Columbia teen lauded for work in Malawi

The Friends of Little Field Home would like to congratulate Alison Cramer, 19, of Columbia, for her great service working in Malawi, Africa.

The Friends of Little Field Home is an organization that supports the Little Field Home orphanage and medical clinic in Chigamba Village, Malawi, by providing financial and developmental support. The Little Field Home houses 72 orphans and supports 50 families.

"Alison worked extensively with the community. She handed out malaria nets and discussed with the residents future projects to help bring commerce into the area," said Janet Littlefield, who led the trip and is the Executive Director of Friends of Little Field Home. "She worked tirelessly to give hope to the vulnerable children in this poverty stricken area. "

Cramer was also involved in the after-school enrichment program and would read and write with the youngest children.

She lived in the Chigamba Village, in the southeast corner of Malawi, from July 1-25. Chigamba Village does not have electricity nor running water. The village is in an area that has extreme poverty with many of the residents suffering from HIV, malnutrition and malaria. Cramer was moved by the simplicity of life in rural Malawi.

"Doing laundry and hauling water were the most humbling experiences of my life," Cramer said.

She worked with the community, encouraging village residents to use their malaria nets and get tested for HIV/AIDS. Cramer was very moved by the experience and appreciated the values the Malawians upheld within their community and was most impressed with the resilience of the children.

"The children at the orphanage have all lost their parents and are living in one of the poorest countries in the world, but there is one thing that they have plenty of; the children's hearts and lives are full of love and compassion. The strength of these people never ceases to amaze me," Cramer said.

She felt the experience in Malawi has changed her life and she wants to go back. "The children in Chigamba Village taught me more than I could ever hope to teach them. It may be a long time, but I am sure that I will make it back to the small orphanage in Malawi one day because I miss it every day that I have been back," Cramer said.

If you would like to find out more about the Friends of Little Field Home go to www.littlefieldhome.org.