Once orphaned – twice orphaned…

I am so very sorry to have to tell you of the death earlier this week of Violet, one of our mothers in the Children’s Village. Violet almost certainly died of Covid, although her death certificate stated ‘pneumonia’. She had received the vaccine only a few days before she became ill, not enough time for it to be effective. Violet had been in hospital in Mkuranga for 2 weeks, some of the time on oxygen. She was then discharged back to her own mother’s house. Unfortunately, she deteriorated again and died before she could be moved back to hospital. She was 48 years old.

Violet had worked tirelessly for Malaika Kids for over 6 years. She was loved by everybody and had an infectious warm smile that seemed to light up not just her face but her entire body. She looked after 10 children with ages ranging from three years old all the way up to 19. These children all came to us as orphans and in a sense, they have now been orphaned for a second time. They are heartbroken and being supported by all the other mamas in the village who are also mourning the loss of a very dear colleague and friend. All our staff have been encouraged to take the vaccine, so we are hopeful that further fatalities can be avoided. They are all well at present.

Violet was born in the southern highlands of Tanzania and moved with her family to Dar es Salaam as a child where she completed four years of secondary school. She then undertook a hotel management training course and worked in several different hotels in Dar. Before she joined Malaika Kids she had spent three years working in Oman, returning to look after her sick mother. She had no children of her own but had four siblings so had many nieces and nephews. Violet’s own mother is still alive although very frail. Violet used to spend her holidays with her in her house about three miles south of Mkuranga. While she enjoyed supporting her mother, as she told Francesca, ‘My Malaika Kids are my family now’. She had a very moving funeral yesterday with many, many mourners. She will be sorely missed.

Yours sincerely

Alan Edwards Malaika Kids UK Chair

Once orphaned – twice orphaned…

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