By Ellie Hagey
Ellie Hagey recently visited Malawi to hold and care for babies orphaned by AIDS. “Although Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the world,” she writes, “there is no short supply of laughter, joy and smiles.”
In November I boarded a plane with six friends and headed for Malawi, Africa. We went to the Tiyamike Mulungu Center, run by Will and Pam Phillips, a center that houses close to 140 babies and children orphaned by AIDS.
We all went for different reasons. I had been to Africa before and this beautiful but troubled continent has gotten into my blood. I love Africa, the sights, sounds and smells but most of all the spirit of her people. That, and my belief that we are all connected, made we want to go and hold these children and perhaps cause a smile to spread across their faces.
Although Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the world, there is no short supply of laughter, joy and smiles. Each morning we were woken by children singing as they went to their showers, and the “baby ladies” chattered happily as they washed the many baby nappies (cloth diapers).
These children eat the same thing every day, have only the barest of clothing and essentially have no toys. They manage to find things to do with scraps they find lying around. We took soccer balls and their joy was boundless.
I always feel “fully alive” in Africa. These children make me feel pure joy.
I have talked to all the members of our team and we are all struggling with Christmas this year; not because of the true meaning of Christmas but for what it has become.
I went into Costco soon after my return and nearly wept. I saw stacks of items everywhere I looked. Then I looked at the faces of the shoppers. There were few smiles and lots of tension in the air. I remembered the stats that 20 percent of the world consumes 80 percent of its goods. I knew, right then, my life has to change. I am still processing how that will look, however.
We will celebrate Christmas this year spending time with friends and family but you won’t find me in a shopping mall.
Until I am able to return to Africa I will hold these memories close to my heart.
For more information about the Tiyamike Mulungu Center, check out their site at
http://freewebs.com/tiyamike-center/index.htm
About Ellie:
Ellie has worn many hats as nurse, childbirth educator and ESL Instructor, while her passion to make a difference in the world has led her to travel to Asia, Africa and Central America on humanitarian missions. She recently moved back to Seattle where she resides with her husband, Doug.
