MALAWI

Soon make a donation directly through this website to help the Malawi Orphans.

MALAWI.

In 2006 Helen and Guillaume visited Malawi with the Diocese of Birmingham Skills-Share programme.

Click the following link to see their photos of the trip.

MALAWI OVERVIEW

November 2007

Edwina has asked me to write a few words on the Birmingham – Malawi link, economic development, and the problems Malawi faces.

I am sometimes asked why we support Malawi, and not some other African country.

In the mid 1960s, there was an Anglican clergy conference in Canada, which the then Bishop of Birmingham, Leonard Wilson, attended. This was just after the time when African countries had gained independence, and they were really struggling. Their peoples had been ruled by outsiders, and had no experience of ruling themselves. One forward-thinking clergyman at this conference suggested that each of the established diocese in the U.K. should "take under its wing" one of these emerging countries and help to support it.. This was considered to be a good proposal, and passed. Birmingham was prepared to do this. After his return home, Bishop Leonard and his wife went to Malawi to visit their daughter who was working as a doctor there. They liked the country and its people, and so chose to help Malawi. Hence the Birmingham-Malawi link was set up.

Malawi obtained independence from the U.K. in 1961. It was previously known as Nyasaland, but when it became a Republic in 1964, its name was changed to Malawi.

We at St. Chad's have supported Malawi in various health-care projects with the U.S.P.G. HIV/AIDS programme, Water Aid in Malawi, Malosa Secondary School with U.S.P.G., an agricultural project with Concern Universal and street children again with Concern Universal. Last year, we raised enough money to construct two large bore-holes with pumps for water supply in South Malawi. This year we are supporting St. Martin's Hospital, Malindi, with the Malawi Association for Christian Support. (www.malawimacs.org).

There are two main un-changeable factors which hinder the economic develpoment of Malawi. It is a land-locked country, at least 1,000 miles from the sea, thus making the exportation of goods difficult and expensive. The other factor is the climate. Malawi has a Sub-Saharan climate, with droughts, and flooding, thus making agriculture difficult, and it leads to a high prevalance of malaria.

There is some good news, though.The present President, Dr. Mutharika, who was elected in 2005, is determined to cut out corruption. The World Bank would not cancel Malawi's debt until there were obvious signs of improvement under the new President. He must have done well, because their debt was cancelled in September 2006, The people had worked hard, and in 2006, the G.D.P. was up by 7%, agriculture up by 8.5%, and could grow by 7% or more in 2007. This cancellation will improve the Malawian economy by £620 million a year, and will be used to improve the lives of the rural poor. It is helping to pay for free supply of drugs to combat HIV/AIDS, enabling many sufferers to continue working, and leading better lives. It is also being used to improve the road infrastructure.

However Malawi is still one of the 10 poorest countries in the world, so please, let us keep up our support.

Reprinted from Mary Ash, November 2007 issue of St. Chad’s magazine, Lodge and Common.

SEPTEMBER 2008.

FUND RAISING FOR MALAWI

OUR CURRENT PROJECT.

Many thanks to all who supported the Cream Tea in July. I am pleased to say that we raised £476-00. Thank you also to the people who make cakes and support the cake-stall every Sunday morning.

We decided at the beginning of the year that we would support community-based projects with special reference to orphans. We have now finished paying for the dressmaking project, and it is up and running.

MACS have asked us if we would support the 'Living Bread Community - Based Organisation'. This organisation is in the Zomba area of Southern Malawi, and covers ten villages, looking after the orphans. It is organised by the Village Heads and Lay Religious Leaders in the catchment area, and is registered with the District Social Welfare Office. Father Joel Malanda is supervising the organisation.

The Community Based Organisation (CBO) now has a total of 365 orphaned children. It was opened in 2005 by Margaret Parr of MACS with just 50 orphans. There is a nursery of 78 children who are looked after by four lady volunteers from the villages. The CBO would like to pay them a little, but cannot, due to lack of resources. The children are seldom given tea and porridge (made with maize in Malawi) because of lack of money to buy maize.

The CBO has embarked on a skills training for orphaned youths (such as carpentry and metal-working for boys and dressmaking for girls ), and it is also keen to empower women. There is a home-based care service, where the sick, particularly the chronically ill with AIDS are cared for- they are washed, their houses cleaned, and when possible, are given some vegetables from the meagre amounts that the volunteers have.

