Ruth Keijdener - Malawi Trip

Hello my name is Ruth and I am headed to Malawi with Watts of Love and Global Awakening in August of 2022. My heart is to empower and to equip others to change their lives for the better.

Why Light?

Nearly 1 billion people around the world are without electricity and live in darkness. They spend up to 30% of their income on dangerous fuel sources just to have light at night, and keeps them in a cycle of poverty. Access to alternative solar lighting eliminates the need for a costly fuel source and offers immediate savings. Solar lighting also means people can continue daily activities after dark, which directly impacts household income, safety, and overall health.

Why Malawi?

Malawi is the 3rd poorest and 3rd least electrified country in the world. It is also one of the youngest countries with 43% of their population under 15. Watts of Love has launched two long term Lighthouse initiatives in Nkhotakota & Dedza Malawi, and has distributed over 15,000 lights so far – and we won’t stop there. 

Trip Focus: Child Marriages

The Dedza District sits in central Malawi and is home to over 900,000 people. Many families here survive on an average of $11 a month. To ease the financial burden of the family, 1 in 2 of young girls are married before the age of 18 as a last resort to relieve financial stress. Thus, causing Malawi to have one of the highest child marriage rates in the world. When child marriage is this prevalent, it is often due to a lack of education or job opportunities for girls.

In partnership with Chief Kachindamoto, who has annulled thousands of child marriages, Watts of Love is focusing on over 2,000 rescued child brides, as well as vulnerable girls and their families. Through providing solar lights and receiving our financial literacy education, families will have another financial option besides marrying off their children. They will have an opportunity to feed, shelter, clothe and pay for school fees for their children and provide a brighter future.

Together, we have the potential to save thousands of young girls from becoming child brides.