Miracle Technical Institute in Tree Planting Exercise
By Norbert Mzembe
In living the spirit of Laudato Si, which calls for care of the environment, Miracle Technical Institute in Karonga embarked on a tree planting exercise to replace trees cut in the course of construction work and practical training in carpentry and joinery, and bricklaying.
The institute, which falls under the Catholic Diocese of Karonga, partnered with Technical Entrepreneurial and Vocational Training Authority (TEVETA) to carry out the exercise during which 3000 seedlings were planted at the school’s campus.
Speaking during the launch of the exercise, Brother Pachalo Joseph Mfune, Director of the institute admitted that the school has for decades been an enemy of the environment by cutting down trees without replacing them. He said the management decided to embrace nature by replanting trees where they are cut, because the college relies much on trees for most of its activities.
“Over the past ten years the college has some many activities that led to excessive cutting down of trees for the construction work without replacement,” he said.
TEVETA Regional Service Centre Manager for the north, Conceptor Kachoka said it remains their responsibility to nurture the environment by planting trees, especially at Miracle Technical Institute, because they promote technical courses like carpentry and Joinery (CJ), bricklaying and others which demand more trees.
She then urged students and all members of staff at the college to look after the trees they have planted for the benefit of the future generation.
During the exercise, at least 3000 tree seedlings were planted within the college campus and every student from each department was assigned to plant eleven (11) seedlings which they are expected to take care of.
TEVETA thereafter, promised to give tokens of appreciation to students whose trees will survive as a way of motivating them to nurture the trees.
This was the first time for Miracle Technical to replace the trees that the college has been using in the construction of facilities such as classroom blocks and furniture.
Karonga Diocese Develops Consolidated Annual Programme for 2018
By Moses Raymond Kamanga
Walking the talk of embracing the centralised structure of running the Church in Malawi, Karonga Diocese takes a further stride by holding a joint planning meeting to come up with an annual consolidated programme for all the Commissions of the Diocese.
Opening the meeting, Bishop of the Diocese of Karonga, Rt. Rev. Martin Mtumbuka, stated the importance of the meeting and having an annual consolidated programme to make sure that each commission knows what other commissions intend to implement.
The meeting brought together all Parish Priests of the Diocese of Karonga, desk officers of the three commissions of the Diocese namely; Pastoral, Caritas and Finance Investments and Administration.
Taking the opportunity of the gathering, Bishop Mtumbuka announced the opening of Chisenga Health Centre under the Diocesan Health Department which will be run by Lusubilo Orphan Care. Speaking on the sidelines of the meeting, the Bishop explained that though the Health Centre will require patients paying something for treatment, the Chisenga community will also benefit more from Lusubilo Orphan Care services.
The Diocese of Karonga is privileged to have embraced the centralised way of running the Diocese to help the young diocese share resources and act as a unit in delivering spiritual and social development programmes to the Christians and all people within its area of jurisdiction.
Due to these strides, the Diocese has set a pace which other Dioceses in the Ecclesiastical territory of Malawi are emulating.
Karonga Diocese Donates Assorted Items to Mpherembe Parish
By Liberty Alex Mwangosi
In solidarity with the newly established St Cecilia Mpherembe Parish, Catholic Christians of Karonga Diocese have donated assorted start-up items. This followed the appeal by Bishop Martin Mtumbuka of Diocese of Karonga, to Catholic Christians to donate generously towards the parish.
Following the Bishop’s call, various parishes dedicated First Sunday of Advent collections to the aid of the new parish.
Father Steven Bulambo PhD, Judicial Vicar Designate, led a delegation from Karonga Diocese to Mpherembe to handover the gifts from Karonga. Among the gifts delivered were kitchen utensils, bicycles, catechism book, food stuffs, and other items and a cheque worth K430,500.
Speaking on behalf of Bishop Mtumbuka at the function, Father Bulambo said that giving does not mean you have plenty, but the heart of the Christians. He stated that they are aware on a number of challenges that come when a parish has just been established.
“We know quite well the challenges that newly established parishes face. That is why the Bishop Martin Mtumbuka and the entire community of Karonga Diocese thought of helping St. Cecilia Parish.” Said Father Bulambo.
Expressing his gratitude on behalf of the Christians of St. Cecilia Parish, the Parish Priest Father Isaiah Nyirenda, said he least expected help from the Diocese of Karonga, being a baby diocese of Mzuzu.
“The Diocese of Karonga is teaching us that no one has a lot to share and there is no one who has nothing to give.” Said Father Nyirenda.
Right Reverend John Ryan, Bishop of Mzuzu Diocese, established St. Cecilia Mpherembe Parish from St. John Mzambazi in Easter 2017.
Chipunga Farm Limited Board Holds First Meeting
By Stephano Nkhata
The Board of Directors for Chipunga Farm Limited held their first meeting on 14th January where among other things, they elected office bearers. This meeting followed the official handover of the farm earlier this month.
