Malawi Support Group

Annual Report 2011

2011-12-01T14:39:00.000-08:00

Malawi Support Group Annual Report 2011

On behalf of the committee I am pleased to report another excellent year in fundraising. Once again we received very generous donations and continued on with the theme of fundraising independent of the parish with the sausage sizzle at Bunnings a major contributor. The celebrating of St Kizito's feast day gave us the opportunity to present the CD to the parish which has resulted in generous donations. We also made a presentation to OLHC schoolchildren preparing for confirmation who submitted drawings afterwards for later judging. This was very successful in providing future interest from the children and the school.

Extension of the support to our sister parish.
Our fundraiser continues to support the children attending the Catholic School of Mt Silize (40 of whom are orphans) for their daily school breakfast, the nursery school at Ntandire and school books and fees. Fr Taylor informed us in his letter ‘The feedings programme at Ntandire and Mtsiliza for the children is going on well and breakfast is provided for over 200 children during the week. It encourages the parents to send their children to school. Also the school fees for the children attending secondary school is a real blessing. This term I paid school fees for 35 boys and girls. They are so happy to be going to school. Some do very well, others poorly but all are grateful to have time at school.’

Activities this year
• Our Crazy Whist night held in the gathering area continues to be an enjoyable social event.
• The Bunnings BBQ was a great success as a consequence of good planning and hard work.
• Raffles continue to provide very good outcomes in terms of funds raised and in the delight of ‘winners’.
• Donations continue to blossom and the collection this year in conjunction with presentations to the parishioners were indicative of the generosity of parishioners.
• The Theatre night ‘Private Lives’ was superb entertainment supplemented with further donations.
• On Saturday 5th November we were again entertained and danced to the wonderful music of the "The Degenerates" who donated their services for yet another dinner dance and we look forward to the event continuing on again next year. Our hall resplendent in streamers and balloons in Malawi colours was a catalyst to engendering a real party atmosphere. It turned out to be a relaxing enjoyable night where the band members and their families all joined in together. Each person contributed to the supper shared on a common table. Whilst only 28 tickets were sold at $10 to total $280 the total raised was $1090 due to unexpected donations on the night and beforehand.

Once again I would like to thank everyone for support throughout the year and to those who individually recently gave very generous donations. A little money goes a long way and your generosity makes possible many projects that otherwise would not happen for these very poor yet burgeoning joyful communities.
The warm heart of Africa says thank you.

Greetings from Ireland from Fr Taylor

2011-06-12T18:16:00.000-07:00

Greetings from Ireland. I have just arrived home. No place like home! I will return to Malawi on 20th July. I need the rest! - But also just to get way from activity and play some golf.
St Kizito’s is doing fine.
I am sending you the photos of the 2 classrooms we have built for the children at the nursery school at Ntandire, ‘Out Lady Help of Christians Marie Mthandiza wa Akhristu’. It can also be used for meetings, choir practice etc. I used some of your money for chairs and tables. It has folding doors so the rooms can be used for larger meetings. My nephew in the USA sent me $5,000 for bulding – I will visit him next week
The feedings programme at Ntandire and Mtsiliza for the children is going on well and breakfast is provided for over 200 children during the week. It encourages the parents to send their children to school. Also the school fees for the children attending secondary school is a real blessing. This term I paid school fees for 35 boys and girls. They are so happy to be going to school. Some do very well, others poorly but all are grateful to have time at school. The photos are not great! I am also sending the negatives,
With kind regards and blessings to the Malawi Support Group
Fr Frank

Update from Malawi

2011-06-07T07:09:00.001-07:00

The Video below ...

The pictures in the clip is of the school children in Malawi and the opening ceremony for the new church where children were being confirmed which I attended when I was last in Malawi. You can hear their joyful singing later on in the clip. This clip was shown to supplement a talk given with another member of the Malawi Support group to our local school children preparing for their communion. At the end of the talks we handed out paper for the students to draw a picture about life in Malawi and the best 3 pictures are to receive prizes.

We were delighted with the large number of questions afterwards combined with obvious enthusiasm and courteous attention by all of the boys and girls. A few points to the talk are as follows:

Ntandire compared to here
Our school here is about the same size as the catholic school that we support in Malawi depicted in the clip- the pictures show children at school. The teachers there spend time each morning making breakfast for all the scholchdren; a mixture of maize soy and sugar to ensure nobody is hungry. As you can see in the clip they have similar classrooms but not the facilities. When the students go home it might be to a small house or village with huts made of mud brick with thatched roofs.

