Visitors from Malawi promote charity

When Grace Chiumia and Samuel Chirwa left Northern New York in July after touring with the Mzuzu Youth Choir, they did not expect to come back at all, much less soon.

But they are back, eight months later, experiencing snow and strengthening the ties between northern Malawi and the north country.

North country residents gave $10,000 in July to build a sanctuary for their home church. Extra money — about $5,000 — went to a widows fund. Ms. Chiumia and Mr. Chirwa have returned to promote that fledgling organization.

"Apart from the good work we have done, there is still more need," Ms. Chiumia said.

She said that in Malawi, widows are persecuted by in-laws who will strip the widow's house of furniture and kitchenware. Sometimes they take the house, too, and even empty the widow's bank account.

Ms. Chiumia, who is a widow, said: "The in-laws have taken all the things. I am still struggling for our house."

While Ms. Chiumia works as a nurse, many widows are forced to beg or become prostitutes.

"They have to scrounge for food," she said. "They cannot pay bills."