By Mabvuto Kalawa – Malawi Freedom Network correspondent
“I had no place to live, and now you’ve given me a home,” were the touching words spoken by elderly woman Kaiyatsa during a handover ceremony for a new house built for her by the Wonderful Kids Foundation (WONKIFO).
The foundation, which supports vulnerable children and the elderly, constructed and handed over a house to Mrs. Kaiyatsa, who had been homeless.
Mrs. Kaiyatsa comes from Chisesera Village under Traditional Authority Ndodo Chigalu in Blantyre District, and had been struggling to find shelter, often wandering around in search of a place to sleep.
This initiative by WONKIFO aligns with its mission to support the elderly in areas where it operates.
Speaking during the ceremony, WONKIFO Executive Director Chimwemwe Chabingah called upon community members to help take care of the house and assist Mrs. Kaiyatsa in maintaining it.
She especially urged young people to respect the elderly rather than mocking or mistreating them.
Mrs. Chabingah emphasized that “the elderly are like a firewood stand that extinguishes the flame—they are a source of wisdom and guidance,” and reminded the community that everyone is growing older and may need such support one day.
Receiving the house, Mrs. Kaiyatsa expressed deep gratitude and disbelief, saying it felt like a dream to be given a new house.
She prayed that God would bless Chimwemwe Chabingah, who is also the wife of Bishop Harvey Chabingah, leader of the Christ Mandate for Jesus Mission International church.
The local traditional leader (Nyakwawa) also expressed appreciation for the foundation’s gesture, saying the community could not have managed to build such a house on its own.
He encouraged others to learn from this act of kindness and emulate it.
He further urged relatives of the elderly woman not to seize the house from her but rather help her maintain and care for it.
He also prayed for a long life for Mrs. Chabingah so that she can continue extending such help to others in need.
The Wonderful Kids Foundation is an independent organization operating in Lilongwe, Blantyre, Chikwawa, and Nsanje, with its headquarters located in Mitundu, Lilongwe.
Its other areas of work include environmental restoration, paying school fees for children, caring for the elderly, and promoting women’s rights, among others.
This was the first time the foundation had built a house for an elderly person.
On the same day, the foundation also distributed food items such as rice, clothing, and blankets to Mrs. Kaiyatsa.
When asked how the foundation manages to fund such initiatives, Mrs. Chimwemwe Chabingah explained that they use proceeds from her personal business, as well as contributions from well-wishers, including her husband.
The foundation spent a total of five million Malawi Kwacha (MWK 5,000,000) to construct the house and provide the additional support.
This noble act by WONKIFO stands as a shining example of love, compassion, and the importance of supporting the elderly within our communities.
