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"And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward."
 

Fiskani O. M. Chirwa

MMM Field Officer
Embangweni, Malawi

OMChirwaA.jpg (31837 bytes)
"The Shallow Well Program is in line with my dream
to give protected water to the rural masses"

 Biography:

Mr. Chirwa is married to Murry Tweya, a patient attendant at Embangweni Mission Hospital. They have four children: Nancy, born on July 6, 2000,  and Ben, born on June 11, 2004, plus twin boys born in January 2009. They also have three other children living with them. Rose, his late brother’s daughter born on July 2nd, 1991; Wongani Kisebe, his late sister’s son born on February 2nd; 1996 and Tiwonge, his sister’s daughter born in 2001.
Mr. Chirwa attended Mabiri Primary School from 1980 to 1989. His Primary School Leaving Certificate allowed him to go on to Euthini Secondary School from 1989 to 1993. He obtained his Junior Certificate of Education in 1992 and the Malawi School Certificate of Education in 1993. Mr. Chirwa was selected to attend University of Malawi, the Polytech, and attained a Diploma in Public Health in 1996. After graduation, he joined Africare. In 1999, he began working in the Primary Health Care Section of the Embangweni Mission Hospital. Then in 2000, he began working as the first Field Officer with Marion Medical Mission (MMM).  

Statement of Faith:

“Since my childhood, I have been a member of the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (C.C.A.P). So far I am a dedicated member of the Men’s Guild, Revelation Choir Director, and a committee member of the Loudon C.C.A.P. Youth Forum. I put Jesus Christ as my light in everything I do.  As such, I am involved in the church activities like preaching the word of God through singing.”
Why I work with MMM:

Growing up in a rural area, Mr. Chirwa witnessed the deadly results of drinking water from unprotected sources. He developed an interest in water and sanitation early, which led him to study Public Health.

When offered a job with MMM in 2000, “I jumped on it because its objectives were in line with my dreams – that is, the wish to give protected water to the rural masses.” He feels his dream is coming true since most of the areas he works with are accessing clean and protected drinking water.

Community Involvement & Personal Achievements as a Field Officer:

Since 2000, I have managed to convince people that “water is life”. In this line, I have:

  • Campaigned that people must always resist drinking unprotected water if they are to see their health improve.
  • Provided advice to communities on how best they can access sustainable sources of safe drinking water.
  • Initiated the construction of more than 1100 wells.
What is the impact of the Shallow Well Program?

The Shallow Well Program has helped “uplift the lives of rural masses economically and health wise.”

  • Since the wells are built at close vicinity to the villages, women and children have a shorter distance to walk to draw water.
  • The spread of water born diseases has been reduced and, as a result, the number of deaths caused by these diseases has gone down.

All in all, this program has been a blessing to the people of the rural setting who do not have access to safe water.
Why is the Shallow Well Program successful?
  • It does not choose people in the communities according to their religious affiliation.
  • It works even in the remotest areas of Africa (Malawi).
  • It is run by Field Officers who were born in poor families in Malawi and have witnessed water problems in their areas since they were children.
What is the Future of the Shallow Well Program and why is your support so important?

The Shallow Well Program is improving the lives of the less privileged people in the rural areas, a situation which is in line with the Millennium Goals. The program must be sustained and the challenges overcome.

Future needs include:

  • Yearly courses for village team members to ensure they efficiently carry out their activities, such as repairing and maintaining the wells in their area..
  • Yearly surveys to verify the functionality of the wells.
  • Refresher courses for FOs in community development.
  • Continue raising funds for new wells and capacity building.

How you can help:

  • Support a  Field Officer: $12,600/year (this includes salary, fuel, food & lodging while working in the rural areas)
  • Pray for the Field Officers and the Shallow Well Program.
  • Tell others about MMM and its programs.

Send any donations for support and/or correspondence to Mr. Chirwa to:

Marion Medical Mission
1412 Shawnee Drive
Marion, IL 62959
618-997-5365
Tom@marionmedical.org
http://marionmedical.org