So I finally have set up paypal for those who are interested in helping out my friend Margaderina. However, I have a lot more than I originally asked for (at least $200) which is AWESOME. Thank you thank you thank you from the bottom of my heart. I honestly believe she will be so thankful not only for the money, but mostly to know that people from all the way across the world care about her and what she is going through.
My plan when I return is firstly to tell her that my family and friends have heard about her situation and decided to help her. She doesn't know yet that we are doing this so I know she will be ecstatic, it's not every day that something like this happens. Next I will immediately set her up with a bank account as a way to safely store the money. Jealously may be a problem (as it is almost anytime someone receives some kind of help or prospers in any way, regardless of circumstances - it's a cultural thing), so I am going to sit down with the chief of my village to let him know what the plans are as far as helping Margaderina. That way if there is any issues with other villagers (jealously, people saying things to her, trying to take advantage of her) he can address it directly.
Lastly, I am going to be helping her on a month-to-month basis to see how she handles the money. I am thinking of starting out at like $30-50 per month for the first few months to see how she does. If there are any issues (which I really don't believe there will be because Malawian women are EXTREMELY responsible), I will work with her to resolve them.
I promise to keep you all up-to-date on how she is doing and if ever have any questions please feel free to ask. Also, if you ever feel like sending her a note please do, I am sure she would love to hear from the people who are so generously helping her out. You could write the letter to her and address it to me and I will translate it and give it to her. I'm sure she could really use some encouragement.
Also, I know there are some people who have pledged to donate but were waiting until I set up paypal. To you guys I want to say a very sincere THANK YOU. You have three options...One is that you can still donate to her through paypal, even though I've raised the amount I think she needs she could possibly need more (maybe in the future). The second option is to give to the women's group which she is a member of. Not only do I want Margaderina to get a bank account, but I would like the rest of the women as well to get one. If they all get accounts with Opportunity International (awesome NGO by the way) then they can apply for a group loan which they are all interested in for their small-scale businesses. The only issue is money for transport to the closest OI bank, which will be about $5 round-trip for each of them to go. So for 13 women it will cost $65. So that's another option. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, is another project I am working on right now. I just finished writing a proposal to build an Under Five Health Clinic designed to give free, vital health care services to pregnant women and young children. This project costs around $4,000 and will be funded by anyone that is willing to give. Hopefully this project will be approved by the Peace Corps asap and then the project will be posted on the Peace Corps website (http://www.peacecorps.gov/) for anyone to donate. So please be on the lookout for that.
If you decide to give, please email me to let me know exactly how you want me to use the money. I will say it again and again and again...THANK YOU.
Now I'm off to Malawi!
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