Annual Report

Hi Everyone,

This year to encapsulate the respective activities and correspondence between the respective communities here and in Malawi a blog archive book has been produced and is available for perusal in the parish library. We also have a number of post cards still available on the gathering area table.
Once again the fundraising and activities for the group have been very successful, supplemented by some very generous donations. 
Consequently, we sent across to your sister parish $7,000 to continue the support for orphan and parishioner children administered under the outstanding leadership of Fr Taylor. This ensures vital support for sustenance and the payment of school fees for those unable to afford them and to fund scholarships for secondary school as well as equipment can continue.
The reply from Fr. Taylor was as follows:
DEAR LINDSAY, THANK YOU FOR THE BEAUTIFUL BOOK ON THE MALAWI SUPPORT GROUP.I ONLY JUST RECEIVED IT LAST WEEK. AM JUST BACK FROM GIVING AN 8 DAY RETREAT TO 23 NUNS .EXAUSTING HA .DELIGHTED TO GET NOTIFICATION ABOUT THE DOLLARS .IT IS A GREAT TIME TO SEND IT .OUR KWACHA WAS IN FREEFALL FOR A WHILE SO THE BEST RATE IS AT THIS TIME. FEES WLL BE IN DEMAND IN EARLY JANUARY. ALL IS WELL. TOO MUCH WORK HA BUT NOT COMPLAINING.
WILL SEND A REPORT END OF JANUARY.HOPE ALL IS WELL
CHRISTMAS GREETINGS TO ALL AT OUR LADY HELP OF CHRISTIANS.
THANKS AGAIN FOR THE WONDERFUL BOOK AND THE VERY GENEROUS DONATION. JAN FEB AND MARCH ARE KNOWN AS THE HUNGRY MONTHS WHEN EVERYTHNG IS VERY TIGHT. SO NOT TO HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT SCHOOL FEES IS A REAL BLESSING. WITH GODS BLESSINGS FRANK TAYLOR.
We welcome any new members to the group. Thanks to the committee and to everyone for your continued generous support.

Lindsay Byrnes-
Chairman December 2014

Malawi Support Group Book

 
 
 
This is the cover for the new Book.
 




 

FATHER'S DAY RAFFLE

The Father's Day raffle was a huge success with $658.90 being raised through the ticket sales and some very generous donations. The three lovely prizes were again put together by Group member Una Cardwell and we thank her for their wonderful presentation.

The Group trusts these winners or respective fathers will enjoy their special day on Sunday and wishes to sincerely THANK ALL who participated for their continued support for our Sister Parish.

ST KIZITO CELEBRATION AT OLHC AT ELTHAM

This year $1,821 was raised which ensures vital support can be continued for your sister parish.
A beautiful post card was provided by way of thanks for continuing support and the reverse side is shown below :

 

THE SCHOOL CHILDREN WE SUPPORT

 

 

MOTHERS DAY RAFFLE

This years winners were again delighted and an excellent total of $552 was banked. Our raffles for Mothers and Fathers days, as well as for other special occasions has continued since inception to be  organised and sourced by Una Cardwell. In a similar vein Bernie Murray has always provided the signage.   

AN UPDATE WITH NEWS FROM MALAWI

Thanks to everyone who continue to support our sister parish and I am pleased to report the recent Crazy Whist night continued the tradition of being a great social event, and also raised $357. 

We all enjoyed a supper break during which Fr Franks email was read out, indicating the enormous benefits to the local community made possible by virtue of your generous support. His advice is provided below.

 

We also received some very welcome news from Dyson Ntapara, a St Kizito parishioner who has been a regular correspondent over the years, which I can share with you here. I met Dyson and his wife and Alick when I was in Malawi.

Dear Lindsay,

I hope you are fine and the family is fine too.

I want to give you some good news from our family, our first born son Alick who is in seminary school, his ordination is on the 5th July 2004.

We are busy working out preparations for the big day and his first mass at our home village and his mass at St Kizito.
With prayers we are hopeful he will make it to this day he will be a shepherd in the vineyard. We are fine and St Kizito is doing fine too with Father Taylor busy always developing the parish and looking after the needy.

I hope to hear from you. My greeting to you and your family and the whole congregation.

From Fr Taylor

Dear Lindsay and Malawi Support Group.It is a joy to write to you in this blessed time of lent remembering you all for your great generosity for the poor in Malawi.

Sorry for the delay in writing as it has been a struggle for me with the home tragedy and Fr paddy being unable to return as his eyesight is such that he cannot read now ; macular degeneration in the eye. Glad to report the $A6, 000 generated KW 2,119,482, to provide funds for the following:

·    Assist 32 day pupils at secondary level over 2 terms at a cost of KW   252,000.

·   Third level students with grants of KW455,400

·    Fund 8 student orphans where they learn for fees and the feeding program at a cost KW350,000.

·    Build a wall around our new Nursery School where we have 130 children under 6 years of age at cost of KW450,000.

The total Expenditure amounts to KW1,507,400 to leave a balance of KW612,082 which will be used to pay fees and support the orphans programme up until end of the school year in July. It is difficult to explain the difference all this has made for every student, family and community, it really does change lives. Often I get the thanks but it is you who are the good Samaritans.
Thanks you for all your support.

With GODS blessings to you all.

Kindest Regards Fr Frank