In these hard economic times, parents all over America are cutting coupons and cutting back to save money wherever they can. What if you lived in a place that was so poor (one of the poorest in the world) and were so used to being poor that you couldn't fathom and were scared to dream about a better life? This is the reality in Malawi, Africa, where people are so poor they are just hoping to survive.
Enter Todd and Holly Petitt, who together with their children have created Africa Bags, a grassroots non-profit, to help these Malawians earn more money and start businesses, such as grocery stores. They visited Malawi and brought sewing machines to three villages and taught them to make cloth bags with them. They then took the bags home and sold them for $10 each and have thus far raised money for these three villages and have expanded to one other.
The Petitts wanted to start an organization that would enable the Malawians to help themselves rather than just giving them a handout. By teaching them to do for themselves they are giving them valuable tools they can hand down to the children in their
villages which will ensure that their prosperity goes on. Additionally, the bags help reduce the need for plastic shopping bags and help the environment at the same time they are helping to make these communities stronger and more self-sufficient.
"Our mission statement is: To economically empower the people of Malawi with a sustainable income. To reduce the use of plastic shopping bags. To grow a non-profit that gives 100% of it profits back," says Todd. This is important because once an economy is established the villages can grow stronger, the people will have more access to education and medicine, and the adults can pass their knowledge to their children for continued success.
I think this organization, based out of Loveland, Colorado, is a great example of how simple it is for families to teach their children to give back. We are all struggling with the economy right now, but I think it is so important to teach our children that there is always a way to help even if we don't have a lot ourselves. "Africa Bags was founded on universal principles like 
compassion, sharing and helping. A family can go to the Africa Bags website and be introduced to one of the poorest countries in the world. By buying an Africa Bag or getting involved in the project they can make a difference to another human being," Todd says. This is such a vital concept to teach our children as they can continue the good works, either by jumping on board an already running organization or by starting their own.
Here is what Todd has said the Petitt's have felt is the best part of being involved in such a wonderful idea: "On a big scale the best experience has been that our little idea is working. We are just regular people with regular jobs, raising kids that decided to step out of our comfort zone and to try to make a difference in the world. We had never been to Africa before we started the project and really had no idea if we could make it work. It is really neat to see that this idea we had 2 ½ years ago is helping people in Malawi. It has given new meaning to my life." It feels great to help others and know that what you are doing is changing their lives, but at the same time it is changing your life as well. As parents, the best we can give our kids is teaching them to care about the world and what is going on around them. By becoming involved we are giving our kids the tools and resources to change their world.
For more information or to buy an Africa Bag please visit http://africabags.org/. Thanks to people like the Petitts, communities
all around the world are learning what it feels like to hope for and achieve a better life for themselves and their children and that's something we can all feel good about.
All pictures were provided by Todd Petitt and were used with his permission.
Comments
Hmmmh! Mr Todd , you mean people are scared to dream about a good life ?? Is that the truth, did you not see better, nice places in Malawi ? Sometimes people we have to say the truth you loose nothing. REMEMBER , its GOD who gives power to make wealth. That gap is to close -up , we will work hard. Dd you not see people driving nice cars here ??
Mr or Mrs. Chimbalame:
In the article I am speaking specifically about the villages we are working in. There was absolutely no wealth in these villages. The people we worked with did not think about starting businesses because they were busy trying to survive. Now that they are not worried about survival they are flourishing just as Americans do. They are becoming business people and doing well for themselves.
The truth is that Malawi is always ranked as one of the 10 poorest countries in the world. That is why we chose Malawi.
The Malawian people are the greatest natural resource the country has. When they are given an opportunity they take it and succeed!
Have you considered that God is using the Petitts to help these people create wealth?
I agree with Mr Chimbalame it seems as if all Malawians are poor. Tell the people the truth and nothing but the truth. We have so many people from the Americas and Europe who are citizens after staying for several years which means they are seeing the better side of or country.
VietNam hosts ASEAN Tourism INvestment Forum
Hanoi (xinhua)_ the ASEAN Tourism Investment Forum opens wednesday in vietnam's southem hochiminh city under the theme of challenges and opportunities of ASEAN tourism investment, vietnam news agency
The forum drew around 250 governmemt officials and representatives from domestic and international companicse and organizations in the Association of southeast of ASEAN nations (ASEAN) countries.
the forum high lights three topics including ASEAN tourism investment frame work, opportunities and advantages for tourism anvestment in ASEAN countries, and potential areas for tourism investment in those countries.
the forum provideo a chace for representatives to exchange views on dijjiculties when investors carry cut tourism investment process in ASEAN countries. thus representatives held disaissions on seeking measures to resolie these problems and cooperation,said the report Vietnamses go vernment is creating favorable conditions to encourage domestric and international companies to increase investment in tourism, said Anh.
somsak pipoppinnyo, ASEAN secretariat representative at the forum, spoke hightly of the accomplish ment of tourism sector ASEAN members in the past few years. It help promote growth in tourism industry to adrertise image and attraction of ASEAN to international community said pipoppinyo
VietNam hosts ASEAN Tourism INvestment Forum
Hanoi (xinhua)_ the ASEAN Tourism Investment Forum opens wednesday in vietnam's southem hochiminh city under the theme of challenges and opportunities of ASEAN tourism investment, vietnam news agency
The forum drew around 250 governmemt officials and representatives from domestic and international companicse and organizations in the Association of southeast of ASEAN nations (ASEAN) countries.
the forum high lights three topics including ASEAN tourism investment frame work, opportunities and advantages for tourism anvestment in ASEAN countries, and potential areas for tourism investment in those countries.
the forum provideo a chace for representatives to exchange views on dijjiculties when investors carry cut tourism investment process in ASEAN countries. thus representatives held disaissions on seeking measures to resolie these problems and cooperation,said the report Vietnamses go vernment is creating favorable conditions to encourage domestric and international companies to increase investment in tourism, said Anh.
somsak pipoppinnyo, ASEAN secretariat representative at the forum, spoke hightly of the accomplish ment of tourism sector ASEAN members in the past few years. It help promote growth in tourism industry to adrertise image and attraction of ASEAN to international community said pipoppinyo
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!