There are certainly days when I feel discouraged with work in Malawi.

There is so much need here. People are poor. They struggle with being dependent on hand outs. The government has stolen money from it’s citizens. Everyone wants change, and it always seems to come too slowly.

However, it’s the relationships with people that make our time in Malawi so meaningful and remind us that many people are working for positive change. One such person is my co-worker, and friend, Gibson.

Gibson Mkandawire is a retired sales representative. About 3 years ago, he became aware of the Tidzalerana Handicapped Club and the desperate need of handicapped people in Ndirande. Ndirande is a very poor township in Blantyre, and Gibson himself lives within the community there. He and his large and lively family live off his small pension from the insurance company.

In his own words, he became motivated to help at Tidzalerana “because if people from overseas love us enough to come and work here, we Malawians should be encouraged to do the same”.

Over the past 6 months, I have had the pleasure and privilege to work side-by-side with Gibson. His unique gift is in identifying the most needy individuals at the Handicapped Club and personally offering to give his time to assist them. Often, this means taking a sick child and mother to the hospital by minibus, waiting with them until they are seen, and following up with their continued care. In many cases, the family is in a cycle of poverty so deep that they can barely cope. Not only does he support them with his time and energy, but he is constantly reminding them of God’s love for them and encouraging them to be thankful and grateful to God is all circumstances.

Recently, a very sick child came into the Club. This boy, Iverson, was a replica of the World Vision commercials you see on TV – covered in flies, dirty, sores all over his head and body, sick, and starving. His mother had so little money that she was not eating properly and didn’t seem to be caring for her handicapped son. Gibson took them both to the hospital, waited with them until they received medicine and pleaded with me to assist. We were able to help with some money for Maize and, over the past few months, Iverson has been slowly recovering. The sores on his head have healed, he is clean, and his mother appears to be taking better care of him. I believe that the issue was – and continues to be – more complex than the short term solution of a bag of Maize and some medication. My (far from professional!) opinion was that she appeared to be overwhelmed and discouraged and really needed someone to come and lend a hand.

At Tidzalerana, Gibson is one of those people. He is committed to God’s purpose for him there and he quietly comes alongside to make a difference in the lives of individuals in need.

Last month, Gibson turned 75, but you would never know it! He is fun, lively, spirited and passionate. He spends many of his days working for the benefit of the handicapped people in the Club.

On the days that I find myself feeling less than excited or motivated to work in Malawi, I am impressed by the work and commitment of people like Gibson and I’m humbled to work hard in order to lend a hand to these “poorest of the poor”. I can always count on Gibson – a huge smile on his face and ready with a joke and a laugh – to raise my spirits and remind me that the efforts of 1 person can make a difference.