In July this year, the CBO were donated three bicycle ambulances, and three bicycles for the volunteers. Previously, sick people had to be carried the seven or so kilometres to the nearest clinic. The volunteers looking after the infants previously had to walk from village to village, but now they can go by bike. The mothers of the under 5s are encouraged to take their children to the clinic so that their health can be assessed. The elderly are also cared for. There are youth clubs for the children with the idea of trying to keep them out of trouble. What the CBO is trying to do is to stop the young people running away to the towns and living on the streets.

I think that this is a wonderful organisation, and well deserving of our support.

There was some money left over in our account with MACS from the dressmaking project, and MACS have put this to the CBO. This, together with !he proceeds of our fund-raising, and some personal donations, came to £1,800-00, which MACS sent to the Living Bread CBO.

I have had a lovely letter from Fr. Joel, thanking us for the money. He said that they have bought maize, blankets, soap, sugar, salt, and beans, and that distribution took place on 9th of August. The beneficiaries were all groups - the orphans, the elderly, the disabled, and the widows. The nursery children have started having porridge. Fr. Joel says 'God Bless You'.

Let's hope we can keep this up. Thank you to everyone who helps.

Mary Ash.

To see photos of the orphans and people the project is helping click on this link.

TUESDAY 23 SEPTEMBER 2008 EMAIL FROM FATHER JOEL MALANDA.

Below you can read the email sent by Father Joel Malanda, the priest in charge of the CBO (Community Based Organisation) for orphans that we at St. Chad’s are supporting, to Mary Ash.

My Dear Mary,

Greetings in the Mighty name of our Risen Lord Jesus Christ the Saviour.

Please many many thanks receive from the Living Bread CBO for the wonderful work you are doing in order to alleviate the sufferings of the needy in CBO catchment area of 10 villages. We are all very thankful and we don`t take it for granted. It is not easy in this world to help people who are gnashing their teeth with poverty but it takes hearts of real people of understanding the situation like St. Chad Church is doing. During Christmas indeed these underpriviledged people will need to eat at least a better food especially the orphaned children. The children will need also good clothes on Christmas. Therefore, we receive the good news with thankful voices that funds will be available.

The photos of six children will be sent by scan next week and the committee is very happy and ready to send them to you just down load them.

The CBO has set up a committee specifically for intercessions to pray for St. Chad as you raise funds for the CBO. That the donors should be receiving abundant blessings from Almighty God always and always.

With Christ`s abundant blessings to St. Chad Church,

Joel

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TUESDAY 30 DECEMBER 2008 EMAIL FROM FATHER JOEL MALANDA.

My Dear Mary,

Happy Christmas and Prosperous New Year to you and the entire St. Chad Church. Please we thank you very much for the gift of meal mealie we bought for the orphaned kids and distribution was done on Tuesday, 23^rd. They were very much relieved because situation was very bad for them.

You will see women volunteers preparing porridge for the children. The children eating porridge in groups. The children carrying meal mealie .The children ready to receive porridge with an old destitute woman. These children rarely have something to eat in the morning at their homes instead they come to the Living Bread when we have maize flour. You are the only donor feeding these children and the months of February and March are terrible months here. Once again we thank you.

With very best wishes,

Joel.

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WEDNESDAY 4^TH FEBRUARY 2009 EMAIL FROM FATHER JOEL MALANDA.

Dear Paul,

Thanks for your email and that you received the photos. For photos to your church web there is no problem since you are the only donor for the Living Bread CBO. Possibly other donors might come in because we need school fees for some orphans and other necessities. As I write you they have been sent back from school because of school fees.

With best wishes

Joel.

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FRIDAY 20^TH FEBRUARY 2009 EMAIL FROM FATHER JOEL MALANDA.

Dear Mary,

Thanks for your email and delay to reply was due to internet café lacking power for some days. We have received the money and we have started paying fees for the 9 orphaned children who were sent back from secondary school because of fees.

They are back in school because of you through God almighty be praised indeed. Next week Monday we are buying maize for distribution and sugar and salt for porridge. After the whole exercise has been finalized we will do our best to communicate to you by sending photos of distribution and fees recipients/ beneficiaries. The CBO committee conveys message of vote of great thanks to entire Church of St Chad for their untiring effort to alleviate the suffering of the underpriviledged/ the poor here. Receive our deep down heart appreciations for all you do for us here and we don’t take this for granted.

With very best wishes

Joel

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MONDAY 16 MARCH 2009 EMAIL FROM FATHER JOEL MALANDA.

Dear Mary,

Greetings from the Living Bread CBO and once again thanks very much for the timely assistance to the needy in order to alleviate their sufferings. Due to shortage of maize of last year harvest we have delayed to send reports. We moved here and there to no avail, until we had to go to Mozambique border for several days and go it. Distribution was done yesterday Sunday to orphans and helpless elderly. It went on well though other elderly could not manage to walk to centre instead we sent them the remaining maize you see.

