Ocean Grove-based charity helping feed African children

A CHARITY created by Ocean Grove local Robyn Casey is helping to educate and feed up to 1000 children in Africa challenged by poverty and societal conditions.

The Mphatso (pronounced ma-par-t-so) Children’s Foundation is a not-for-profit charity registered in Ocean Grove and an NGO in Malawi, Africa. In 2002, Robyn visited Malawi as part of a church mission trip and was challenged by the poverty and societal conditions, but amazed by the warmth and resilience of the local people.

So, in 2004, Robyn moved to the Nkhata Bay District of Malawi and began a small nursery school (kindergarten) to provide children with a nutritious meal and a pre-school education.

Nearly 17 years later, the foundation operates 13 nursery schools and feeds up to 1,000 children a bowl of porridge each school day.

Children are taught by local qualified teachers and cooks are employed to prepare the porridge.

There is a baby feeding program to provide baby formula to underweight babies or when the mother has passed away during childbirth.

There are currently 88 babies on the feeding program – the twins (pictured) have just started on the Baby Feeding Program, they are six weeks old and each weigh 1.6kg.

President Meegan Rokesky said the Mphatso Children’s Foundation’s mission is to “Feed the Children”, “Grow the Community” and “Impact the Future”.

“Mphatso provides a fun and safe environment in which children can play – toys, balls, volleyball equipment, dress-ups, books, pencils and paper are used almost daily by children after school,” Meegan said.

“The foundation also provides sporting equipment and sponsorship to local football and tennis teams.

“There are weekly sewing groups, a book club, a women’s HIV positive living support group, and bible study groups where people from the community gather together, support each other and learn together.

“Currently there are five students receiving tertiary college sponsorship.”

In 2019, a purpose-built training facility was completed, called the AP Training Centre (in honour of a long-time Mphatso supporter, Alan Parker).

The foundation also provides employment to about 70 locals from 56 villages.

There is a Maize Mill to provide porridge to nursery schools as well as access for surrounding villagers.

In December 2020, many were impacted by the tragic loss of Ocean Grove toddler Hava Ward.

Her parents requested that any donations be given to the Mphatso Children’s Foundation.

More than $7,500 has been received and will be used to build ‘Hava House’, a dormitory style building where vulnerable girls can live while they receive an education.

One hundred per cent of the charity’s operation is funded by donations.

The Mphatso Children’s Foundation market stall will be held at the Rotary Market Ocean Grove Park on Easter Monday, April 5, 2021.

For more information visit mphatso.org or follow on Facebook and Instagram.