Local girl to give presentation on Africa trip

After spending two weeks in Africa last summer working with children affected by HIV and AIDS, Flathead High School senior Annie Marshall returned with an unlikely feeling — hope.

Marshall — who attended Bethany Lutheran Church in Bigfork for 10 years and now attends Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Kalispell — arranged her trip to the southeast African country of Malawi through St. Peter’s Child Care, a church-affiliated organization that places children orphaned by the disease in foster homes.

During her stay in Africa, Marshall interacted with children in the program during their school classes and therapy sessions.

“It gave me a lot of hope,” Marshall said. “All of the kids in the program were lucky to be there and lucky to have homes, and they knew it. It gave me a really optimistic feeling about the future, just knowing that even a small congregation could change lives. I was really moved by that.”

Marshall was born in Africa, where she lived until she was 4-years-old. After moving to Montana for a few years, Marshall and her family returned to Africa, where she stayed during second and third grade.

Despite her background, Marshall said she felt somewhat culture-shocked when she arrived in Africa.

“There’s a big difference in safety,” Marshall said. “It’s definitely a different feeling than what we have here in Montana, where you can leave your car unlocked. There is a lot of crime there, so I had to get used to that. It’s hard to adjust to.”

Marshall said the trip helped her realize how much she takes for granted living in America.

“We’re very, very fortunate,” she said. “We can have our opinions and our freedoms.”

Since leaving Malawi, Marshall has kept in contact with the director of the organization, along with many of the children she met.

With help from her church congregation, she is hoping to donate money that can be used to purchase Christmas presents for the students.

“I know the kids would be happy to know that there are other people out there who care about them,” Marshall said.

Marshall will give a presentation about her trip from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 30 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, located at 603 South Main Street in Kalispell.

Later that day, she will give a second presentation at 2 p.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Home, located at 185 Crestline Avenue in Kalispell.