The secondary school pupils also we are sending their names, school and form they are in. (Not reproduced here for security reasons).

Some photos are coming later because they are far. The pupils are in their school uniform and joined in line by Fr Joel, a volunteer and one village Head. School will close on 9 April 2009 and open on 27 April 2009, two weeks holiday.

With best wishes

Joel.

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TUESDAY 16 JUNE 2009 EMAIL AND PHOTOS FROM FATHER JOEL MALANDA.

Dear Paul

Greetings from The Living Bread CBO in the Mighty Name of Jesus Christ. Fees and distribution of maize has been done and please receive the photos and new names of pupils.

NAME SECONDARY SCHOOL FORM

Mark St. Michaels 1

Gift Katamba 3

Francis St. Michaels 2

Lucy St. Michaels 2

Fanny St. Michaels 2

Lloyd St. Michaels 1

Willard Talandira 1

Paul Talandira 1

Lilian Chilwa 1

Imani St. Michaels 2

White Malosa 1

Isaac from Central Province, very far , Mchinji District border with Zambia and he is with White and me in black tee-shirt very short boy 13 years old the CBO provided him with beddings, uniform, shoes, suitcase, bathing towel, soap, oils, sweater and pocket money. He came literally with nothing only a dirty bed sheet in a sack. During mid term and holidays we accommodate him. The boy is very bright. Fees for two terms for this boy Isaac was paid by a well wisher in his home district but next term he has declined. We can’t do otherwise but to pay his fees.

Schools will close on 25^th July for second term.

Nursery has 64 children and they pay no fees but they eat porridge every day. The area has high illiteracy rate there we want to encourage them like education and school. We really thank from deep down our heart St. Chad’s generosity. God Almighty bless you all.

Joel.

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TUESDAY 7 JULY 2009 EMAIL FROM FATHER JOEL MALANDA.

Dear Mary,

Greetings, from Malawi and the Living Bread CBO .We thank you for the whole effort to alleviate the sufferings of the children and helpless elderly.

School will close on 24th July and open on 24th August 2009. We are always praying for all of you as you raise funds for us here. It is not easy to feel helping some people who are needy but only hearts of understanding people like you . Christianity is thinking about other needy people and this is why Jesus came to save us because he thought about us, our problem that we needed salvation. So you are great people and God’s blessing hand should be upon you always.

Paul will be healed of cancer and he should not be in despair. We are praying for a miracle to happen on his body soon. He is to be healed by Jesus the healer. We are fasting for five days and indeed our prayers should be heard by Jesus in heaven.

With Christ’s abundant blessings.

Joel.

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SATURDAY 18 JULY EMAIL FROM FATHER JOEL MALANDA.

Hi Paul,

It is wonderful and nice and thank you thankful that we have known our pioneers in the mission for alleviating the suffering here. They are beautiful photos and God be praised for the work of charity you are doing at St Chad as you raise funds for the poor. The website is also impressive and as I said last time that you are the only donor we have. The website you have nobody on earth here can claim that he or she knows one photo there due to their donation, all are for St Chad generosity only. Thanks once again. We are displaying the photos in our office of course in picture flames. Schools will close on 24 th of July and open on 24 th of August 2009.

God bless you all.

Joel.

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WEDNESDAY 5 AUGUST 2009 EMAIL FROM FATHER JOEL MALANDA. (How they are helping themselves.)

Dear Mary,

Greetings from the Living Bread.

Thanks very much we have received the money and fees has been paid on 17 th August, 2009 when schools open no one will be at home but go to school.

About education as only way forward in Malawi . Not only way forward but there are other avenues as well. In fact you collided with Ellen my wife on same thought. From part of her salary in June she bought timber, thread, scissors and tape measures. That not all children will go to secondary school therefore we need to impart life skills knowledge. This is why we have bought from fees balance, carpentry tools, tin smith tools including flat sheets and some cloth. On 10 th August 2009 we are displaying the tools we have bought and send you photographs. We have 4 second hand sewing machines. So on 17 th August when schools open we are also opening life skills school right at the Living Bread premises. When they graduate they will be self reliant by making their own things. We have volunteers to be instructors and the community has received this with praise. We praise Lord Jesus for working through you at St Chad , indeed you are admirable church and believers. Our life skills program will also include poor widows.

