Build a future for children in a conflict zone

Mah Di’s orphanage continues operating in the middle of the war and the COVID-19 crisis, and it is adapting to the new hygienic and health measures.

The Primary School remains functional. Most children are living in the orphanage, so there is not risk of outside transmission of COVID. Teachers respect hygenic measures at the beginning of each class.

However, the older children of the orphanage are no longer going to secondary school, for the last 3 months schools have stopped all over the country.

Students at Mah Di’s orphanage have taken up vocational training activities like hair-dressing, pastry-making, and sewing. This keeps the children busy and is a great means of acquiring skills out of the classroom. Mah Di’s Orphanage has also organized private mathematics classes and created a section for self-education of the students within the orphanage. These classes serve as revision forums and children help each other solve problems under the supervision of teachers and Mah Di. However, many different teachers are needed and there are not enough finances right now.

It is sad to note that the piggery was attacked by swine flu, and 25 pigs died. The two surviving pigs were sold and two new piglets of opposite sexes were bought to restart. The poultry farm is functioning,about 500 birds are being reared right now. A small extension of 30 birds was done. These are not for meat, but meant for producing eggs. The orphanage continues engaged in the cultivation of green vegetables for sale and consumption. Each new farming project is an opportunity for the children to learn valuable skills and get in touch with nature. 

Some well-wishers have donated foodstuff such as plantains, rice beans, biscuit, soybeans and juice to the orphanage, as well as cash.These donations have served as a complement to the food stock of the orphanage.

You might have noticed some changes in the project description. After reviewing the current needs of our supported social centers, we have agreed with them to focus on supporting their efforts to keep their children educated in this very difficult context of civil war. Most funds will be used to help the centers pay teachers’ salaries so education can continue even with their reduced resources.

Upcoming donations will be used to recruit private teachers for the children of secondary school level, so even if they are not going to school they can keep learning. We will also continue paying the primary school teachers with your support. 

Words from Mah Di:

Thank you for your continuous support, especially in paying the salaries of the primary school teachers and also for assisting us with daily bread in the midst of the pandemic and ongoing crisis.Thanks again and may God continue to bless ALL our donors.