Bishop Martin Anwel Mtumbuka of the Diocese of Karonga appointed the Board of Directors to play an advisory role in the management of the farm.
Mr Bob Jere, a lecture in Aquaculture at Mzuzu University, who had earlier been appointed Interim Chairperson chaired the meeting. During the meeting, the Board members confirmed Mr Bob Jere as Chairperson of the Board.
In the absence of the Executive Director, Mr Stephano Nkhata, Resource Mobilisation Officer, was confirmed as Secretary of the Board. The allocation of Board members into different positions was based on experience and field of specialization.
In his acceptance speech, Mr Jere expressed gratitude to the board members for entrusting him with the task. He promised to together with the members and Diocese as a whole to achieve the mission of the Diocese of Karonga.
The chairperson also thanked Bishop Mtumbuka for the best composition of the Board.
“The Board members are people of dynamic skills and expertise which is very advantageous to the smooth running of the farm,” He said.
Other members to the Board include: Mr Paul Guta, Business Administrator for Nedbank Malawi; Mr John Gift Mwakhwawa, Lawyer; Mr Ben Longwe and Mr Clement Mwale, Engineers; Mr Alfred Longwe and Stephano Nkhata, Marketers; Madam Kefasi Chawinga, Land Management specialist.
The board has also ex officials who will help a lot in the development of the farm. Among the ex-official members is Mr Daniel Zimba who has a vast experience in the growing and production of Coffee. Other ex-official members are Father Cecilio Silwamba, Director of Finance, Investment and Administration; Mr Mwawi Shaba, Caritas Secretary; Mr Franklin Msiska, Development Desk Officer.
Karonga Diocese Commemorates the Life of Bishop Zuza
By Moses Raymond Kamanga
Before the 15th of January 2015, all Malawian nationals celebrated the brave life of Rev. John Chilembe. Thereafter, one more reason was attached to the date: celebrating another extraordinary brave life of Rt. Rev. Joseph Mukasa Zuza.
Leading the Catholic Christians of the Diocese of Karonga in Eucharistic celebration commemorating the life of Late Bishop Zuza on Monday, 15th January, 2018, Bishop Martin Anwel Mtumbuka highlighted the life of Bishop Zuza centering on his “servant” character.
“When gathered as Bishops at ECM plenary, usually members of Catholic Women Organisation served us during meal time. But Late Bishop Zuza would join the ladies to serve us his fellow Bishops. This is a rare character that Bishop Zuza had.” Stated Bishop Mtumbuka as he introduced the memorial Mass which he offered in the St. Joseph the Worker Cathedral.
He also reminded Christians from all corners of the Diocese, who gathered in the Cathedral, that before Karonga was a diocese, Bishop Zuza pastored this whole area and most Christians knew Bishop Zuza except very little children: hence the reason to set aside 15th January as a day of reflection and prayer for the fallen Hero; Bishop Zuza.
Bishop Joseph Mukasa Zuza died on the 15th of January, 2015 in a road accident at Nthungwa on Mzuzu – Mzimba road as he was driving to Mzuzu from his home. He was laid to rest on 19 January, 2015 at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Mzuzu.
He hailed from Mhlafuta Village, Malembo area in Mzimba District. Until the time of his death, he was the Chairperson of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi.
Bishop Zuza is fondly remembered by Catholics and all people as a cheerful and bold leader. He fearlessly pointed out the wrongs, even those committed by government.
May His Soul Continue Resting In Peace!
Karonga Diocese Takes Over Chipunga Farm Limited
By Stephen Nkhata (Resource Mobilisation Officer)
Karonga Diocese continues to expand its income generating base and has recently acquired Chipunga Farm Limited with a financial loan from American Conference of Catholic Bishops. The previous owner of the company was Mr Bernard Shwarz.
The official handovers took place on 4th January, 2018 at Chipunga Farm in Chikwina, Nkhata Bay. During the handover ceremony, delegation from Karonga Diocese was led by the Director of Finance, Investment and Administration, Fr. Cecilio Silwamba. Others included; Mwawi Shaba, the Caritas Secretary; Stephen Nkhata, Resource and Mobilization Officer; Memory Dzodzi, Human Resource Officer; Franklin Msiska, Development Desk Officer; James Kasambala, the newly appointed Farm Manager and Mr. Osward Mtupila, Diocesan Lawyer. The team of the previous owner was composed of Mr. Bernard Shwarz, his wife and Mr. Sam Kasambiza, an agent from Knight Frank ; a company that brokered the sale. The ceremony went on very well to the satisfaction of both parties.
Chipunga Farm covers 286.46 hectares of mountainous land of which approximately 40% is cleared, the remainder being woodland and built up area.
