Page 4 - Florida Sentinel 6-23-17

Local
Rev. Darryl Matthews and his wife, Jowancia will make their 8th trip to Malawi to help repair wells.
Representative Sean Shaw’s Bill To Promote Affordable Housing Availability Signed Into Law
Pastor Hosts Walk This Saturday To Raise Money To Bring Clean Water To Small African Nation
First Bill since becom- ing an elected official signed into law
Tallahassee, FL –Last Wednesday, legislation put forward by Representative Sean Shaw (D-Tampa), was signed into law by Governor Rick Scott. This bill extends the use of self-insurance funds to public housing enti- ties with interest in public housing investments to pro- mote affordable housing availability.
“Working to find solutions that will make more afford- able housing opportunities available for Florida’s work- ing families is imperative to strengthening our state’s economy and communities,” announced Representative Sean Shaw.
“This important piece of legislation will give Floridians a chance to begin planning a path to economic security. I’m proud to have been a part of building consensus across
REP. SEAN SHAW
party lines to help strengthen families across our state and I thank the Governor for sign- ing it into law,” he stated.
Self-insurance funds exist to pool and spread liabilities for those who provide public housing, thus encouraging af- fordable housing growth by attracting new providers to the system, he explained.
BY KENYA WOODARD Sentinel Feature Writer
It’s an image that shook the Rev. Darryl Matthews to his core: people and animals drinking from the same water hole.
At that moment on a 2010 mission trip to Malawi, Rev. Matthews vowed to do all he could to help bring fresh water to the remote villages in the small African nation.
Next week, Rev. Matthews – who is on the ministerial staff at First Bap- tist Church of College Hill – will make his eighth trip overseas where he’ll help re-
pair wells.
He’ll also deliver desks and
lights to make it easier for students to complete their schoolwork.
Rev. Matthews, a native of Neptune, N. J., said he has
a strong commitment and de- termination to travel halfway around the world to do this work.
“It’s a terrible situation,” he said. “It’s certainly something that’s been on my heart.”
What’s missing are the re- sources to do it well. So, in 2015, Rev. Matthews and his wife, Jowancia started Africa Vital Living, a non- profit organization focused on supplying sustainable sources of drinking water to African communities.
Previously, the pair used money from their savings to finance the mission trips and buy supplies, but that became taxing, said Jowancia.
On Saturday, the couple will host a walk at Al Lopez Park to raise money for the nonprofit.
Every penny donated will support the purchase of
drinking water supplies, desks, and lights.
The goal is to raise $15,000. So far, $2,000 has been donated, and the couple is hopeful that the walk will put them closer toward their goal.
“We decided we can do more if we can get help from other people,” she said.
The Matthews say their desire is to repair as many wells as they possibly can.
Malawi is a land-locked country of 17 million situated in eastern Africa. Surrounded by Zambia, Mozambique, and Tanzania, Malawi operates under a democratic govern- ment, but continues to be plagued by poverty and other economic challenges, accord- ing to the World Bank.
Years ago, the government installed wells throughout the country to increase fresh water supply.
But the wells are not main- tained, creating potentially hazardous situations where humans and animals share the same water source, Rev. Matthews said.
People are forced to go to extremes to obtain water with which to wash, bathe, and drink. In some instances, people walk dozens of miles up hilly terrain to get fresh water, he said.
Cell phones are wide- spread in the villages, but basic needs still evade many areas, he said.
IF YOU GO
Walk for Africa Vital Liv- ing, 7:30 a. m. to 10 a. m., at Al Lopez Park, 4810 N. Himes Ave., in Tampa. For more information or to donate, visit www.africav- italliving.org.
PAGE 4-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 2017