World Relief Stories
Malawi Travel Log Day 5
Day 5
Deadly Serious Business
Coffin making is big business in Malawi.
Everywhere along the roads you'll see "Coffin Workshops."
One sign in particular caught my eye: "Heaven Bound Funeral Parlor."
I guess it's putting a positive spin on it.
The booming coffin-building industry is yet another grim reminder of the realities of life in Malawi... the cruel realities of rampant AIDS, hunger and child mortality.
In some areas, the coffin makers can barely keep up with demand.
People here look forward to their home in heaven. But how wonderful it would be if, first, they could live a life worth living here on earth. Pray for Malawi!
posted by ReliefDev | 5:36 AM
2 Comments:
"the cruel realities of rampant AIDS, hunger and child mortality." While it is true that coffins make money in Malawi, I am sure the factors go beyond the ones you have stated. Couldn't it be also that the carpenters just use the 'coffin' term as an eye-catcher!
Probably next time visit and scrutinize if all the carpenters do is make coffins in such workshops.
I know WR very well with its work in Malawi and I hope you are not just blowing the issue out of proportion
It's a cruel reality of life here in Malawi. The actual scenario, the way I see it, is that there are a few specialized service providers in coffin making. Most of the carpenters will do coffins "on the side". This is not to deny the fact that there are places and times when the demand for coffins is higher than the supplier. I would recommend that blog posts should also be as balanced as possible.
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