Early beginnings over 30 years ago

From inception the best way to help was thought to find people willing to become leaders of communities, to help in the building of churches schools and communities. Earlier on the current priest was hijacked and shot on his way back to the airport and only just survived this attack. When that happened he felt a peaceful spirit wash over telling him that everything would be okay and that feeling of fearlessness has never left him. Today 47 communities have blossomed under his stewardship.

Today these 47 communities covering 12 000 parishioners all help one another. Each has chairmen, a secretary and treasurer and many have constructed small properties which they can rent out to provide a pool of funds to help people in need. Each community takes responsibility for their people to ensure every person keeps their own medical records so that if they need to go to hospital they will have record of prior treatment. You can see their joy in the video of the church opening at Ntandire. Last year the first lady (wife of the president) visited this area and was impressed with the community spirit and all of the work being undertaken.

Malawi is the warm heart of Africa
Malawi is often known as the warm heart of Africa because the people are very warm and friendly and I did not encounter a single rude Malawian the whole time that was over there. Most Malawians live with their extended families in huts grouped together in villages. A spirit of neighborliness’ and sharing dominate their existence.

The support group has helped these communities over the past 10 years in number of different ways: to renew two churches, build accommodation for AIDS sufferers, erect classroom shelters, electrify school buildings, build a security wall, provide funds for seeds and fund the church at Ntandire. More recently we are providing sustenance for all of the schoolchildren, scholarships for education and school fees for those who canot afford them

The community at Ntandire has just finished building a kitchen in the nursery school from a gift of ceramic stoves which cuts down on the wood used by more than 50%. .The woman there started the nursery school with over 100 children who are also fed 3 times a week and take turns to teach and cook on a voluntary basis. The school fees project we fund and the funding of the children for both places are going very well and we look forward to seeing even more new leaders emerge. Soon will come the time when we see the last of the missionaries needed as these vibrant communities become self sufficient. That day is fast approaching.
Whilst in Africa I listened to many people’s stories, including that of a grandmother, whose experience was typical of many in their community in terms of church, faith and children. It wasn’t until later that I learned that her husband had died the previous year from HIV/AIDS. She was also infected and acknowledged her past sorrow, but lived a joyful existence. She had let go of her physical suffering and, by focusing on the spiritual, transcended her past sorrow for present joy. While we have great concern for her and the many others, including orphans, who carry a heavy burden through no fault of their own, their joyful spirits, unimpeded by the severe material hardships they endure, remain a true testament to their faith

Snapshot of Malawi

Malawi, situated in southeastern Africa has a population of nearly 15 million and was first a British protectorate of Nyasaland in 1891 and became independent n 1964. The current President Mutharika won a second term in 2009 and has helped the country progress with agricultural reform with assistance in fertilizers and better methods for farming. The country borders Mozambique Tanzia and Zambia and is one of least developed countries in the world heavily dependent on agriculture with about 90% of the population living in rural areas
Malawi's climate is tropical with a rainy season from November to April. The country is dominated by Lake Malawi which drains into the Zambezi river through the Shire River.
The May 2009 presidential and parliamentary elections were declared free and peaceful giving President Bingu wa Mutharika and the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) a mandate for a second term of office. Women won 21% of the seats, increasing their representation by 50% from the 2004 to 2009 Parliament.

Special Equipment for Malawian Cooking
The Malawian cooking methods are basic ones and you don’t need any special equipment to cook any of the dishes in the Malawi cuisine. Your everyday cooking pots and pans are enough to cook a complete Malawian meal. However, if you want a true Malawian food experience, you should know that cooking is still done the traditional way in Malawi. In the vast majority of Malawian homes, food is cooked over a wood fire using a tripod made of three supporting stones. Women (and children helpers) are responsible for everything concerning the food from market shopping to dish washing. As Nshima is eaten with the hands, everyone washes in a communal bowl before and after the meal. Many Malawians have mud stoves outside of the house, where they cook bread.
St Kizito

Friday 3rd June was the feast day for st kizito - the boy martyr who was burned to death along with 25 others for failing to renounce his faith and submit to the King of Uganda back in 1886. Today his spirit lives on in the warm heart of Africa

Annual Report 2010

2011-01-30T01:11:00.000-08:00

Introduction

On behalf of the committee I am pleased to report another successful year's fundraising which was helped by some very generous donations and fundraising independent of the parish in relation to the sausage sizzle at Bunning’s. What we missed out on this year was in celebrating St Kizito's feast day which we need to earmark for next year. We also saw our article published in St Patrick’s Mission’s publication which was of delight to Fr Taylor.

