help for margaderina

Most of my posts so far have been about certain events, projects, stories, and pictures of things that have occurred during my 9 months of service so far. However, this one is different. One of my friends in my community is a 21 year old woman named Margaderina who is married with a one year old daughter. She is an active member of the Kakunga Village Savings and Loans group, a group of 13 women who lend money to each other to support their own small scale businesses. She also plays on the women's netball team, in which both groups I have been working with. She is a very kind, hard-working young woman. That being said, two weeks ago her husband died suddenly of meningitis.

(This is a picture of Margaderina during a peanut butter demonstration with the Kakunga Village Savings and Loans group)

Taking care of a family in Malawi is difficult, even with two parents. But now as a single mother it's even more challenging. Since most Malawian families rely on agriculture for food and as well as income, she will be forced to do the work of farming herself. It's incredibly labor-intensive, and coupled with the day-to-day responsbilities of women (see my past post, "kakunga women's netball team" to learn just how hard Malawian women work every day), it will be an almost impossible task.

That's why I have decided to fundraise some money for her. I am hoping to raise at least $200 for her and her daughter. $200 is roughly equal to 30,000 Malawian kwacha, which will be enough to see her through this next year, particularly until the end of the hunger season. The hunger season starts in December and lasts until just before the harvest which is in February/March. It's during this time that people begin to run out of maize as they wait until the time when they can harvest and sell their maize, tobacco, groundnuts, etc. It can be a very difficult time for families since if the food runs out they have no cash to buy food or other essentials. This money will help Margaderina to buy vegetables, fertilizer for her crops, soap, medicine, or any other necessities.

The plan is to set her and the rest of the women from the Kakunga VSL group up with a bank account at Opportunity International Bank of Malawi. Any money donated will be put straight in her bank account so that she can access it when she needs to. Since most people in my community do not have bank accounts, I will be working closely with the women, particularly Margaderina, to make sure they understand how to bank properly. So you can be rest assured that the money is safe and will be used only when she needs it.
Therefore, if you are a friend or family member reading this, PLEASE consider donating. I don't care if it's $1 or $5 or $100, anything honestly will help this young woman out a lot. If I will see you when I am home for Christmas feel free to give me then, or else email at kkutzner@gmail.com for more information on how to give.
Again I am asking you to please consider giving to this woman and her child. I know that typically Americans are inundated with requests to give to charities, special causes, fundraisers, etc. But just know that 100% of what you give will go directly to this woman and her child. Think about it...help a family in need!

Thank you!