News: Malawi

When nine-year-olds Ava and Ethan* came to our Children’s Homes in Malawi, they had just escaped a nightmare. They were in the hands of a human trafficker.

Ava and Ethan didn’t know each other, but they shared the same heartbreaking story. Abandoned by their mothers, they lived with grandmothers who struggled to care for them.

What did you want to be when you grew up? A teacher? An astronaut? A veterinarian? All three?

Clara wants to be a judge or a professional journalist. She says she’s interested in these careers because she wants to judge cases justly “without corruption” and she wants to tell stories to “the whole world.” Those are big dreams for any teenager.

We knew you’d wouldn’t want to miss celebrating with these high school seniors! On June 11, the International Christian Academy senior class celebrated the completion of their high school studies. Fifty-seven students participated in the ceremony this year. The festivities included singing, dancing, and a message from the guest of honor, Justice Chinangwa, a member of the COTN-Malawi board of directors and retired supreme court justice.

If you walked by Children of the Nations’ high school in Malawi after school, you’d see an intriguing sight. Classes may be out for the day, but the students haven’t gone home. They are scattered across the campus in groups of twos and threes—under trees, in classroom corners, or leaning against the warm brick building in the afternoon shade—meeting with their mentors.