Extension of the support to our sister parish.

Our fundraiser has now been extended to not only support the 300 children attending the Catholic School of Mt Silize (40 of which are orphans) for their daily school breakfast, school books, and school fees and to allow 15 boys and girls to attend secondary and post secondary school but also now to Ntandire. At Ntandire the woman of the Church have started a nursery school with over 100 children who are fed 3 times a week.

Activities this year
Our Crazy Whist held in the gathering area continues to be an enjoyable social event.

The Bunning’s BBQ was a great success as a consequence of good planning and hard work. The Theatre night ‘Murder is Announced’ was great entertainment supplemented with further donations.

We were entertained in the previous year end and danced to the wonderful music of the "The Degenerates" who donated their services for a sixties dinner dance and we look forward to the event again this year

Once again thanks to everyone for a splendid result.

Malawi dinner dance to the tune of the “Degenerates”

2010-11-25T03:11:00.000-08:00

We held another Fundraiser last Saturday when we were entertained and danced to the wonderful music of the "The Degenerates" who donated their services for our dinner dance.
A total of $773 was raised inclusive of the raffle, ticket sales and donations. What a pity more parishioners were not able to attend this most enjoyable night of music from a marvelous band whose performance seems to become more polished each year.

However the MALAWI SUPPORT GROUP wish to thank the few parishioners who attended and enjoyed a range of music from Christmas carols to Abba and a host of other fantastic dance numbers where a well known parishioner couple really showed their prowess. A few people even enjoyed the evening by just sitting, watching and tapping their feet to the playing and singing by the talented group.
Thankfully the numbers were made up on the night by a band member who is also a Malawi support member bringing along a large group of family and friends along that brought the ticket sales up to a total of $310. A door prize of chocolates and a bottle of wine was won by one of the visiting supporters.
A number of parishioners who could not attend made donations towards the function and these were even added to by others on the night that gave an amazing total of $320 worth of donations for the benefit of our Sister Parish. Thank you so much to all who contributed in this way.
A raffle was run on the night for the great prize of a $100 account that was donated by the manager of the Catholic Development Fund. This raffle raised the amount of $143 that brought the total raised from the function to $773.
Thank you again to all who continue to support the Group in it‟s work

Malawi dinner dance to the tune of the “Degenerates”

2010-11-25T03:06:00.000-08:00

Letter from Fr. Taylor

2010-10-25T20:03:00.000-07:00

Dear Lindsay & Malawi Support Group,

I am promising when I get free I will learn the computer skills!

At this time I was giving a retreat to sisters and nice to get a break from the buildings.

The wall around the church at Ntandire is progressing. The Christians are building it up to 2.5 metres. They finished building a kitchen since they received a gift of ceramic stoves to cut down on the wood used by more than 50%. .The woman of the Church have started a nursery school with over 100 children. They are fed 3 times a week. In 2011 I will build 2 classrooms for babies and high babies. The women take turns to teach and cook on a voluntary basis – fantastic! The school fees project and the funding of the children for both places are going very well.

We have started the new academic year and I have a balance of $500 which will start some of the new students and also pay for the existing ones who haven’t finished. I do have a list of the students and how much they receive. I‘m sure I should send it to you by email sometime. I will recruit someone to help me. We are having a visit from the ‘First Lady’ on the 23rd October, so the women are busy for the festival. Thanks for your letter and photo. Enjoy life while you can. Once again a huge thanks for your support. Kind regards. Francis Taylor

Bunnings sausage sizzle

2010-08-06T05:17:00.000-07:00

Suasage sizzle at Bunnings

2010-08-06T05:11:00.000-07:00

On the 31st July the Malawi Support Group and very able volunteers manned the sausage sizzle at Bunning’s to raise money for the first time outside of church and parishioner related activities; their efforts proved most successful with well over a thousand dollars raised reflecting excellent prior planning, good team work with facilities provided by Bunning’s.

At the end of the day only 5 sausages remained from the 78 kg of sausages purchased.

This fundraiser complements others and donations, all of which are crucial to the feeding programme and assistance for the 300 children attending the Catholic School of Mt Silize. The children– 40 of which are orphans are reliant entirely on our funding for their daily school breakfast, school books, school fees and to allow 15 boys and girls to attend secondary and post secondary school.

letter from Fr Taylor.

