The other disappointment is that some of the friends my personal friends were contacted without my authorization and what were told in the e-mails did not reflect the truth of my intentions and love for these children.
About three maybe two month ago I went to the house with a friend of mine Jim Pellot and were surprised about the bitterness and hate that the children were walking in, and that the situation were not explained to them in a proper loving manner.
Two years ago we noticed that the Steka foundation has the ability to fund them. He Charles Maseko has eight strong, capable board members, and them as a team, were capable of raising funds, managing finances and taking the foundation to the next level. In January 2009 I called a board meeting, to inform them that from the 1st of August ASK (Africa-Street-Kids) will start a building project to the advantage of the street children. The meeting that only happened in April or May went well and all took this on in a good spirit. A fundraising committee was established, headed by and a lot of pressure was taken of me to see that they are enthusiastic. (Minutes of meeting on my blogger), minuted by the appointed secretary for the meeting Mr. Charles Maseko.
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Going back to 2007 and my first bike trip. That year was amazing, and how the business sector came together and helped me with funding the house that was overdue. It’s so fresh in my memory, the first two boys we got on the Saturday and took them to an empty house in Nyambadwe. So when I went to these businesses I did not expect the overwhelming response that they gave us. Our plan was to raise $3000 that is 1$ for each kilometer and at the end we raised $9000. More than enough for the years operating expenses. In December that year I packed up and left Malawi to pursue my career again, but that was short lived. When a generous donor gave me a new cycle and another a light delivery vehicle. Also a friend of ours collected cloths for the children, so the only way, was back to Malawi. With a new idea to help them to raise their own funds, teach them to work with budgets and finances. We bought an industrial sewing machine and over locker. Mr. Maseko is one of the few tailors that are experience enough to make good use and money with this trade.
But in 2008, the funds dried up and we planned another trip to Cape Town hoping that we can carry over the success of last year’s fundraising. We manage to raise $8000, but that did not set us back. We also decided that we want to start a building project, because the children outplayed the limited space at Nyambadwe.
Early in 2009 I started a process to register a NGO called African Street Kids (ASK). To start with, we registered a company with limited guarantee. A lot of my sponsors wanted to donate money to ASK and I had to register a company to comply with the bank rules in Malawi. I also instructed our legal officer to start with deregistration of ASK Ltd. And register the NGO African Street Kids. This is the same process Steka is currently undergoing, and I have learned a lot from it.
On the 1st of August with my third trip to South Africa I noticed that none of the board members were present, accept the house parents and the children, and that no funds were raised, as usual the house parents were ready to receive and not give even though they have received funds from abroad. We also learned that they have already received funds from America without informing us, from some well wisher, as they call it. I soon realized that the only relationship we have with these people is money. This is very disappointing after all the hours we have spend with them and thought them the value of the Word of God.
With ASK consent we decided to borrow some money to the STEKA foundation and in month six and MK700 0000 ($4500 US) the board of ASK decided to close the tap. The only reason we decided was to concentrate on the building project and that the Steka foundation will benefit from it. This building project will benefit these children in many ways. Firstly, no rent. Secondly, much more space for the children to play foot ball and girl’s netball, and lastly mountains to climb and freedom to just enjoy their childhood. The executive director of Steka and me spend some time to search for property at Chileka, suitable for the children, at last African Street kids found it. This building project will benefit these children in many ways. Firstly, no rent. Secondly, much more space for the children to play foot ball.
With 16 acres approve on African Street Kids, we boldly started with the project with a limited budget. Some funds came through and we could at least see that we can start with one house for the children.
But my vision was short lived when immigration were tipped off about my plans. Originally they did approve my TEP on ASK, and I paid the fee ask for at that stage. The next letter from immigration they quadrupled the fees. I could not accept this and trying to get a meeting with the chief immigration officer, I was served a letter to be deported in 20 days. After my appeal to the Heads of Immigration was unsuccessful I decided that my time was up and that I have to move on. Two days before the 30th we closed down the building project. I also took the opportunity to cycle back to my home country to reflect on my time spend in Malawi.
My journey the last five years was amazing, neither do I regret anything nor I am I condemned by my actions for helping these innocent children. As we know that they are victims of a poverty stricken country. And no one can blame us volunteers or any NGO for trying to help. If I have to choose to start all over again, Malawi will be the last place to start but the children will be the first.
