Monthly Updates

July, 2008 -
The Alumni

In ancient Rome abandoned children lucky enough to be rescued by adults were known as “alumni.”  The term referred to their dual status as foster children and pupil-servants.  Yale historian John Boswell mentions early Roman Christians calling themselves alumni of God.  Altogether the word stated the prospect of a loving and happier condition in a new kinship pattern with protecting others.

In most Malawi villages where we work, about half the population is under age 15.  Country-wide there are between 500,000 and 1,000,000 orphaned children out of 13 million people.  The large numbers make infeasible the operation of western-type orphanages, though there are a few such in Malawi and they do good work.  Our emphasis is to assist orphans through community-based organizations and in villages, where they are cared for by those who know them best.  We supply food, school fees, books, and the mandatory school uniforms.

Several years ago Eileen Simpson wrote Orphans. Her subjects were not in Africa but I think they could have been.  She said they “don’t cry, scream, shout, or behave bizarrely.  Instead they observe visitors in searching silence….
For me, the children’s eyes would have unspoken messages: You were more fortunate than we are, they would say.  Or, more distressingly: "Take us with you.”

Though extreme poverty and so many little ones limit what can be done, we feel honored to give a token of love and security to the children — or as we believe, to the alumni. 

For your help with this we are all very grateful.

William Rankin
President & Founder of GAIA

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