With very best wishes,

Joel

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WEDNESDAY 12 AUGUST 2009 EMAIL FROM FATHER JOEL MALANDA.

Dear Mary,

Greetings from The Living Bread. Please receive photos of display of life skills tools.

We demonstrated the way things will be done when school opens soon. Youths and women are very eager for the courses.

The photo you see Ellen and I at our house with an abandoned dumped child by the name Patrick. His father dumped him on Sunday at 4.15pm at our house while Ellen was chatting with her relations. The child cried for his father but still he ran away. The child was very weak with hunger and torn dirty clothes.

We have reported to police and the head of the area asked us to keep the child until his father is identified.

We have bought him clothes and area head when he saw Patrick he told people gathered at his house that the child is from rags to nice clothes. We sleeping together with him in our bedroom given a baby colt used to be for our children. She has from Sunday night to now used and playing around with our grandchildren. Assist us praying that his dad is found and punished. In Malawi women dump children and not men, its new.

With best Christ’s wishes,

Joel.

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WEDNESDAY 26 AUGUST 2009 EMAIL FROM FATHER JOEL MALANDA.

Dear Mary

Greetings form the Living Bread.

Life Skills learning has started well with women, girls and boys. They are enthusiastic and I hope they will continue with same spirit. Photographs coming

About the dumped child Patrick is that both parents have mental disorder. The day father dumped Patrick at our house during night he was arrested by Police because he was moving around aimlessly.

Later they discovered that he has mental disorder. When released he came to see his son and later with his relatives. They asked us to keep the child because they are poor. We told them to pick the child but month end to be coming and get soap, oils and other small things and this is our family contribution. We bought him clothes shoes and we provided beddings and we hope you assisted as praying.

God bless you all,

Joel.

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Monday 19^th April 2010

My Dear Mary,

Graduation failed on 31 March 2010 because of heavy rains and funerals until 6 April and it went on very well that youths and women successfully finished their training. On display there is a bed, coffee table, bench, door flame, bucket, basin, school uniform and women clothes to show that now the graduates can make these things. All this because of you St Chad Church. Training the under priviledged and there are so many who need these trainings. The Almighty God shower your congregation with abundant blessings and we luck good statements to describe your gesture.

Another session begin on 10^th May and not 4^th May as previously arranged. We for the new learners that they love their courses as their colleagues did put much enthusiasm.

Christ’s rich blessings to you all at St Chad.

Joel.

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Wednesday 28th April 2010.

My Dear Mary,

We would like to share with St Chad church other health areas we are doing.

We have Home Based Care for HIV / AIDS patients whereby they are visited, counselled, committee members cleaning their houses. Also a committee has just been formed of People Living With AIDS (PLWA) in order to encourage them live positive lives as all other people most deaths we see are HIV/AIDS-related.

All the HIV/AIDS awareness campaigns are done voluntarily there is no funding from anybody. This is so in order to lessen orphans growing number after their parents have died of AIDS.

Am sure you got the photos of life skills.

With best wishes

Joel

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Thursday 17 February 2011

Photos of Food Distribution to orphans and elderly people.

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Saturday 12 March 2011 The Nechells Gospel Choir performed at St. Chad’s Church Sutton Coldfield UK.

Below are photos showing the concert at St. Chad’s. It was a great success. The choir performed for expenses only giving their

time, energy and enthusiasm to raise £466 for the feeding and education of orphans in Malawi. This event would not have happened

without the dedication of Mary Ash the organiser; a valued member of St. Chad’s church. Thank you Mary for all your efforts to bring

about the event.

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Friday 15^th July 2011.

The container from Birmingham has arrived in Blantyre and goods intended for the orphans in Zomba have been distributed. See the photo

below of the children receiving their clothes.

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THURSDAY 15 SEPTEMBER 2011. ACCOUNTS & PHOTOS OF FOOD DISTRIBUTION.

AND PLEA FOR ASSISTANCE.

In July 2011, St. Chad’s congregation sent £1149 to Father Joel and the Living Bread Community Organisation via

Malawi Association of Christian Support (MACS) http://www.malawimacs.org/ to help feed 300 orphans and pay for

their secondary school fees.

Father Joel sent us a breakdown of how the money was spent. Here it is below.

11-09-2011

Hi Paul,

Only God should thank you on our behalf through his blessings.

Please receive photos for distribution of food last week Monday. We have delayed due to power black outs at café. Also break down of the funds you sent us.

