Yoweli in Malwai

One of the neatest things about going to Malawi, Africa, is that many people got to meet their World Vision sponsor children! In fact, usually the entire village will come out singing, dancing and celebrating together. Also, part of the funds go to improve the village collectively through education, spiritual training, health programs and more. For all involved this is truly a profound moment and a highlight of the trip. This was especially true for Robyn Baran.

One of Robyn’s children is a 5 year old boy named Yoweli who Robyn has been sponsoring for a year and a half. Robyn met Yoweli and his little brother Fanuel and learned more about their situation. Yoweli’s father left his mother for another woman awhile back. Since divorce doesn’t really exist in Malawi, people just marry multiple wives and abandon their first ones. Not only that but Robyn learned that Yoweli’s mother is not very present in Yoweli’s life. She had gone to town five days before and had yet to return for reasons unknown. This leaves his grandparents to do most of the raising. They are the ones who receive Robyn’s letters and who she got to meet.

In addition, Robyn and Yoweli both exchanged gifts. She gave him some stainless steel bowls, a water bottle, school supplies and pencils. He gave her a live chicken and straw mat made by the family which is an incredibly generous gift. Robyn also gave Yoweli perhaps one of the most coveted items among Malawian children, a REAL soccer ball. Yoweli, to say the least, was a very happy kid that day.

So much so that after an hour and a half, when it was time for Robyn to leave, he refused to let go of her. Robyn hugged him again and tried to leave yet he refused to let go a second time as well. Robyn, who was almost moved to tears, finally gave him one more big squeeze and pried him off of her.
Climbing into the truck she waved again and as they drove away she watched Yoweli run after them, waving good bye in the dust. It is a moment she will treasure forever.

Meeting a sponsor child is a powerful thing. It takes those who seem so far away and distant and makes them real. Now when Robyn prays for Yoweli or writes to him, he is no longer just a picture on her refrigerator door but an actual little boy who she has met and held and who values her love and support. In the end visiting a sponsor child isn’t about going to someplace exotic or giving them gifts. It’s about meeting a new family member and that is something worth far more then $35 dollars a month.


-Jeff Jordan