Malawi, Africa, AIDS, Orphans - Caring for orphans - Orbus is a Christian Ministry to AIDS Orphaned children in Blantyre, Malawi, Africa

Orbus construction contractor Nelson (left) pegging out Stage 1. 23-3-09

Colin M'bawa and Joshua inspecting the property. 23-3-09

Paw Paw tree growing on Orbus land. Blantyre March 2009

Bananas growing near the eastern stream bordering the Orbus land - March 2009

Malawian woman walking past the Orbus land. 23-3-09

A Malawian woman. 25-3-09

25-3-09

A butterfly on the Orbus land. 23-3-09

Malawian child at Orbus directors Rose and Richard Chaponda's existing school Rose Garden School Blantyre Malawi March 2009

Blantyre, March 2009

April 2009 Newsletter

For a copy of the Full April 2009 Orbus Newsletter, printable and suitable for

forwarding please CLICK HERE.

Orbus Orphan Care Ministry:

April 2009 Newsletter:

Highlights:

1- Food production continuing on Orbus’ land, to feed the Namatete orphans.

2- Orbus 1^st building ready to go.

3- Stage 1 pegged out and site works have commenced.

4- Donated goods have arrived safely in Blantyre from Australia.

5- Visits by Australians.

6- Health clinic study under way.

7- Backpack Project launched by SYPC.

8- New photos from March/April 2009 online.

9- YouTube Orbus March/April presentation online at www.OrbusAfrica.org or at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kds6ZJGyllo

Food Production:

Orbus has successfully grown and harvested enough corn (maize) from its 1^st maize crop, on the Orbus land, to feed up to 100 children for a full year. Some of this crop will be used in the short-term and some will be treated, bagged and stored for future use. Some of the previous crops of vegetables failed due to bad weather, however some of it was harvested and used to feed some of the Namatete orphans who come to the Namatete CCAP feeding and teaching program every Saturday. Some produce was also sold to a local restaurant.

The Orbus Boarding School for Orphaned Children:

During March and April 2009 Stage 1 was pegged out, site works commenced and Orbus’ 1^st building almost completed to a usable stage. Further development of the new Orbus boarding school for AIDS orphans on Orbus’ 100% owned 6.202 hectare plot of land in Blantyre, Malawi is expected to continue over the coming months.

Goods Shipped from Australia:

Many thanks to everyone who provided goods for the container sent from Australia in October 2008. Orbus director Craig Manners visited Blantyre in March 2009 and can report that the goods are safe and sound and awaiting completion of the project. Among the numerous items for the orphaned children in storage in Blantyre is bedding for 100 children; clothes; toys; Bibles and books. The Systematic Theology books have already been widely distributed by Colin on behalf of Orbus among many of the ministers around Malawi.

Visits by Australians:

Orbus advisers Robert Boyle and Melanie McGrice visited Blantyre in March/April 2009 as did director Craig Manners and his son Joshua. Their visits went very well, cementing relationships, encouraging the Orbus people, visiting the Orbus site, conducting a board meeting, initiating the clinic study, and visiting the Namatete orphans and the orphans being sponsored by Orbus at the Rose Garden School.

Orbus Health Clinic:

New Orbus volunteer and adviser Melanie McGrice visited Blantyre in April to familiarize herself with the project, to meet the Orbus personnel in Blantyre, and to conduct an initial study into establishing a health clinic on the Orbus site as part of the project. It is envisaged the clinic will provide basic health care for the orphaned children and also to local residents in the surrounding areas on a fee-paying basis.

Orbus Backpack Project:

Click www.orbusafrica.org/index.php?page=backback-project for details on the SYPC Orbus Backpack Project, a project to provide orphans in Blantyre, Malawi with a backpack each filled with things they need for school.

Your Prayers:

We would appreciate your prayers for:

Continued strength and encouragement for Colin, Shirley, Richard, Rose, Elliot, Hastings, Fred, Newton, Nelson, Shadrach and all others working to bring the Orbus project to reality in Blantyre.
For the timely construction of the Stage 1 buildings.
For the first of the orphaned children to be brought under our care as soon as possible.
For the ongoing food production.
For the feeding and teaching program by the Namatete CCAP.
For God’s protection of the children in their current situations.
For much fruit to come from the Bibles and the theology books over many years.
Thanks for the dedicated people in Malawi and Australia working on this project.
Thanks for the safe delivery of the items in the sea container.
Thanks for safe and productive visits by Robert, Melanie, Craig and Joshua.