AMOUNT RECEIVED K275,261.00 = £ 1027.10

PAYMENT ON ITEMS K t

Ø 43 BAGS @ K1,950 : 83,850.00

Ø 4 bean bags @ K12,500 : 50,000.00

Ø 3 bales sugar @ K3,400 : 10,200.00

Ø 2 stark firewood @ K2,050 : 4,100.00

Ø 30 pieces timber @ K950 : 28,500.00

Ø 7 flat sheets for tinsmith@ K2,150 : 15,050.00

Ø 12kg wire nails @ K420/kg : 50,040.00

Ø Vehicle hire carrying food : 13,750.00

Ø Watch man : 2,500.00

Ø 2 care givers : 4,000.00

Ø 4 committee members meal allowance

when went to purchase items : 6,000.00

Ø Photographs : 500.00

TOTAL EXPENDITURE 223,490.00 = £ 833.91

AMOUNT RECEIVED 275,261.00 = £1027.00

AMOUNT SPENT :223,490.00 = £ 833.91

BALANCE TOTAL 51,771.00 = £ 193.09

This balance for any emergency purposes.

Paul food prices vary according to period. Time of harvest in April prices are good and this time fare but November high and March too high therefore to answer you I may say that in November prices will be.

Pounds

Ø Maize 44 bags : 445.00

Ø Beans 4 bags : 224.00

Ø Sugar 4 bales : 58.00

Ø School fees : 350.00

Ø Vehicle hire : 72.00

TOTAL AMOUNT : £1149.00

In January automatically food prices will sour or very high because hard times. Thanks once again for all good things and work you render to us here.

Greetings to St Chad Congregations, Mary and your family.

With best wishes,

Joel.

Addendum: Malawi currency is the kwacha and there are 268 kwachas to the British Pound.

As can be seen from the above accounts Father Joel has saved £193 for emergencies and this is to be applauded.

Below are the photos of food distribution.

Dates for when money needs to be sent to Father Joel Malanda.

November. £1200 Fees and food dates should be November first week you send the money. This is food for Christmas and fees for January second term.

January. £500 Then for food send money January first week because it is February when it is distributed and this month is a very difficult time here.

April. £1200 Food and Fees send first week of April.

July. £1200 Fees and food fourth week of July.

This is the School calendar system here in Malawi:-

First term- September

Second term - January

Third term – April mid or end.

With the current world and European financial crisis it is getting increasingly difficult for St. Chad’s to fundraise this money. Father Joel and the Living Bread Community Organisation is a really worthwhile deserving cause. St. Chad’s Church is looking for other churches or schools to help support Father Joel’s organisation. If you would like to help please get in touch.

Email: webmaster@stchadssuttoncoldfield.org.uk

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FRIDAY 23 DECEMBER 2011. EMAIL FROM JOEL.

Hi Paul

Please we wish you and St Chad Church a Happy Christmas and Prosperous New Year. We got the funds Wednesday this week and we have bought maize though prices doubled but beans will be available next week from Agricultural Development Marketing, this week not available though also higher prices so will give them beans next week. Because of inflation item prices have gone up and in February it will be very terrible. Today we are giving the children maize and we send you a report. Fees remain the same second term. Thanks for good things.

Audrey is well together with her Mum Ellen and she says she is going to pass exams.

With best wishes,

Joel.

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APRIL 2012. UPDATE.

St. Chad’s donation of £1120 has been received by Father Joel. Secondary School fees are being paid and the kids are delighted to return to school.

Food is to be bought and distributed. Father Joel says ‘God bless St. Chad’s ’.

He also said that the Living Bread Organisation are collecting donations to build a maize mill in order to generate funds to make themselves self-sufficient in caring for the orphans and paying for their secondary education. This is a welcome development. They are buying the necessary land for the site of the maize mill with a recent donation.

MAY 2012 ST. CHAD’S LODGE & COMMON MAGAZINE ARTICLE ON MALAWI.

Many thanks to everyone who supported the container going to Malawi in any way. We collected three good mountain bikes from Sutton police station and also had 300 surgical gloves and ten bags of clothes and blankets to send. So well done to you all.

Unfortunately this was the first time that the container was over-subscribed and it was clear from the start that everything couldn’t go on the container. A decision was made to make any medical goods a priority and disappointingly only two bags of clothes and blankets from us got on the container. We were not the only ones this happened to.

We had paid £120 to the diocese as a contribution to the costs of the transportation (apparently £9000) and we left that with them. They have agreed that our goods will have priority on the next container and Father Joel has been very understanding.

This summer Gary Baker (one of the dads from the Sunday School) has agreed to do a cycle challenge in August and we hope you will all support him with sponsorship.

Many thanks.

Sue Gregory.

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