"I believe LOVE is the genesis of
peaceful coexistence between human beings."
|
Biography: Mr. Khosa is the
second born in a family of thirteen children. “Being the first born son, I help my
extended family in addition to my own family.” He is married to Faith, a house wife.
In addition to their two year old son, Dhumisani., they also take care of six orphaned
children and providing financial support for Mr. Khosa’s step brothers’ and
sisters’ education.
He attended primary school in the Karonga district and the Euthini Secondary School in
Mzimba. Government sponsorships provided funds for his advanced education: in 1997, he
received a degree in Public Health from the University of Malawi, and in 2000 a Bachelor
of Science Degree in Environmental Health. |
| Statement of Faith: “I am
a dedicated Presbyterian church member who believes that life is controlled by God. I
believe that helping one of God’s people is the fulfillment of Love that the Bible
talks about and that LOVE is the genesis of peaceful coexistence of human beings.” |
Why I work with MMM:
 | The Shallow Well Program provides much needed public health intervention
to prevent waterborne and water-related diseases. |
| It is a sustainable community based program. |
| American volunteers witness the impact of shallow wells. |
| MMM Field Officers have the opportunity to help communities work out a
common solution to develop our country—Malawi. |
| We make Malawian and American friendships, impossible without MMM. |
| Employees work as if we all come from one family. |
| We interact with MMM donors in our work together. |
|
Community Involvement &
Personal Achievements as a Field Officer:
| Since the year 2000, I have worked to introduce and strengthen the program. I introduced
the MMM program in Tanzania where we work with the Lutheran Church in the districts of
Mbozi and Ileje. |
| I have trained new Field Officers in MMM activities and how their partnership works with
communities. |
| I have trained village communities on their responsibilities to sustain the program. |
| I have been signatory to MMM account. |
| I have initiated the construction of at least 700 wells. |
|
What is the impact of the Shallow Well
Program?
| Women walk shorter distances to draw water. |
| Diseases endemic in some areas, have been tremendously reduced e.g. in the Kaporo area,
cholera was a big problem, but now the people report almost zero cases where shallow wells
have been built. The Msumbe area has registered reduced cases of Schistomiasis. |
| The program has taught skills to people in well maintenance. |
| Maintenance people have been uplifted in their areas because of the income received
building wells. As a result, some have built brick houses roofed with iron sheets (instead
of mud huts with thatch roofs). |
| Maintenance people have been given status in the community as some villages have
exempted them from certain activities in appreciation of the role they play in maintaining
wells in their communities. |
|
| What is the Future of the
Shallow Well Program and why is your support so important? The program has a
good future. Things that must be looked at:
| Keep village leaders and community members informed about their
responsibilities’ in the program. |
| Zone Management Teams (ZMTs) must work hand-in-hand with the village well
committees to ensure transparency and accountability. |
| ZMTs must be composed of members elected from villages not nominated by
leaders. |
| Teach courses for shallow well team members every year to ensure they
efficiently carry out their activities, such as attending to breakdowns effectively and
efficiently. |
| Use experienced FOs to start the program in new areas. |
| Add food security activities to the water component. |
| Provide further education for Field Officers. |
| Identify other pump type options for areas not fit for shallow wells. |
|
Future needs include:
| Yearly courses for village team members to ensure they efficiently carry out their
activities, such as repairing and maintaining the wells in their area.. |
| Yearly surveys to verify the functionality of the wells. |
| Refresher courses for FOs in community development. |
| Continue raising funds for new wells and capacity building. |
How you can help:
| Adopt a Field Officer: $10,000/year (this includes salary, fuel, food & lodging
while working in the rural areas) |
| Pray for the Field Officers and the Shallow Well Program. |
| Tell others about MMM and its programs. |
Mr. Khosa has already been 'adopted' but other field officers are still
available.
Send any donations for support and/or correspondence to Mr. Khosa to: |
Marion Medical Mission
1412 Shawnee Drive
Marion, IL 62959
618-997-5365
tommylogan@aol.com
http://marionmedical.org |
|