The estate is engaged in crop production with existing major crops being Macadamia which covers a position of about 20.9 hectares and coffee 3.6 hectares. The farm also possesses facilities for livestock farming.
The built up area comprises dwelling houses, offices. Store rooms, ablution block, water reservoirs, coffee drying tables, papery, receiving and fermentation tanks. However their conditions vary from good to dilapidated, typical for agricultural properties.
Karonga Diocese intends to plant the majority of the hectares with coffee and also expand macadamia hectares . Karonga Diocese has taken a path towards self-sustenance through investments such as Chitipa Filling Station, which serves the whole district of Chitipa and surrounding areas. The Diocese also has Misuku Coffee Farm which covers 15 hectares, out of which 3.2 hectares have been developed. The other project in the pipeline is the Uzumala Farm in Rumphi District.
Bishop Mtumbuka Ordains Edward Kamanga to Diaconate
Bishop Martin Anwel Mtumbuka of Karonga Diocese on Saturday 23rd December 2017 ordained Edward Kamanga to diaconate as a transitory step towards priesthood. The ceremony will go into the annals of the Diocese as it is the first time for St Joseph the Worker Cathedral to host an ordination since its inauguration in November, 2016.
In his homily, which centred on the theme of ‘Centrality of Salvation of Souls’ to the mission of the Church, Bishop Mtumbuka stressed that the number one priority of the Church is to help people to know God, to be saved, and to grow in holiness and faith. He further stressed that the Church is there to prepare people and sanctify them to stand in the presence of God.
“We cannot be a Diocese if we stop at delivering on charity work and social development. As a Diocese we are doing a lot to alleviate the suffering of the people through charity work, education and health services. But if you stop at initiating development work, then you are turning a holy ministry into mere social work. And that is not acceptable. As priests we are supposed to pray and bless Christians who are placed into our care. ” Said Bishop Mtumbuka.
The Bishop further exhorted priests to grow in the spirit of service since they are servants of God and instruments of the Church. He reminded them that they are meant to serve the Christians entrusted to their care and not to be served. The Bishop said problems arise between Christians and priests when priests have forgotten that they are servants.
“The understanding of a priest as a servant does not undermine his leadership role. He has to lead and guide Christians and not to be led. There is a tendency among some Christians to take over the responsibility of priests and take themselves superior of priests.” The Bishop further advised.
In his address to the newly ordained, Bishop Mtumbuka urged him to be modest and faithful and grow in prayer. He stressed that the first step of Holy Orders, Diaconate, is meant to help the deacon to grow in service. He urged him to pray always citing there is no important engagement for a priest than prayer.
The occasion was graced by people from all walks of life including priests, religious sisters and brothers and among them was Right Honourable Richard Msowoya, Speaker of the National Assembly of Malawi.
Deacon Edward Kamanga’s is expected to be ordained priest in July. He hails from Ehehleni, TA Mzukuola in Mzimba District. He is undergoing formation at St Augustine’s Peramiho Major Seminary in Tanzania.
Development Desk of Karonga Diocese Launches Rural Livelihood Project
By Elijah Banda
Climate change, as characterized by dry spell, flooding, short rainfall seasons with erratic patterns, is causing a decline in food production by smallholder farmers. Further, the ever increasing national population is exerting putting pressure on natural resources. To mitigate this, on 1st October, 2017, the Development Desk of Karonga Diocese launched a project aimed at building community resilience to the effects of Climate Change and population growth.
This multimillion Kwacha ‘Karonga and Chitipa Integrated Rural Development Project’ targets communities in the areas of Paramount Chief Kyungu in Karonga District and Mwabulambiya, Mwenemisuku and Mwenewenya in Chitipa District. The project is being implemented with financial assistance from MISEREOR Germany.
The project will engage 2400 households to improve natural resource management, annual food production, and household income. The project will also empower 160 young people economically through informal vocation training.
Speaking during the District Executive Committee (DEC) project briefing in Chitipa, the District Commissioner for Chitipa District, Grace Chirwa, appreciated the role Karonga Diocese is playing in complementing government’s efforts in improving people’s livelihoods. She further urged the Diocese to consider more interventions that would empower unemployed youths. These, she said, if not well managed end up engaging in promiscuous behavior.
During the meeting, DEC members reviewed and technically appraised the project. They pointed out some areas which needed further consideration and possible amendment.
Addressing DEC members after the approval of the project, Development Desk Project Officer-Elijah Banda expressed a word of gratitude to the District Commissioner for tirelessly supporting Karonga Diocese’s development initiatives and DEC members for their technical input.
“I thank you all for the technical advice towards the perfection of the project. Be assured these will be taken into consideration. Since the Development Desk will also work together with relevant government sectors, then most of the concerns raised will be addressed in the actual implementation of the project.” He said.
This is a three-year project and it runs from October 2017 to September 2020 using a community approach.