St John Paul II Christians Hailed for the High Number of Communicants
By Brian Kachitete
Bishop Martin Anwel Mtumbuka of the Diocese of Karonga has applauded the Christians of St. John Paul II Parish for the high number of communicants. The Bishop said this when he celebrated his first Easter Mass with Christians of the Parish on Easter Sunday.
‘‘Am very grateful to celebrate first Easter Mass with you since St. John Paul II was made a Parish. You have come in your large numbers which is a manifestation that we are really witnesses to the risen Christ.” The Bishop said.
The Bishop further applauded the Christians of St John Paul II Parish for remaining in full communion with the Church as witnessed by a large number of Christians who received Holy Communion.
‘‘The way Christians receive Holy Communion in this Parish is very high. This is the third Parish to have people who receive the Eucharist in large numbers. It is very encouraging and am very happy to see this,’’ the Bishop said.
The Bishop also reminded the people on living a true Christian life saying since we are witnesses to the risen Christ we should live a life different from that of pagans. The Bishop advised the faithful to desist from killing people, chasing people from their houses, and burning their houses saying they cannot profess faith in the risen Christ and be pagans in practice.
On the forthcoming Tripartite Elections, the Bishop advised the congregation to choose candidates who will uplift their living standards and development oriented.
Speaking after Holy Communion, the Parish Priest of St John Paul II Parish Fr. Lorent Dziko thanked the Bishop for choosing to celebrate Easter Mass with Christians of the parish. The Parish Priest further thanked the Bishop for the gift of Chalice which will be used in celebrating Mass.
Justice and Peace Desk Drums up Support for Female Candidates in Kameme
By Moses Tinala Mwakisalu
As one way of garnering support for women aspirants in political leadership in Kameme, the Justice and Peace Desk of the Diocese of Karonga through the 50:50 Campaign Project organized a football match between Isrando Football Club and Manyala Football Club; both from Kameme.
The football match, which took place at Ipenza Primary School in the area of Traditional Authority Kameme, was aimed at attracting voters to listen to women’s manifesto ahead of May 21 polls. Through the 50:50 Campaign, the Justice and Peace Desk is promoting women aspiring for elective positions.
One of the two female aspirants in the area, Mercy Mpoha came to the rally and she convincingly sold herself to the masses. While CCJP had a general call for the people to vote for a woman, Mercy Mpoha clearly articulated her manifesto to the multitude of voters present at the venue.
In her speech, both at half time and before the prize presentation to the winning team, Mercy Mpoha said time has come for people of Hanga Ward to consider seriously and choose development.
She assured the people gathered that once voted as Ward Councillor for the area, he will collaborate with the people to develop the area. She realizes that a genuine Ward Councillor works with the community to rightfully present their needs to the District Council.
She said she will work very closely with the Area Development Committee (ADC) and Village Development Committee (VDC). She noted that, since the dawn of multiparty democracy, the area has not seen any meaningful development, hence the need to vote for her.
Mercy Mpoha further said she would ensure that Chitipa District Council is more transparent and accountable in the administration of public funds to ensure that they serve the intended purpose which is the advancement of people’s wellbeing.
Drumming up support for Mpoha, Ipenza VDC Chairperson urged the people present to support Mercy and vote for her. He further said making a wrong choice will see the Kameme lagging behind in development for another five years.
Mapenenga dance from Nanyiru spiced up the gathering. At the end of the match, Manyala FC emerged winners and went away with a grand prize.
Bishop Mtumbuka Celebrates Good Friday with the Faithful of St Joseph the Worker Cathedral
By Benjamin Msowoya
During this year’s Good Friday (19 April 2019) celebrations, Bishop Martin Anwel Mtumbuka of the Diocese of Karonga joined the faithful of St Joseph the Worker Cathedral. The celebrations started in the morning (11:30am) and ended in the late afternoon (4:30pm).
The celebration included the Way of the Cross (from Baka CDSS to the Cathedral), Liturgy of the Word, and Communion.
In his homily, the Bishop stressed the suffering which Jesus went through in order to save humanity (the physical and mental torture, humiliation in the public; all that for our salvation).
He said that each time we reflect on these mysteries of our salvation, we as Christians should know that our salvation came about at a very high price – someone died for us. Therefore, we should take our Christianity, the faith, seriously.
There was also Special Collection (funds collected on Good Friday), called Universal Collection for the Holy Land which will be sent to the Vatican so that the Pope uses it to take care of the holy sites in Israel.
Also present during the Good Friday celebration at St Joseph the Worker Cathedral were Fr Cecilio Silwamba and Deacon Anthony Mwafulirwa.
Way of the Cross in Pictures
Wasambo Community for the Abolition of CDF in Favour of CMSF
Happy Ndovi – Wasambo CJ
Citizens and Community Action Group (CAG) members from, Senior Traditional Authority (STA) Wasambo, in Karonga District have asked the Government of Malawi to abolish Constituency Development Fund (CDF), and instead channel the funds to the newly introduced, Community Managed Social Fund (CMSF) which they feel is well managed by communities themselves.
