By Sr. Lilia Conol, MMS

My full-time involvement in the AIDS program and Home-Based Care here in Malawi had given me access to people’s homes, mostly the poor and the needy of the nine parishes assigned to me. Orphans continue to increase as a consequence of the AIDS/HIV epidemic and the future for the children looks bleak. My hope is that the prayers of these orphans for a nurturing environment free from physical and emotional hunger be granted.  It is spiritually nurturing for me to spend time with the children as they learn to play with numbers and the alphabet.

Milikah and her daughter Chimwemwe (meaning joy) in their home during one of my visits. Chimwemwe died a month after this picture was taken – another victim of the AIDS epidemic.

Milikah’s house and porch are now used by pre school orphans on weekday morning hours for their maize-soya porridge and learning their ABC’s and counting numbers while waiting for the porridge to be cooked.

A Mass in commemoration of all, those who have died under our care and prayers and of healing for those who are sick. The officiating priest is Fr. Pino Giannini, a Comboni missionary who is always willing to help us.

A 30-kilometer ‘Big Walk’ for the AIDS/HIV victims, orphans & elderly. Mrs. Rehina Makswel walking beside me is the chairwoman of the Ndirande parish HBC-Volunteers for the past 5 years now.