2010-05-27T04:12:00.000-07:00

Dear Lindsay and the Malawi Support Group,

Greetings from Malawi. Your continuous generosity to support the children and schoolgoers is a constant source of wonder to us in these difficult times. It gives us strength to continue the Lord’s work in caring for his poor ones.
I received your most generous donation of $3,500 on 29th March. It enables us to continue the feeding programme for the 300 children, including 40
orphans, buy school books and pay school fees for 15 boys and girls who go to secondary and post secondary school. Thank you all for your
generosity. With God’s blessings
Fr. Francis Taylor.

Mt Silize Catholic School children enjoying breakfast

2010-03-27T02:53:00.000-07:00

Mt Silize Catholic School children enjoying breakfast

2010-03-27T02:51:00.000-07:00

Mt Silize Catholic School children

2010-03-27T02:49:00.000-07:00

Annual Report 2009

2009-11-10T18:09:00.000-08:00

On behalf of the committee I am pleased to report another splendid year's fundraising which was only marginally below previous years helped by some very generous donations.

This year our funding as previously outlined is directed towards humanitarian type projects identified and confirmed with Fr Taylor whilst I was in Malawi.

Activities this year

Our Crazy Whist night was again held in the hall and continues to be an enjoyable social event.

We were entertained and danced to the wonderful music of the "The Degenerates" who donated their services for a sixties dinner dance.

A presentation luncheon serving Malawian cuisine in the gathering area afforded the opportunity to expand on aspects of my Malawian visit.

Our theatre night continues to be an ejoyable experience and this year’s comedy play's performance was outstanding albeit our attendance numbers continue to fall.

Raffles continue to be popular successful fundraisers.

At our AGM current office bearers confirmed their continuance for the 2010 year.

The warm heart of Africa

2009-10-16T19:13:00.000-07:00

The catholic journal Kairos has published an article on page 16 of the 19th edition for the period 18th -30th October entitled “The warm heart of Africa” which can be viewed by clicking on the heading or the link.

Presentation luncheon to OLHC – Eltham

2009-09-01T17:33:00.000-07:00

I gave another more comprehensive presentation on the 15th August 2009 -with the help of a DVD - which had been kindly put together for me- about my visit to Malawi. The presentation was followed by a lunch prepared by the support group members with the emphasis on Malawian flavours. Those who attended gave generous donations. One member – by courtesy of Wikipedia- also presented his research findings about Malawian food just before we sampled all of the delicious dishes. His presentation is listed below for those who may be interested:

Malawian Food

Despite its natural riches, Malawi remains a very poor country. In this little country most people are subsistence farmers. This means they grow most of their own food in small gardens. If a family has extra food, they take it to market to trade for other necessities. Malawi cuisine has remained largely free of culinary influences from the outside world, until the late 19th century, with the exception of the use of cassava, Peanut, and chilli pepper plants which arrived along with the slave trade during the early 1500s. These foodstuffs have had a large influence on the local cuisine, but less on the preparation methods. Malawi cooking has remained mostly traditional. The staple food in Malawi is Nsima (which is the Malawian equivalent of Zambian Nshima and is made either from cornmeal, maize or ground, dried, cassava.) Nsima is a thick porridge that can be moulded into patties and served with either beans, meat, or vegetables collectively called Ndiwo. Other Malawian dishes are prepared with rice, cassava or potatoes. However, the keystone of any traditional Malawian meal is starch; the relish is a secondary element intended to give flavour to the food. Because the Malawi people have always been farmers, this meal is highly regarded because it gives the necessary energy to work in the field all day.

So all over Malawi, the meal is composed of two main dishes: the starch (Nsima) and the relish (Ndiwo). While the recipe for starch is mostly the same all over Malawi, the relish is very different from region to region. In the east of Malawi, it is made mostly from vegetables, as meat is expensive and most people can’t afford it. The basic ingredients in this region are rice and foutou (massed plantain and cassava) and fufu (fermented cassava). A variety of local ingredients are used while preparing other dishes like spinach stew, cooked with tomato, peppers, chillies, onions and Peanut butter. Cassava (manioc) plants are also consumed as green salad. A traditional recipe for the basic vegetable Ndiwo includes Onion, tomatoes and green vegetables, especially cassava.

