Volunteer Report "A Letter to the Children of Malawi"

Name：Mizuki Watanabe
Specialty：Youth Activities

Children walking along the road, babies held gently by their mothers, wrapped in chitenje, a traditional Malawian fabric, or a soft blanket, sleeping soundly and feeling secure on their mothers’ backs. Primary school-aged children playing energetically in the vast maize fields. Babies staring curiously at me, a foreigner. Children who greet me cheerfully with "hi!" When I return home, the children who live on the same compound give me a lively welcome. When I go to a workplace for my activities, they get excited and shout, "azungu! (a local Malawian Chewa word for foreigner) How are you!!!" No matter where I go in town, there are a large number of children. This country has many energetic kids.
According to one source, the population of Malawi exceeded 21 million people as of 2024, having nearly doubled in the last 20 years. The proportion of young people aged 18 and under is said to account for more than half of the population. The average age in Malawi is an incredible 17.8 years old, making it one of the youngest populations in Africa. From the perspective of a population pyramid, Japan's pyramid is shaped like a pot due to its low birth rate and aging population, whereas Malawi's is a beautiful pyramid shape, similar to what Japan once had. This characteristic makes it easy to understand why so many children can be seen everywhere in this nation.
Today, I want to send a letter to the children living in this country from one azungu.

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Dear Children of Malawi,
I am one azungu living in Malawi, and I am writing this letter to all of you who are full of hope here in Malawi. This letter is full of important things I want to share with you. Even if you do not understand everything right now, I would be so happy if you remember this letter when you are older.
My heart feels warm every time I see you all around Malawi. I see you walking cheerfully on the roads. Babies are being held gently by their mothers, wrapped in chitenje or soft fabric, sleeping peacefully. I see primary school students playing happily in the vast maize fields.
Sometimes a baby will stare at me, a foreigner, with a look of wonder, and other times a child will greet me with a cheerful "hi!" When I get home, all the children who live in the same yard welcome me with smiles. When I go to work in various places, they get excited and call out, "azungu! How are you?!" Everywhere I go in town, there are so many children. Seeing all of you, I feel that this country is truly a place filled with children's energy and smiles.
Malawi is a very young country, with young people like you making up more than half of its population. You are a very important treasure that will build the future of this country.
This is a heartfelt request from one azungu: Please be proud that you were born in this country, known as the "Warm Heart of Africa." In your hearts, you have a big kindness that allows you to gently offer help to those in need or share your precious food with others. This is a special power that not everyone in the world has. Each and every one of you is a special person. Please continue to cherish the warm heart and kindness you were born with.
Also, do you know that being helped by someone else is not something to be taken for granted? It only happens because someone else has the kind heart to want to help you. Please do not forget that, and please do not forget to have a grateful and warm heart toward those who help you.
The era you are living in Malawi might sometimes feel difficult. When you become an adult, it may be hard to find a job, or you might feel sad or frustrated. But please, do not give up and say, "It is impossible!"
You have countless possibilities. Do you have a dream for the future? Soldier, nurse, police officer, teacher... there are so many jobs in the world. Please, never give up on the dream you have in your heart right now. As long as you do not give up on it, that dream will one day lead you to a bright future. If you give up on your dream, it will end there. I believe that your dream will come true as long as you do not give up on your dream and your potential. You might encounter a wall that makes you want to give up when you are working toward your dream. But even then, please never give up on your potential and say, "I cannot do this."
I sincerely hope that as you learn a lot in school and around your homes, play a lot, and chase your dreams, you will each discover what you are good at and build a future full of hope with your own hands.
I am always cheering for all of you.
From one azungu living in Malawi.