In July I will be going to Ireland for my next fund raising trip. This time it will be for an NGO in South Africa or close. I’m currently investigating it and will reveal it at a later stage. The circle of Ireland is popular cycling circuit and my plan is to cycle the 1200km in 20 days. July to September is summer months in Ireland and a good season for cycling. With me leaving Malawi now, obviously I won’t enjoy the sponsorship I received from all the businesses in Blantyre, but must use this opportunity to thank them. To start with trusting me with funds, and for seeing the God given vision they followed for 2 plus years.
For the Steka foundation I’m still proud of the good work done by Charles and Helen Maseko prior to my deportation. And will always remind them of the prophetic scripture given to us in Rev 3:8…….no one will close this door….. I will always be reminded of the constant miracles that happened in the house. Friends supplying us when we though the children were forgotten, the children performance at school and Mvuu camp and on the soccer field. How they always helped in the garden, with cooking and cleaning up.
It is very obvious that the only relationship Malawians have with us is money.
The accusations via e-mail to all my friends;
1) Two years ago I when I decide to help the Steka foundation, I felt good about it and also saw the need to help street children. But being popular and putting myself on a pedestal was the last thing in my mind. This is also the one thing I thought the executive director and founder of the Steka foundation, Charles Maseko. But things got out of hand when the children were not first on the list. This is where division and strive comes in when a companies separate when people are not of one accord. Pride will destroy people if they do not acknowledge God first.
2) The management of the Steka foundation hi-jacked the internet program, we started a few years ago with the only message “We don’t have any donors”. This program is for the children to update news letters for the friends of “Fathers House” This was done without any permission from the original creator. Meantime they were hiding funds from “Well wishers” abroad. And not declaring it to the Steka board neither to me, which could have relieved me of some pressure and that we rather could invest in the building project at Chileka.
3) That we insulted (I also learned later that they accused me of beating her) his wife after a confirmed meeting with Pastor Henry Phiri. We were there to teach you the “foundational farming” method for the new property bought at Chileka. Mr Maseko totally ignored the time given with-out any excuse, he claim that he left for a funeral. What insulted Mrs. Maseko is that Pastor Phiri has chosen my side in telling her the importance of the time span we had to, due to the training. We eventually got the training from Pastor Phiri.
4) The fridge, dinning room table, washing machine tumble dryer (never used) Mr. Maseko knew from the start that it’s being given to me by donors. In the last three years I never had a place on my own, except a sponsored hotel room and a furnished one bedroom house. In the beginning of the year I got an opportunity to start my own place and unfortunately fell in the time span of Mr. Maseko’s outburst in front on all the children. What I left in the house was another washing machine, still covered with a tarp and dust outside the house. My personal fridge we donated the 1st of August 2007. A laptop, sewing machines and over lockers. Brand new microwaves, electrical stove and computers for the children are training. Also cell phones, watches and so on and so on……
5) The President of Malawi is going to sponsor the house. In Malawi there is said that they have 2 million orphans. My question is “What about them?” When I met you almost two year ago, that was the only dream you had to meet the President. My question is “What about your children and your wife meeting him?” This kind of talk convinced me that the focus is not on the children anymore.
6) The children prophesied that I will be leaving them. Only Spirit filled and Holy Spirit baptised Christians can operate in the gift of the Spirit. For two and halve years I was part of the training. I know were the children were at and I witnessed the growth that happened in the children because of the word of God. We had a lot of opposition from the Catholic Church of which your wife is a member and where you got suddenly married into last year.
7) When I approached you one day at “Fathers house” to suggest that you should take a different approach and not accuse me and also involve your board. Why do you think I came to you? I was still concerned about how you approached it. I don’t think either the way you manhandled the children in front of Richard, Laden, Mapemba and David was appropriate. I still suggest that you use your board, and refer to the board meeting last year. The board is very capable, that can help you. Always remember, that the street children were not created by the volunteers helping you. The problem is for the Malawians.
8) Please get rid of this victim mentality and think we must now compensate. This is not how you should raise funds. It will work on the short run, but sponsors are more interested in the children success than false accusations against me. Rather tell the people of the results the children achieves at school, sponsors loves that.
9) The best method raising funds is to put your trust in God and not in me or any other “white man” and his” White God”. We serve the same Supplier, King and Father. You saw it in the two years and more while we were friends.
10) Then lastly, the false information you gave immigration that led them to refuse my third permit. I have witnessed the bitterness and hate you created in just a few months. Let me advise you that our Father did not allow you to spread all these lies. The children picked it up and that can destroy all your hard work.
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