The Malawi Lake, located in the eastern regions of Malawi, is a great source of various types of Fish. The main types are Chambo, Mlamba (Catfish), Usipa, and Kampango. The people that live around the lake use the fish to cook delicious relishes and other foods. A traditional Ndiwo made from fish is the Curried Chambo fish. The main ingredients for this dish are: fish fillets, lemon juice, flour, onions, curry powder, fruit chutney and carrots. Chambo (Tilapia fish) is the country’s speciality and the main lake delicacy. Another traditional food is Wali wa samaki, made from salmon, vermicelli, Onion, carrots, rice and seasonings.

In Malawian cuisine there are some exotic recipes based on insects. These dishes have different preparation methods than other dishes. Ana a Njuchi (wild bee larvae) are dried and then fried with salt and dried again. They are served as a relish or appetizer. To cook bwamnoni (large green bush crickets) you have to remove wings and horned part of legs. After that, boil them in water for five minutes, then dry in the sun. Fry with a little salt and a little fat if desired. This dish is served as an Ndiwo relish. The nsensenya (shield bugs) are washed and fried with a little salt until they are brown and also served as a relish.

Special Equipment for Malawian Cooking

The Malawian cooking methods are basic ones and you don’t need any special equipment to cook any of the dishes in the Malawi cuisine. Your everyday cooking pots and pans are enough to cook a complete Malawian meal. However, if you want a true Malawian food experience, you should know that cooking is still done the traditional way in Malawi. In the vast majority of Malawian homes, food is cooked over a wood fire using a tripod made of three supporting stones. Women (and children helpers) are responsible for everything concerning the food from market shopping to dish washing. As Nshima is eaten with the hands, everyone washes in a communal bowl before and after the meal. Many Malawians have mud stoves outside of the house, where they cook bread. Since Nshima and Ndiwo are the essential elements of the Malawian cuisine, there are some special tools used when cooking these dishes. One of these tools is mthiko, the cooking stick that is specially made for cooking Nshima and Ndiwo.

Leaving Ntandire celebrations and relaxing at Lake Malawi

2009-06-25T17:00:00.000-07:00

Immediately above is Dyson and above myself with Fr Taylor and Dyson's son Alex relaxing at beautiful Lake Malawi.

speeches at Ntandire

2009-06-25T03:27:00.000-07:00

Above seated with Peter - Chairman of the parish council and Fyness

Ntandire celebrations

2009-06-25T03:26:00.000-07:00

The gift of a goat for Fr Taylor and crucifix for OLHC .

Ntandire celebrations

2009-06-25T03:25:00.000-07:00

The celebrations in the church and later outside with the gift of a goat.

PIctures at Ntandire during the celebration

2009-06-25T03:24:00.000-07:00

Myself with parishioners, Dyson and wife Fyness

Singing - joyous sounds heard whilst in Malawi

2009-06-17T00:11:00.000-07:00

St Kizito choir rehearsals. At all of the Masses and within the christian communities singing is an integral and beautiful part of the ceremonies.

Enjoying Lake Malawi

2009-06-16T21:37:00.000-07:00

Fr Taylor, myself and Dyson relaxing on the shores of Lake Malawi.

Ntandire Mass/ Festivities when in Malawi

2009-06-16T21:35:00.000-07:00

Ntandire celebration Mass /Festivities when in Malawi

2009-06-16T21:33:00.000-07:00

The last picture shows Dyson and his wife Fyness.

Driving in Ntandire township in Malawi

2009-06-16T21:31:00.000-07:00

Outside Ntandire church whilst in Malawi

2009-06-16T21:28:00.000-07:00

Outside Ntandire church with parishioners and seated beside Silvester

Mt Silize street scene and Catholic School children taken while in Malawi

2009-06-16T21:25:00.000-07:00

Fr Taylor and parish house orchard taken while in Malawi

2009-06-16T21:22:00.000-07:00

Outer parish and village elders taken whilst in Malawi

2009-06-16T21:18:00.000-07:00

new bulding funded for women's gaol, myself & Fr Taylor & another outer parish

2009-06-16T21:13:00.000-07:00

St Kizito Christian Community- picture taken whilst in Malawi

2009-06-16T21:02:00.000-07:00

The above pictures are from one of the christian community meetings in a house within the St Kizitio parish. There are 47 weekly christian community meetings in alternative houses within the 5 parishes serviced by Fr Taylor.

Pictures from my Malawi visit

2009-06-16T20:52:00.000-07:00

The above pictures are of local stalls near St Kizito. Above is the altar at St Kizito.

