Our Chosen Charity

In April 2024, Sarah joined a group of UK-based businesswomen on the Orbis Women's Partnership Challenge, travelling to Malawi to share skills with entrepreneurial Malawian Business Women, hike Mount Mulanje, swim in 'Old Man's Pool', visit a local school, go on safari and stay in the most wonderful places, in the 'warm heart of Africa'. Whilst on the challenge, Sarah met an amazing young lady, Dorothy. Dorothy's heartfelt 'story' of setting up her not-for-profit Foundation - Kukaya Kwithu ("our home") to take in vulnerable, sometimes abused, and orphaned young girls, touched Sarah's heart, and she felt that QSetc could help her, and the 12 girls in her care, for as long as possible. We now regularly sponsor Dorothy's foundation, through Orbis DMC, the organisation that runs the Women's Partnership Challenge as well as other expeditions and we visit Dorothy and her girls annually, with our next trip scheduled for November 2024.

About Kukwithu

My name is Dorothy, 26 years old and founder of Kukwithu girls home. Kukwithu currently houses 12 girls, aged between 3 to 16 years. These girls come from various backgrounds, yet their life stories bear remarkable similarities. Some are orphans who have lost both parents, others are from single-parent homes, struggling financially, while others are survivors of attempted early marriage.

Despite the challenges they've faced, these girls remain children and deserve the chance to flourish. Kukwithu plays a crucial role here, offering essential care, ensuring they attend school, and providing access to nutritious meals - rights that every child should have. This support allows them to concentrate on their education and enjoy their childhood, removing the adult-like burden they used to experience of providing for their families through piecework.

Why Dorothy is a 'good mother', and

how she loves her girls...

"You buy me new clothes..."

(Chisomo 'Bebe' - age 3)

"I love you because you have taught me patience. You have shown me all sorts of toddler trouble, but now you are a good girl..."

How QSetc has helped so far ...

A new home ...

We facilitated a move for Dorothy and the 12 girls in her care, during the 12 days that Sarah was in Malawi, into a safer home. They were living in the Ghetto, in a house with barely any windows, no toilet or wash facilities and the children were constantly being taken to hospital, because they were so ill. Their new home is gated, has security guards & a security dog, and high walls all around the property. Dorothy and 'her daughters', are healthier, happier and safer.

Inside their new home ...

With no toilet or wash facilities in their previous home, Dorothy and the girls are spoilt. There are five bathrooms, with wash facilities in each, including showers and a bath. This enables them to keep clean, and help to keep infections and viruses at bay, so far less trips to the Hospital. Whilst the girls still share bedrooms (because there are so many of them), their rooms are brighter, cleaner, and the main living areas are large and spacious.

'Kitting out' the home ...

Our funds, as well as paying for the rent and utilities, is also enabling Dorothy and the girls to have items in their home which they would never have dreamed of ... a fridge/freezer, a cooker, microwave, a kettle, beds with mattresses and bedding, sofas, curtains, and a dining table and chairs. Previously, cooking was outside over charcoal, and Dorothy has said that she is now 'motivated' to cook. There are less trips to the market due to being able to store food better and having a freezer means that foods don't perish. A TV is now installed, and a dining room table and chairs is in production.

Dorothy's dream ...

We all have a dream ... right? Dorothy's dream is to one day build a home for her and the girls (this is the ultimate aim of all Malawians), and to have land where she and the girls can grow food to eat and sell. We hope that one day this will be possible. Our funds help her and the girls to live more comfortably on a day-to-day basis. With additional fundraising, there's no reason why Dorothy cannot save funds to realise her dream...

The house move ...

A 'before' and 'after' video of where Dorothy & the girls were living, in the ghetto, and arriving at their new home ...

Previous home in the ghetto ...

Arriving at their new home ...

Dorothy & her girls, doing what they do ...

Although Dorothy has a full-time job working for Orbis DMC (most Malawians have more than one role), she ensures that she cares for the girls, feeding and clothing them, teaching them a variety of skills, including cleaning their home, cooking, washing up, washing clothes, alongside reading, speaking English, and encouraging the girls with their school work. They do fun stuff too ... crafting, camping in the garden, acting & singing. Dorothy is a University Graduate, and she is striving to help her girls to have the same opportunities that she has had, and continues to have. All 12 girls go to school (38% of children in Malawi don't go to school at all, because their families simply can't afford it and this percentage rises with children not being able to attend school regularly due to the cost). Dorothy pays for the the girls' schooling, material and seamstresses to make the girls' uniforms, school supplies, and of course food, clothes, toys and treats.

Would you like to help?

If you would like to help QSetc to support Dorothy and her girls to lead a higher quality of life and to realise their dreams, it would be wonderful to receive your donation. Donations are made through Orbis DMC (a registered Malawian Charity) and a receipt will be provided.

QSetc donate to Dorothy's Kukwithu Foundation through Orbis DMC (a sustainable group travel operator in Malawi) up to twice yearly, and visit Malawi annually to spend quality time with Dorothy and her girls, making happy memories with them, and to see how donations are having a positive impact on their lives.

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