Walking, Wishing, Praying For Food ...

At each village clinic this week, the number of children and caretakers seeking food and medical support escalated substantially.  

Today, the team screened about six hundred children at two sites.  

At times, the scene was quite frenetic.  

I can't imagine walking for two hours and then waiting with hundreds of other women and screaming children for two to five hours for a chance to see a young doctor to gain possible admission to a program that provides free magic food that may save my child's life.  

I remain in awe of the determination and spirit these women demonstrate.   

One must learn patience and gain comfort with flexibility in rural Africa.  

I am reminded of a phrase uttered all over the world.  

"Yes.  It is possible.  God willing."  

Rarely, a day flows as expected.  

Surprises are the norm - some pleasant, some not-so-pleasant. 

Fortunately, many of the kids who arrive at the clinics remain outside nutritional crisis.  

Yesterday and today, doctors and nurses associated with the project I am working with "enrolled" about a hundred severe and moderately malnourished children in their monitored, home-based, therapeutic feeding programs.  

Enough nutritionally rich food ("Chiponde") is provided to feed each enrolled child through a week to two weeks, until he/she returns for testing. 

I am told most of the children "enrolled" will die if they do not receive immediate help.  

Right now, Malawi is deep in the stretch of "Hunger Season."

Many mothers I interview share stories of extreme poverty, a complete lack of resources, no food, and many mouths to feed.  

It is common for children to get just one or possibly just two small meals a day.  Often, all children receive are small amounts of corn (nsima) and other vegetables. 

The still images above were taken in between my documentary efforts with a video camera.  I am very challenged to communicate the emotion and character attached to this critical work.  

Each day, I am stretched in many ways - emotionally, creatively, technically, and physically.  My experience, however, is nothing compared to the struggle all around me. 

At many moments each day, I see and feel a sense of desperation and hope in the sea of mothers who come together with a common goal - an embrace of compassion.  

Yesterday, a blind woman with no husband and two young children came to one of our clinics.

Despite her physical handicap, she supports her small family on a tiny farm.  She told stories of tending her crops by feeling her way through the fields with her sensitive hands.  Her daughter led her to the clinic to seek extra food.  

One cannot help but reflect on the blessings we experience each and every day.