Today, Tingathe hosted its annual Bags of Love event at our One Stop Center in Lilongwe, distributing 124 bags to children from Mtandire, Piyasani, and Msiliza who participate in Tingathe’s Children’s Life Skills Programme. This annual event represents Tingathe’s commitment to empowering youth and Children, and nurturing permanent community connections.
Each Bag of Love, made with care by our Tailoring, Fashion, and Design trainer, Precious Ndovi, combines practicality and thoughtfulness, with a waterproof design to protect children’s school supplies during the rainy season.
The guest of honour, Michelle Bezuidenhout, a Tingathe board member and the originator of the Bags of Love initiative, shared a reflection on the programme. “Bags of Love began from a desire to help boys and girls protect their books and give them something special of their own,” Michelle explained. What began five years ago as a small project in Area 43 with four women has transformed into a meaningful initiative embraced by Tingathe. Michelle commended the Tingathe team, including co-founder and country representative Sarah Lindeire, for expanding the project’s reach. “I am incredibly blessed to see what you have done with the bags. It is my wish to see Bags of Love continue blessing these children.”
The highlight of the day was the distribution of the Bags of Love, bringing smiles and excitement as each child received a bag and took a photo with Michelle. Following the ceremony, a group photo captured the joy and unity of everyone involved, embodying Tingathe’s commitment to empowering children and youth.
One of the beneficiaries of the initiative, Caroline Gama, thanked Tingathe for the bag she received, saying, ‘This bag will greatly help me in my education. I am grateful for the support and the opportunity it provides to keep my school supplies safe.
The Bags of Love event reflects Tingathe’s mission to uplift communities through education, skill-building, and empowerment. Michelle’s vision now embraced and expanded by Tingathe, is a testament to the impact of a simple idea driven by compassion. We look forward to continuing this tradition, with each bag symbolizing a step toward a brighter future for our youth.”
The Bags of Love event Captures Tingathe’s mission to uplift communities through education, skill-building, and empowerment. Michelle’s vision, now carried forward by Tingathe, showcases the impact of a simple idea driven by compassion. Tingathe looks forward to continuing this tradition, with the hope that each bag represents a stepping stone to a brighter future for our youths.