Eight thousand miles, 40,000 books, a year of fundraising and more than $75,000.
That’s what it took community partners to bring smiles to children, teens and adults in Malawi, East Africa.
“They say you can see the world by reading a book. These books literally saw the world,” said Deacon Bob Hamilton, who serves in Holy Eucharist Parish, Cherry Hill.
In summer 2023, Mary Ann Bryszewski, a parishioner at the Catholic Community of the Holy Spirit in Mullica Hill, Deacon Hamilton and about a dozen coworkers from their longtime employer, Holman, traveled to Malawi, East Africa. After raising money to build a library and computer lab for a secondary school in the town of Lilongwe, they were greeted not only by high school students – who put on a show of songs and dances – but the 40,000 books stacked like Legos that they had shipped over months before.
For two weeks, these coworkers helped put the finishing touches on the library, building shelves, organizing books, painting murals on the walls and laying brick for the building’s entrance.
Now, the team is at it again, with a trip set to Malawi this June 25-July 7. The aim is to help support classrooms for a new university being built.
“The hope is to help all those children that we met become tomorrow’s leaders,” Deacon Hamilton said.
Indeed, building a better society was in the hearts of all those who helped with the library – and those working on the current project. They come from numerous faith backgrounds and geographic locations, and they partner with UrbanPromise International, which grew from UrbanPromise, a Camden-based organization rooted in Christian tradition.
“When we were in Malawi, your daily routine disappeared, and you started to get to know people on a different level other than just coworkers at the office,” Bryszewski said. “We got to know each other personally. I got to see everybody’s talents leading them to their specific roles on the mission.”
After spending two weeks on the mission trip – in addition to the months of planning beforehand – “It’s hard to describe the bond. It’s like we are going to be family forever,” she said.
Indeed, the planning for the 2023 project stretched coast to coast. It started with Holman’s Day of Caring – part of the company’s annual United Way campaign – an opportunity to give back to the community. That “day” turned into the idea for something larger.
And so the planning began. The books arrived in New Jersey with help from employees based all over the country. Even local entities like BookSmiles, a nonprofit organization in Pennsauken, pitched in to help.
While Deacon Hamilton, Bryszewski and others were raising money and collecting books, UrbanPromise International was building the library. Photos and videos of the progress were being sent back to the United States throughout.
“It’s not like the buildings we are used to here in America,” Bryszewski said. “The library is barebones. The reception desk for the librarian is painted cinder block. There’s no drywall, no drop ceilings … there’s a cement floor painted red.”
In addition to adding the finishing touches on the library, Deacon Hamilton, Bryszewski and others visited local youth ministries and orphanages while in Malawi.
“Going on a mission trip like this, you’re whole perspective of life changes. When you go outside your comfort zone, see how others live, hold a child’s hand or play kickball with them … these kids are running around laughing, having fun. Kids are walking down the street holding hands,” Bryszewski said. “When I came back, I missed their happiness, the love that generates from them.”
Deacon Hamilton agreed. “When you come back, you realize how much spiritual emptiness is in this country. America left something behind on the way to prosperity. We have all these luxuries and expectations. … I get annoyed when the person in front of me is driving too slowly. In Malawi, most of the people don’t even have cars. And yet, their spirituality and sense of community is amazing.”
at the bottom and then tap “Add to Home Screen”
