Lisa Phiri is headed to Blentyre for the fourth time to, both reunite with her husband Tendai to continue her volunteer efforts with a residential project which attempts to,  take impoverished children off the street and change thier futures.

The project known there as Step Kids Awareness, and here as Steka, takes kids off the streets.  "We [provide] them a home, parents, food, clothing, and education."

Because of the sheer number of destitute children in Malawi, the program and those like it have become a somewhat essential service.  "The [number] kids on the street grows so quickly. There are not enough projects to help these children.  There are feeding centres, but they do need more than than.  They need structure, they need guidance , they need an education, they need a family environment.  That's what my project gives to these kids."

Education is Steka primary focus, especially for young girls/women.  "If we don't help these young girls they don't go anywhere.  It's very important for a young Malawian girl to go to school and get an education.  That way she doesn't have to rely on a man, getting married, being pregnant at a young age.  This is what happens on a regular basis there.  At least if they get an education, it's a start for their future.  Hopefully they can get a job and support themselves."

When you look at the statistics posted by the U-S Central Intelligence Agency, It's easy to understand what Phiri experiences when she makes these trips.  The world fact book says increasing pressure on agricultural land, population growth, corruption, and the spread of communicable diseases pose the most major problems for Malawians.  "Lack of food, sick people who can't afford to go to the doctor for treatment.  We're talking basic stuff here.  Malaria, parasites , drought, malnutrition.  They just don't have the means.  A lot of them can't afford seeds to plant in their gardens.  I've noticed to, in the four years I've been there, that the cost of living has definitely gone up there, and of course the pay doesn't."

The World Fact Book also puts the average life expectancy of a Malawian at only 43 years old.  Phiri says, it's difficult to watch them live such hard lives.  "It's harder to live there.  It takes a toll on thier bodies.  HIV/Aids is a big factor there as well.  You look at someone your age, you wouldn't believe it.  You would think that they are much older.  They are very hard working people.  If you have to go out and get your water from three miles away, or go and collect firewood so you can cook for the day, or if you have to go scrounge for food it takes it's toll."

While Phiri is in Malawi she, takes no aires, lives just like Malawians do.  "I live very simply.  I just recently got power.  I only have cold water.  I live in a two room house, with no heat in the winter.  It doesn't get cold, the coldest is about five degrees, but when your used to the heat it's cold.  I don't have a car there, I walk everywhere.  I eat they way they do, and what they eat.  Very, very simple."

When she leaves Canada on February 12, 2010, Phiri says she will continue to help the best way she knows how, and begin fundraising to expand the Step Kids Awareness project.  "Our project just bought another piece of land, by donations, which is awesome.  Now we want to build more houses like ours, and take in more children.  Right now we are turning kids away, and they go back out onto the streets.  The best we can do for them right now is to send the [house father] out into the streets once a week as part of an outreach program.  The father of the house will touch base with kids on the street, see if they need any medical attention, give them a banana , talk to them, and support them."

"I fell in love with the country, and it's people.  I get a lot out of it to, spending time with the kids and doing different activities.  What I do is I buy a return ticket, and then I extend the return flight as long as I possible can.  Then I come back, I work, and then I go back again."

For more information on Steka / Step Kids Awareness follow this link;

www.steka-malawi-blogspot.com