Malawi Support Group 2017 Annual Report

Hi Everyone,

This year due to continuing excellent results inclusive of one very sizable donations we may be able to again remit a creditable amount to Fr Taylor, but that is dependent upon the results of the Christmas raffle. Raffles have continued to contribute significantly to our fund raising despite smaller attendances at Masses.  

 

We did not undertake the Woolworths Barbecue but I think it will be a good idea to aim at mustering sufficient support early on to make this a reality for next year.

 

Your sister parish continues to flourish notwithstanding continuing hardships and this year the Archbishop celebrated St. Kizito Day and Pentecost, with Confirmations for about180 young people and adults. It is a sobering statistic that, according to the World Bank in 2016 the gross national income per capita was only US$320 for Malawi and their currency continues to depreciate. However in the communities we support great progress continues and the very exciting news for this year was a Health Clinic is now operational alongside the church we helped fund at Ntandire. Although Ntandire is regarded as a shantytown is has shown a remarkable resilience.  Since establishing their own church from 2009, a rental property to generate funds for the needy, a nursery school, vegetable gardens and more recently additions to the primary school have been completed.   

   

The clinic is managed by the MEDICAL MISSIONARIES OF MARY (MMM) and according to Fr Taylor it is running very well and the people are overjoyed with the services. A small fee is charged to help pay the salaries and provide the drugs but Fr Taylor informs us he expects the Government will soon provide the salaries. Alongside the Church is the school and 3 classrooms were added this year to ensure it is a fully-fledged primary school to year 8. Fr Taylor also tells us your funding for the scholarships makes a huge impact and frees him from the worry of having to turn students away from getting a good education.

 

The students we support come from many different schools; 10 orphans from each of our 2 schools St. Bakhita and St. Michaels,  one from the Catholic University, one from St Paul’s Minor Seminary, three from Mua school of the deaf, two from Lilongwe technical college, one from medical school, three from Njewa secondary school, three from Mkwichi secondary school and various other assistances.

 

We had suggested this year to Fr Taylor we would be interested in supporting a Solar Lamps Project and he has indicated he thinks the project is viable but will require further preparation before he can launch it. We can follow up on this possibility next year.

 

This year he also undertook a major building project in order to secure the future financial stability of the parish. He completed 2 small apartments for rent at St Kizito as well as renovating the parish house where he resides.

 

Thanks once again to everyone for your kind support which enables the great work of Fr Taylor to continue as you can readily ascertain.  

We were pleased to welcome a new member into the group in November.   

 

Currently the Australian Dollar converts at the rate of 1 Australian dollar to 556 Malawian Kwacha so our contribution continues to go a long way.