The citizens are very much satisfied with the reports on how the CMSF is being utilized in development projects compared to CDF, which is highly politicized and marred by cases of mismanagement of funds due to its limited transparency and accountability.
The concerned citizens were speaking at the meeting that took place at Hara Maternity Wing in the area of Group Village Headman (GVH) Chimphinga, attended by several committees including; local leaders, Area Development Committee (ADC), Village Development Committee (VDC), Health Facility Management Committee (HFMC), Project Implementation Committee (PIC), Community Audit Committee (CAC) and the general public aiming getting reports from PIC and Audit Committee.
According to reports; it showed that PIC followed all guidlines and procedures to implement MK 19.6 million maternity with construction project for the good of the community.
ADC Chairperson Rev. Harry Mhango, thanked government for empowering the community with this kind of fund.
“This fund is manageable, transparent and accountable, compared to other existing funds. We arge the government to abolish other funds and remain with CMSF,” Mhango said.
Speaking at the same event, GVH Chimphinga drummed up support for the abolition of the other two development funds citing they are heavily personalized by people in power hence limited accountability.
“CDF is MP’s money, and District Development Fund (DDF) is DC’s money. They are untouchable and can neither be audited not be held to account. The Government has to abolish these funds and increase funding to CMSF, which is more empowering to the communities,” said Chimphinga.
CAG Chairperson for the area, Baclea Gowa Nyasulu under the Justice and Peace Desk of the Diocese of Karonga assured the gathering that they will lobby and advocate through all relevant stakeholders in order to abolish the existing funds, especially CDF.
The MK 4 billion Community Managed Social Economic Development Fund was approved Parliament last year to allow communities decide on development projects they need and implement them on their own through their Area Development Committees away from the interference of politicians.
The Justice and Peace Desk of the Diocese of Karonga is implementing a 32 months project called Citizens Action for Local Government Accountability (CALGA), in three T/As within Karonga (Wasambo, Kyungu and Kilipula). The project aims at empowering communities to demand transparency and accountability in the management of local development resources. The project is being implemented with funding from Irish Aid and Implemented through Danish Church Aid (DCA).
Sunday School Children Plant 167 Trees at St Charles Lwangwa Substation in St Michael’s Parish
By Lonely Paul Mwandira.
Sunday School Children led by the Methodology Advisor of St Michael’s Parish Mr. Paul Mwandira planted 167 trees at St Charles Lwangwa Substation at a proposed site for new Church building.
Speaking during the ceremony which lasted for two hours, the Methodology Advisor said “Love the trees until their leaves fall off, then encourage them to try again next year” this according to Mr. Mwandira said when trees are about to die, we should make sure that we make necessary measures to make sure that they survive.
The substation Chairperson also commended the Sunday school children in the area for coming out in large numbers to support the activity.
“Trees are very important because of the role they play in making the world a better place to live,” he said.
He linked the tree planting to this year’s Diocesan theme decreed by the Bishop of the Diocese of Karonga Right Reverend Martin Anwel Mtumbuka.
“The same trees we are planting today will bring good rains and our children will have bumper yield in the future. In turn they will be energetic to evangelize,” said the Chairperson.
The activity was later joined by members in the community who deemed it good for the society.
Education Desk Monitors English Speaking Project at Mubanga
By Lonely Paul Mwandira (Methodology Advisor St Michael’s)
Sunday school children in early grades under St. Michael’s Parish now have an opportunity to improve their English speaking skills, thanks to the re-launched “Promotion of English Speaking Skills among Sunday School Children” project.
Mubanga Primary School is one of the beneficiaries of the project which is being funded by the Coppels family.
The project seeks to improve English proficiency in early grade learners so that they do not face difficulties in their academic work as well as in conversation.
The parish has been conducting these activities in preparation for the competition which will be done at Deanery level and later at Diocesan level.
Diocesan Education Desk Officer Mr. Remmie Kamanga paid a monitoring visit to the school to ascertain the progress being made. During the ceremony, learners showcased mastery in English through debates, poem recitals and biblical verses recitals among other activities.
Mr Kamanga appreciated the courage which early grade learners at Mubanga showed during the exhibitions. Speaking after the activities at Mubanga, Mr. Kamanga said that it was seen that the activities would create an opportunity for children to practice reading and speaking English which would result into mastery of the language.
“If our young boys and girls do master the English language they will also easily understand academic work in class in later classes, hence, excel in their education” said Kamanga.
Since education is offered to our children in English language, inability to speak English among many Malawians leads to poor academic performance.
Also present during the ceremony was Catechetical production officer, Mr Ignatius Mvula and Methodology Advisor, Mr Lonely Paul Mwandira.
The project has also incorporated the Headmaster of Mubanga Mr Mwenyechanya, two primary school teachers Mr Ephraim Kapanje and Mr Timothy Mukisi who will work hand in hand with Sunday school instructors and the zone Catechist.
Missio USA Representatives Happy with Progress at Chipunga Farm
By Stephano Nkhata
The Chief Lending Officer for Missio Invest Africa Mr. Keith Polo and the Regional Coordinator Fr. Celestino Bundi Mutea recently visited Chipunga Farm Limited to check on the progress being made at the farm especially on the two main crops, coffee and macadamia.
