Care For Residents

Another highlight of our 2024 delegation trip was the opportunity to care for residents in special ways—even outside of our pillars of food parcel distribution, health care supply delivery and educational support.

The moments that many delegates say they appreciate most are the unique one-on-one connections we make.

We cherish the opportunity to wash the hands and feet of the elders and seniors of these communities—and the love and appreciation we feel from the personal touch of massaging in lotion and applying fingernail and toenail polish:

We’ll never forget the joyful laughter as we play with children who we learned very rarely get to do this with their relatives or other adults. The adults here are too busy, picking up available jobs to combat their 65% unemployment in the area. Plus intergenerational play is just not something that has been emphasized here:

We introduced yoga to the seniors and the children, as well. The smiles were infectious, and the idea of prioritizing physical fitness could ultimately impact our “cousins’” health and their long-term life expectancy:

And we will all look back fondly on the children running to greet us when we first arrived in Malungeni—and how they surrounded delegate Patsy Ryan as she was recognized for her playful spirit when she visited last year:

Our focus on food sustainability, improved health, and educational opportunities remain the key to who we are as an organization…

But the connections we make while doing it, are what we may remember most!