On March 12, 2023, Tropical Cyclone Freddy hit the southern region of Malawi. In just the span of 6 days, the cyclone triggered six month’s worth of rainfall that caused extensive flooding and landslides.

Many people lost their lives and there was extensive damage to crops, livestock, and other life’s necessities. Houses were damaged or completely destroyed and thousands of people were displaced.

Soon after the impact, the Malawi branch of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Lilongwe quickly assessed the situation and began to organize relief efforts. They assigned Disaster Relief Committees to oversee the relief work. These committees promptly began helping people by giving them temporary shelters, food items, and other necessities.

Later on, 15 teams of construction volunteers were established to spearhead the work of repairing and rebuilding houses of those who were affected, including Ester.

As of February 2024, exactly 12 months after the cyclone hit, 195 houses were already reconstructed and 41 houses were repaired.

“It is a wonderful privilege for us to have a small share in the reconstruction of the disaster relief houses,” said Louis Mpeusa, one of Jehovah’s Witnesses who volunteered to do the building work. “We feel good at heart and our faith is strengthened, especially when we see people getting a much-needed house after such a terrible disaster.”

Jehovah’s Witnesses are well-known for sharing Bible teachings with others. But in addition to that, they are also known for their organized global relief efforts to help fellow worshippers and others who suffer the effects of natural disasters, war, and other calamities.