The Diocese of Karonga acquired the farm with a loan obtained from Missio USA to engage into serious agricultural production as a drive towards self-sustainability. Currently most activities of the Diocese are funded by partners.
Activities on the farm began immediately after the farm was handed over to the Diocese on 4th January, 2018. The Diocese has planned to invest in coffee and macadamia nuts production. The farm covers an area of 286.876 hectares and the Diocese intends to have 150 hectares of coffee and 100 hectares of macadamia nuts.
During the visit to Chipunga Farm, Polo and Fr. Bundi were accompanied by Father John Chitsulo of Blantyre Archdiocese and Mr Duncan Magwira from the Episcopal conference of Malawi who is currently the coordinating person for Missio funded projects in Malawi.
Stephano Nkhata gave background information for Chipunga Farm to the visitors and later on supported by James Kasambala went to the coffee and macadamia nursery beds to show them what we are actually doing on the ground.
About 48 000 seedlings of coffee have been raised and others amounting to 40 000, seeds of coffee have been sown on a nursery bed still for the same purpose. The farm has a yearly target of 20 ha of coffee each year and one ha contains 4 000 seedlings on a one meter spacing depending on variety of the coffee.
Keith Polo and friends were later shown the nursery for macadamia nuts. Macadamia nuts take about two years before being transplanted into the main field.
After this, the visitors were taken to the main field where the farm has this year planted 20 ha of coffee.The picture below shows group members on a farm vehicle on their way the main field.
The visitors were quite impressed to see the pace and progress of the major activities of the farm. They advised the team at the farm on areas that need constant attention.
Kaseye Girls Reach out to the Elderly as Part of Lenten Observance
‘WE SHALL GO TO THEM’ continually reminds the fraternity of Kaseye Girls’ Secondary School of their spiritual and social responsibility of reaching out to the underprivileged members of the society in the peripherals of the school.
In the same spirit, Kaseye Girls’ Secondary School (St. Therese of the Child Jesus) on 23rd March, 2019 engaged in works of charity targeting the needy members of the community that surround the school. This is also in fulfillment of Lenten obligation of almsgiving.
As it was not practical for the whole school to take part in the acts of charity, a representative group of 79 comprising of 7 members of the teaching staff, 2 members of the support staff, and 70 students participated in the works of mercy. The students were divided further into seven groups of 10 and each group was accompanied by a member of staff.
Initially, 13 households were identified out of which 7 households were really needy to whom visits were made. The targeted members mostly comprised of the elderly with an age range of 80 to 90 years. 4 households were identified at Chipakama residential area and 3 households at Vumbo residential area.
From Chipakama residential area, the members visited were Mama Namwira, Mufwa Mzinza, Violet Nachilima and Dyna Nakayira. Visits were also made to Milliam Namwanja, Mercy Nafungwe and Agnes Nasichali of Vumbo residential area.
Our activities began with a word of prayer followed by a Biblical reflection. In all the groups, the charity work was in form of general cleaning of the surrounding (sweeping, slashing and clearing shrubs); drawing water; washing of dishes; presenting assorted items like bars of washing and bath soap, packets of sugar, money and 5 kg of flour). The items shared were solely contributed by the students apart from sugar and flour which were provided by the school.
After these chores, the students had a chance to chat with the elderly. The most fascinating thing was that the elderly shared their life experiences especially on how they took care of themselves to keep surviving to this day. With hope, our students learnt a lot on how best to take care of themselves in order to live longer and achieve their set goals.
All the activities were done according plan and it was a success. All the groups departed at 8:45 am and by 11:35 am all group members were back on campus. Members of all the visited households thanked the school for such a gesture and were extremely happy for being visited. In appreciation, they boiled fresh maize for our students. Many thanks to the administration of Kaseye Girls’ Secondary School for spearheading the whole charity work.
Pictorial Focus
The 2nd Interplast team visits Malawi
By Vincent Shaba
Barely a month after the first team visited Malawi in February, another team of four members arrived on the 31st of March through Mbeya in Tanzania. The team includes two medical doctors namely Dr. Joachim Groschel, an Anaesthesia Specialist and Dr. Cornelia Leszinski.
Dr. Joachim, leading the team, has had a number of visits to Malawi with other teams before and is in love with Malawi. Accompanying the two Doctors are Martin Stasius, a Nurse Anaesthetist and Angelika Mohrer, Surgical Nurse.
The team has special interest in abdominal surgical conditions. However, they are also assisting people with other surgical conditions including tumors. The team is expected to be in Malawi up to the 14th of April.
Doctors from German continue to assist rural masses in Chitipa, Karonga and other districts in Malawi. The team members are very excited and grateful for the warm welcome and friendly attitude of Malawian community especially those of Chitipa district.
The Health Desk continually thank Bishop Martin Anwel Mtumbuka and Dr. Shidelko for bringing closer specialty services to the people of rural Malawi. These services are only available in Central Hospitals making them inaccessible due to long distance and financial constraints and thus suffer silently.