Gogo Anna Kumchera
She could not even remember the date she got a double blow. Her husband died, and later lost everything to fire that gutted down the house and all her belongings. Though after more than six years now, 94 old Anna Kum’chera narrated her ordeal with a shade of tears on her left eye that refused to climb the wrinkles on her cheek. The frequent name of Jesus on her mouth somehow brought back her courage.
She went on explaining. She said she left Amonisute village in Balaka’s traditional authority Kachenga and joined Andrea village. This is her home now and she showed her happiness at the end of her story, saying she will leave the village that day when God will switch off the light of her life on earth.
Andrea village is the brainchild of Andrea Pacifici and is named after him. The name can not be ignored in the entire Mangochi diocese. He was a brother to Fr. Mario Pacifici. He assisted in several areas within Andiamo campus and beyond, before his death right here in Malawi.
There are currently four elderly people at Andrea village on full board after three others died of old age.
Apart from Anna Kum’chera, the village also accommodated Wilson Chilala six years ago, who came to Balaka some decades back from Lupiya village, traditional authority Kanduku in Mwanza.
According to their caretaker Shupikai Kapasule, she and a colleague are responsible 24 hours, to ensure the four elderly people at Andrea village eat, clothe and attain medical attention whenever necessary.
By Moses Thom