Pictures from my Malawi visit

2009-06-16T20:42:00.000-07:00

Pictures are taken on the way in from the airport, the landscape, Fr Paddy Hagan, the parish house and locals repairing the road hoping for some small reward from passing motorists.

Hello from Africa

2009-05-20T21:16:00.000-07:00

Wherever I travel am greeted with “Welcome Home”; an acknowledgement I am considered to have returned to my home – Africa the cradle of civilisation ! Stopping over at Joberg I was shown the sights by my guide ; Mandela square; monuments to gold mining, historic buildings, and a 360 degree view from 50 floors above. New developments are shooting up like green sprouts to change the once very dangerous city to make it much more fiendly.

Once I was in Lilongwe, the capital of Malawi I visited many of the christen communities that make up the extended 5 parishes, the local gaol, the Catholic school at Mt Sirize and a government school which has 5000 students. I also listened to numerous stories from the locals. The parish is made up of about 12,000 split into 5 churches : St Kizito, Gabriella , Philomenia, Mt Sirize and St Andrea.

Each church is further split into christen communities of which there are 47 in total. St Kizito has 13.I have confirmed a funding project with the sister headmistress at Mt Silize which will involve daily breakfast for 300 children, made up of a mixture of maize, soya and sugar which will enable at least one meal per day to ensure the children are not hungry and malnourished; who are then are able to concentrate on their schoolwork. I also confirmed we are able to sponsor 15 children for secondary education.

Fr Frank and Fr Patrick O' Hagan looked after me very well. Fr Paddy looks after the orchard so I enjoyed some wonderful fruits at breakfast. I jokingly told Fr Frank he has concrete flowing in his veins and not blood since he is constantly involved in building projects for the communities. He even also recently completed a shelter for the gaol, using labour from within and increasing their skills. At the gaol I mistook an inmates for an official. He thought it was hilarious as he was serving a 16 year sentence. The over crowing was unbelievable, 2,126 men in such a small space they scarcely have room to walk around. But there are only 56 women, a measure of the dispropotionate amount of crime committed by men.
The new church and hall looks beautiful yet simple and welcoming. It would accommodate 1000 people at a push. Fr Taylor has also built another small building alongside from a donation he received from the wife of the Irish Ambassador which will be rented be provide income for the Ntandire community.

Wherever I went I was greeted by 50- 60 children who are fascinated to see you and people are all genuinely pleasant and welcoming. The trip was very good so far except for my back which gave me so curry

The celebration at Ntandire was a great success filled with joyous music to accompany the 3 hour Mass presided over by the Bishop and in the afternoon festivities continued with traditional dances, a play and comedy sketch. There were nearly 1000 people packed into the church and afterwards the numbers swelled to what I gauge to be 3000; a very attentive sea of teeming friendly faces. Afterwards I gave a radio interview with the very popular Catholic radio station, whose ratings exceed the commercial stations.

Earlier, on the way, as we lurched along the red dusty pot holed road, people were waving and greeting us (in the normal friendly way synonymous of the poorer areas of Malawi) when a rare motorist suddenly pulled out in front of us and we narrowly avoided an accident. The drivers there are shocking and rarely give any signals, but even when they do it’s likely to be incorrect. The previous day an ambulance spilled into a group of people rushing to receive free voter sponsored T shirts killing 8. They are also fond of road blocks and we have been occasionally stopped by the army or police to check where we are coming from and our destination. The officers however are always friendly.After numerous thank you's and an endless procession of gifts to Fr Taylor- goats, chickens -and speeches it was time to say goodbye. I asked FR Taylor to cut a section of the cloth I received and together with the hand carved crucifix for OLHC, post it off to me in mid june when I’m back. We left with such a crowd of people following the car you could barely see the road and we crawled along at 1 km an hour until we could eventually break clear when the red dust gave way to a wider section.On the following Monday we travelled to Lake Malawi which is very beautiful and I enjoyed the warm clear water with Fr Taylor, Dyson and his son Felix. A long way off were crocodiles and hippo’s.

The Degenerates

2009-05-09T07:15:00.000-07:00

We held another Fundraiser this Saturday when we were entertained and danced to the wonderful music of the "The Degenerates" who donated their services for the sixties dinner dance.

