It is impractical to reach them all in their own areas, and impossible for us to host them all at Saidi, at present. So, we have a real dilemma. Do we invite a fresh cohort of 50 so that we reach more individuals? Or, do we invite the same group back in order to build upon what they have just learned? Please pray that we will have wisdom to make that decision.
Please also pray that, if it is His will, the Lord will enable us to build suitable accommodation to facilitate more conferences, and to host more people. This would truly be an enormous blessing for the work.
Teaching SessionBoys will be boys!Workshop SessionHand-washing before lunchScreeWorkshop in one of the Summer HutsnshotQ & ATeaching SessionSome of the BrothersGroup PhotoWorkshop Group
In March 2023, Cyclone Freddy, one of the strongest tropical storms to hit southern Africa, ripped through Malawi. In the space of 72 hours, the storm poured out half a year’s worth of rain, leaving devastation in its wake. An estimated 2,267,458 people were affected by the disaster with 659,278 people displaced in 749 camps. The evacuation camps were mainly sturdy structures within affected communities such as schools, churches and halls.
The Cyclone most severely impacted the southern districts of Malawi, including Zomba, where SALT is located. It affected not only SALT’s close neighbours but also our volunteers in various districts. While SALT could not do the heavy lifting in this disaster, it was a great privilege to come alongside our neighbours and volunteers at such an unprecedented time.
Emergency food response
Brother Goodson speaks at Ngabu camp which had 563 displaced families
SALT visited 7 camps in three districts (Chiradzulu, Chikwawa and Zomba). SALT began responding at Lisao camp in Chiradzulu district then in camps in Zomba district. SALT “adopted” these camps paying them routine visits roughly every two weeks. Later in the response, SALT visited camps in the lower shire region which still had large numbers of displaced people.
The routine visits to evacuation camps were a unique element and especially helpful when it came to forming relationships and sharing the Word. Many camp managers said that they received food assistance only once from government or other organisations. This was a challenge because the food would quickly run out due to the large numbers of people there. Through the routine visits, families received regular support and heard the Good News preached.
We also provided food assistance to vulnerable members of the community. These included families from surrounding villages, assembly members, and volunteer distributors.
Overall, SALT distributed over 16 tonnes of maize flour under the Cyclone Freddy response.
Rebuilding homes
Enelesi (in white) stands with brother Harold (far right) outside her home under construction
Our response’s focus soon shifted to rebuilding when camps were closed to allow students to return to school. SALT constructed new homes for 14 families and assisted 3 families with partial rebuilds as they had other parts of the structures intact.
In the rural areas, many houses are made with mud bricks and some use only mud for mortar, making them particularly susceptible to extreme weather conditions. Though the rebuilding work faced significant challenges such as soaring prices of cement and building materials, we are thankful that families were assisted with safe and secure lodging.
Enelesi, is a single mother of two from Lisao camp. She had this to say when SALT constructed a new home for her: “I never expected that I could have this home. I would ask myself while I was at the camp, I’m single… How will I find a home? Will I afford a home – even a thatch one?… I’m really thankful.”
Responding to ongoing cyclone-induced food insecurity
Maize purchased to respond to food insecurity
Though not all families lost their homes in the storm, many families lost their crops. SALT purchased maize to cater to ongoing food insecurity caused by Cyclone Freddy. SALT purchased 12 tonnes of maize to assist with responding to these needs.
Demonstrating the love of God
Brother Jim and brother Harold share the Good News with families at Lisao Camp
Above all, we are grateful for the opportunity to demonstrate the love of God and share the Word at one of the most unprecedented times for Malawi. Through the response, new connections have been formed. Even those we may not have a chance to meet again were left with God’s Word – a gift that will remain with them.
“The great part…” shared Brother Harold, “is that we were able to visit as many people as possible and preach the gospel in an environment where the hearts are so ready to receive the gospel… I was greatly encouraged that as an organisation, we’re able to identify these needs and be able to carry on and touch the lives of people physically and spiritually.”
The Headteacher of Nanjiri School which was sheltering displaced families also echoed these sentiments when the team visited the camp. “I’ve seen a difference compared to how others come to help…” He said. “Today, we’ve received both kinds of help… physical and spiritual… I don’t know what moved him (brother Goodson), but I believe it was the Holy Spirit that led him to get up and come…”
Conclusion
Malawi was hit with a record-breaking natural disaster, which led to loss of lives, homes and livelihoods. Many were left wondering if and how they would move forward from such a crisis. SALT responded to immediate needs while seeking to support future needs through rebuilding homes and food assistance. We are thankful to all who supported this response and made it possible to give not only practical help but also a message of hope at such a desperate time.
Food Insecurity has improved only marginally after Cyclone Freddy. Many areas, especially in the Southern Region, remain in Crisis (IPC Phase 3) and remaining official maize reserves are only enough to feed 200,000 households for 1 month, according to official estimates.
We praise the Lord for His faithfulness and help during the first week of MGO 2023.
Although much smaller than most previous years, the team still managed to distribute several thousands of Seed Sower texts, and many people listened to the Gospel preached in the open air meetings.
As in former years, the prison visit on Wednesday, and the Children’s Day on Saturday were outstanding highlights.
We arrived at M* prison to the news that they had several suspected Cholera cases. A team from Headquarters was on site to assess the situation and to advise on preventative measures, so our gift of a hygiene pack for each man was particularly timely, and exceedingly welcome. Almost the entire prison complement returned from their work in the fields to listen to the Gospel being preached.
On Saturday, around 300 children were present to listen to the Gospel presentation and to enjoy the activities and games laid on for them. It is humbling to think how little it takes to brighten the lives of these most impoverished children. Pray for them.
