In Malawi, sexual assault among people with disabilities is estimated to be five to ten times higher than the rest of the population. In addition, children and adults with disabilities often experience significant obstacles that most other people take for granted – access to education, transportation, involvement in their community/village, life in a stable family context, etc.
Moreover, incidents of gender-based violence and domestic abuse are increasing with few options available for the victims of these horrible attacks.
I (Kathy) am the director of Children of Blessing Trust (COBT), a centre that provides a safe place for children with disabilities, along with their caregivers, to receive much-needed support. COBT offers physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, a nutrition/feeding program, an equipment loan program, special education, an integrated pre-school, a variety of workshops on topics/issues relevant to the clients, an epilepsy clinic, and a micro-finance/business for caregivers. It also has eleven outreach sites throughout Liliongwe.
I (Steve) direct the Fountain of Life (FOL), a facility that acts as a safe house for survivors of sexual assault. Individuals can receive crucial counseling and support services. FOL also assists volunteer lay trauma counselors at 4 One Stop Centres around Malawi in partnership with the main hospitals. Furthermore, it offers basic first aid trauma counseling training to our volunteers and partners with government departments and other local organizations in the area.
We believe that both COBT and FOL call the Church to bring the good news of Jesus Christ to all people. God has led us to the marginalised, forgotten, and the wounded, and we will do all we can to stand up for them!
We have both served in ministry contexts for over 35 years. I (Kathy) am a trained physiotherapist and occupational therapist, specialising in paediatrics. Having worked in Canada, Mexico, Botswana, and now Malawi, I seek to use my training and experience to advance God’s kingdom. I (Steve) have worked in community development, mainly with marginalised children, including orphans susceptible to sexual attacks, all throughout sub-Saharan Africa.