Crazy Whist

2009-03-26T21:53:00.000-07:00

MALAWI GROUP wish to thank everyone for their attendance and donation support to the GREAT NIGHT (Crazy Whist) held in the hall last Saturday which raised $600.00.
It was such an enjoyable social event that some people have suggested we run another one later in the year.
Raffle winners on the night were: - Beth Morganti won a basket of goodies Monica Dewhurst won a fruit basket
Various small leader prizes were given out during the night

MALAWI SUPPORT GROUP-Annual Report

2008-12-08T19:54:00.000-08:00

December 2008

On behalf of the committee I am pleased to report that we are again delighted with the level of generosity within the parish.

The year began on a very positive note with a letter of thanks from Fr F Taylor informing us our last remittance was used to facilitate flooring and plastering at the new church / hall at Natandire. He told us the Christians were very happy in their new church. The work is now almost complete and we were delighted to learn the new church has been named ‘Our Lady Help of Christians’. The church is to be consecrated next year in May 2009 and I have accepted their invitation to attend. Any members are also welcome to attend. You can view pictures of the new church on the Malawi notice board in the gathering area of the church or by visiting our website at http://malawisupportgroup.blogspot.com

Next year will involve a significant change in our funding support to embrace humanitarian type projects rather than our previous focus on desperately needed community building works. Any donations parishioners may care to make to these important projects will make an enormous difference to the lives and outcomes of our extended parish family, in these outlying impoverished areas of Mt Siriza and Ntandire. Please see our treasurer Bernie Murray if you would like to make a donation.

The two projects that Fr Taylor has designated for us to help fund in 2009 are as follows.

- Paying school fees for orphans in primary and secondary schools for the areas of
Mtsiriza and Ntandire.

- Assisting feeding 6o nursery school children for Mtsiriza
The Nursery is run by Mtsiriza Church.

Activities this year

This year we conducted a Crazy whist fundraiser card night which was enjoyed by everyone, including many who had not previously played who learnt to play for the first time. The night raised $700.

Our theatre night continues to be succesful and we enjoyed the hilarious comedy written by Alan Ayckbourn entitled Absurd Person Singular.
The theatre was fully booked and we raised just under $1600 including proceeds from the raffle. In attendance were students from La Trobe University who were all from the Ithaca campus of Cornell University in NY and were over here for a semester to study Australian history. They all enjoyed there local cultural experience.

Raffles as always have also been very successful.

At our AGM current office bearers confirmed they continuance for the 2009 year.

First rains cause havoc

2008-12-08T19:46:00.000-08:00

Last Sunday the 23rd Nov 2008 Lilonge experienced its' first rains for the season and some poeple may start planting maize. Unfortunately the rains caused damage to property, including the Ntandire Church and School which takes os all of children from the area. Rectification work has already begun.

50th Anniversary

2008-09-26T23:52:00.000-07:00

Photos from the top show: Lunch in the hall, Art competition displays in the school and a commemorative tree planted in front of the Church.

Parish 50th Anniversary

2008-09-26T23:39:00.000-07:00

The above photos depict (from top) Our Lady's statue, Stained Glass window, Concelebrants Fr Kevin (left), Bishop Costelloe & Fr Barry and combined Parish Choir with school children.

Fr Taylor back in Malawi

2008-08-29T06:18:00.001-07:00

ST Kizito Parish

27th Aug 2008.

Dear Friends of St Kizito,

I arrived back in Malawi in early August and was delighted to see the progress the Christians had made in Ntandire. They put in glass in all the windows, fixed most of the seats, built toilets for both men and women. They also managed to increase the size of the plot.
In their discussions they proposed the name of the church ‘Our Lady Help of Christians’.

Our hope is to invite the Bishop to bless the Church next year 2009. It would be after Easter sometime. We will also bless the new hall at St Kizito on 3rd June 2009 or nearest Sunday.

Thank you again for all your prayers and support.

God Bless.

Fr Francis Taylor.

Inside the new church at Ntandire

2008-08-29T06:05:00.000-07:00

Ntandire outbuldings takes shape

2008-08-29T05:56:00.000-07:00

A toilet block has been completed and more land purchsed.

Theatre Night

2008-05-20T00:51:00.000-07:00

The Malawi Support Group recently held a very succesful fundraising theatre night to see the hilarious comedy written by Alan Ayckbourn entitled Absurd person singular.

The theatre was fully booked and we raised just under $1600 including proceeds from the raffle pictured above.

Students attend Malawi Theatre Night

2008-05-19T04:35:00.000-07:00

In attendance at our Malawi Theatre night were students from La Trobe University who were all from the Ithaca campus of Cornell University in NY and are over here for a semester to study Australian history for a term under the guidance of parishier John, pictured with his wife above.

