Help for orphans and diaconal work in Malawi

Stichting Stéphanos
Stichting Stéphanos is an inter-church foundation with a Reformist identity. At Stéphanos people from various Reformist churches work together. The aim of the foundation is to alleviate poverty, in particular in Malawi. The aid is for orphans and other diaconal projects. Stéphanos offers aid regardless of skin colour, race or denominational background. Christianity is promoted in the Stéphanos projects.

The work of Stéphanos
Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the world. One of the greatest problems in the country is the large number of orphans, which continues to increase sharply. Stichting Stéphanos has several aid programmes in Malawi for orphans. Stéphanos currently helps over 4200 children. In addition Stéphanos also supports various other projects in Malawi. Here are some examples of these projects:

Orphan Village
The Stéphanos Children’s Home is made up of nine houses which provide permanent homes for orphans. The children are given food and drink, medicine, clothing and tuition. In each house a Malawian woman looks after and educates the children and they are also supported by the home’s directors.

Daycare
As well as the children who live permanently in the Stéphanos Children’s Home, there is a large group of children who come to be cared for at the orphan village on a daily basis. In the morning these children go to the village school and after school they go to the Stéphanos Children’s Home where they get a meal, clothing and medical care. Stéphanos hopes that in the future day-care can be set up in other locations.

Village Programme
Stéphanos also has a village programme. Villagers within a thirty kilometre radius of the orphan village are supported in their care of the orphans. They care for the children themselves but receive economic support for agricultural projects and micro credit. Each village has a committee that is responsible for this programme.

Wells
Water is a basic need in Africa. 43 percent of the Malawian population has no access to fresh drinking water. Many villagers, for example, have no water pump. Stéphanos has well boring equipment to enable people to have fresh water. This prevents various illnesses and in all probability increases life expectancy.

Information
Interested? Further information about Stichting Stéphanos can be obtained from Mr J.W. Akster, Tel: +31 522 46 44 28. The postal address for the foundation is: Postbus 34, 7950 AA Staphorst, The Netherlands.

Donations
If you want support the work of Stichting Stéphanos in Malawi financially, please make donations to the following bank account (IBAN): NL 74 RABO 0335 3074 50) in the name of Stéphanos in Harskamp, The Netherlands.