APRIL 12TH 2010

...and they are there...speechless to be honest...update to follow....:)

UNICEF Malawi Letter to the Community The Honourable Patricia Kaliati ( September 2008)

http://www.unicef.org/childsurvival/malawi_45755.html

The power of patience...

The twists and turns continue! Not only has Virginia been able to connect with part of the Australian community in Lilongwe but the project has been lifted to an extraordinarily public platform.

The cabinet minister for Gender, Community and Community Development, The Honourable Patricia Kaliati, a member of the Malawi full cabinet has taken a personal interest in the project. It has become an opportunity for Virginia to show other women - and men- what is possible when women are enabled and empowered to act without threat or repression. The Honourable Kaliati's desire is that this will show how empowering women to become active in national development can contribute to the community.

Last week, Virginia was also interviewed on air by Zodiak Broadcasting Corporation, a local radio station who visited her and interviewed her regarding the shoe project. Virginia has been receiving calls ever since with peopel congratulating her for her amazing work. The callers have also been thanking the Aussies involved back here too, specifically remarking on the amazing work of the Shoe-Pals - the children who reached out to other children across the globe.

Stepping out in the right direction...

The process seems (well actually has!) taken such a long time but we are almost there. What we do know is that had the path been smooth and without challenge, so much would not have been discovered. From the outset, V and I committed to persevering, no matter where the journey took us and there have been so many twists and turns!

The shoes have been cleared, finally, but not without much anxiety, frustration and sheer determination on Virginia's part to ensure that they reach their intended destination. Virginia's resolve and commitment has been simply extraordinary. There is no doubt that the easy path would have been to succumb to the temptations of a 'speedy resolution' made possible through payment of bribes, deceit and release of any sense of personal dignity, self respect and morals. In refusing to participate in such corrupt and immoral activity, the cost has been financially increased but the sense of personal strength and integrity cannot ever be diminished. There are some things that cannot be valued through dollars and cents.

The shoes are now safely being guarded and awaiting transport to the village...and the tale continues!

holding our breath...

our daughter turns 21 tomorrow and just like we were 21 years ago, we are holding our breath...20th March 1989 changed our lives forever. We thank God every day for our beautiful daughter who has brought us incredible joy and pride. We love her and thank God for her very precious life.

the latest from virginia reads thus...

"am very fine. by sunset today will be coming with good news that the shoes are released. Just be all ears. Am closing in.Love."

and so we wait...

Aussie possibilities...

Nephew #4 is finally walking but I am confined to crutches...we are so close to the release of the shoes but the challenges continue. Virginia doggedly refuses to give up on finding support for the clearance and transport of the shoes to the village despite the ongoing pressures and frustrating- now frightening at times- developments.

V has been thrilled to find the listening and supportive ear of an Aussie businessman with whom a number of meetings have been held and we wait with our fingers crossed and breath held. How wonderful it would be to have Aussie hearts and hands at the village joined with Virginia when the shoes finally reach their destination.

"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.

our challenge, i have to say, is brought into perspective by stories such as that told in the movie "Hotel Rwanda". It's promo phrase : "When the world closed its eyes, he opened his arms".

Edmund Burke wrote, "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing".

Over 100 days in 1994, the African country of Rwanda was the site for the genocide of almost one million people. As the streets ran with rivers of blood, a large portion of the international community looked away. One man could not. "Hotel Rwanda" is the story of Paul Rusesabagina, a hotel manager in Rwanda who used his courage and cunning to shelter over a thousand refugees from certain death. The movie highlights the tension between the Hutu and Tutsi tribal people. As Rwanda descended in to horror we can only imagine, Rusesabagina risked his liberty and life to save those around him. It is the true story of one good man who jeopardised everything to do something.