2012 REPORT TO THE PARISH

MALAWI SUPPORT GROUP-

November 2012

Hi Everyone,

 

Thank you for your generous support again this year by either buying raffle tickets, attending functions or in making donations. Your generosity makes it possible to continue to support a number of initiatives for your sister parish such as continuing to fund breakfast for the school children and school fees for those who cannot afford them including a number of orphans and in providing scholarships to secondary and higher studies.  Without our help this vital support for those in need would not be possible.   

Our activities again proved popular with a crazy whist night early earlier in followed by the St Kizito celebration, Safeway barbecue and the theatre night. Our raffles continue to be well supported and provide excellent prizes.   

 

Political unrest and violence erupted earlier on in Malawi and not long afterwards following the sudden death of the President from a heart attack a new woman President, Joyce Hilda Banda was installed on 7th April 2012. Banda holds a degree in Education from Columbus University and a diploma in management. She has an outstanding record as a grassroots women's' rights activist. She was previously Foreign Affairs Minister and Vice President from 2009 to April 2012.
She is Malawi’s first female president and by all accounts is now leading the country peacefully in the right direction.

 

This year as a measure to say thank you we printed a number of postcards which were left on the table in the gathering areas. On the front was a picture of the OLHC church at Ntandire and on the back Sr Mary Doonan’s prayer which she composed for the Malawi Support Group which we recite at the end of each meeting. The card was designed to use as a post card but the idea is more by way of sharing in Sir Mary’s prayer by way of thanks to donors. Mary composed the prayer for us whilst serving as a medical missionary in Malawi. There is a stock of cards available for anyone who was away at the time.       

Once again for the celebration of St kizto we ran a CD with accompanying music after delivering a short talk. This was also repeated in more detail for the schoolchildren preparing for communion.

 

This year the Eltham Little Theatre production of “Moonlight & Magnolias” turned out to be one of their best productions and it was a most enjoyable night. The key to getting more people along seems to be to advertise for longer periods in the Bulletin since we experienced a welcome last minute surge.  

Finally I would like to thank the Committee for their hard work during this year and look forward to your continuing support. We welcome any new members to join our small friendly group.