John lectures in the humanities faculty and decided it would be of benefit to them to experience some local culture and consequently they enjoyed the show and our hospitality afterwards.

Crazy Whist Night

2008-03-16T21:42:00.000-07:00

Last evening on the 15th March we conducted a Malawi Crazy Whist fundraiser card night which was enjoyed by everyone, including many who had not previously played and learnt to play for the first time. We had a practice session beforehand. We provided prizes for those with the highest points (although you play in pairs each person keeps a score sheet).In Crazy Whist winners after each hand is completed move to the nearest adjacent table whilst losers remain. However no one remains in the same position as you’re constantly playing againt different partners. Losers will eventually be dealt an unbeatable hand and become winners; also pairing against other winners of varying abilities ensures it all evens itself out after several hands.We provided 7 prizes, for the best 5 scores and to add interest for the worst 2 for being such good sports.The night raised $700.

Malawi News

2008-01-31T00:45:00.000-08:00

Fr F Taylor has sent us a letter of thanks and informing us our last remittance was used to facilitate flooring and plastering. We were overjoyed to hear the christians were very happy in their new church. Work remaining is to paint the walls, install windows, seating and outside tiolets.

Dyson informs us the rainy season for Malawi has brought good falls and the crops are doing fine but in some cases the rains have washed away fertilizers and no yield is expected.

Above is a photo of his family taken during the Christmas Holiday when all of his four children were available. His wife is a primary school teacher currently heading a new school, just a kilometre from the Ntandire Church/Hall shown in the first 2 photos. This is a populous area and that is why one class can have over 100 pupils as you can see from the photo of the children.

Ntandire Church/ hall inside

2008-01-31T00:22:00.000-08:00

Here are photos taken mid January 2008 inside showing Christmas decorations.

Final year end fund raiser`Social night courtesy of the "The Degenerates"

2007-12-13T03:39:00.000-08:00

We held our final Fundraiser last Saturday 8th December, when we sang Carols and were entertained and danced to the wonderful music of the "The Degenerates" who donated their services for the evening.

A toal of $1,380 was raised in ticket sales and from the raffle. In November further funds of $170 were raised from an entertaining evening presented by the various musical groups in the parish.

Ntandire Church/Hall nears completion

2007-11-12T15:40:00.000-08:00

Here are some photos taken on the 11th November 2007 by Dyson . The roof and the doors are in place. With the rains expected anytime this will provide a good place for Sunday Services.

Ntandire Church Roof Takes shape

2007-09-24T17:26:00.000-07:00

The project is proceeding well with the roof near completion.

Sat 15th September 2007 Dyson took some photos of the Ntandire Church/Hall at the end of timber work for the roof which was the day iron sheets were being placed on the roof. Some photos show Sat Sacrament Classes ( Called Tili Tonse ) for the young ones who are to start receiving some some Sacrament.

More photos will posted once the roofing has finished.

Ntandire Roof takes shape

2007-09-24T17:21:00.000-07:00

The roof is near completion.

Photos taken on Sat 15th September 2007 show the Ntandire Church/Hall at the end of timber work in preparation for the iron sheets on the roof. Sat Sacrament Classes ( Called Tili Tonse ) were held for the young ones who are to start receiving some some Sacrament.

Fundraiser 'Stepping Out" Eltham Little Theatre & Fathers day raffle

2007-08-23T18:00:00.000-07:00

Malawi members Pat Croft-Theatre Ticket sales with Lindsay Byrnes.

We need to raise another $2000-$3000 for the roof and fittings of the church and hall at Ntandire and hence are looking for good support for the Eltham Little Theatre night on Friday 31st August and the Father’s Day raffle to try and complete this project.

To date we have only just covered costs, that is the initial payment to Eltham Little theatre so if you of haven't already either bought tickets or raffle tickets please take the opportunity next week

Fr Barry ~40 years as a priest-

2007-07-28T19:11:00.000-07:00

Pictures of the Crucifix and letter sent by Fr Fancis Taylor on behalf of St Kizito and presented to him during the celebratory mass of the 22 July 2007. Another of lindsay with Fr Barry with the Crucifix and letter after the Mass. Immeadiately above is Peter introducing further speakers and presentations in the hall.

Fr Barry -40 years as a priest

2007-07-28T19:03:00.000-07:00

Ntandire church and hall takes shape

2007-07-17T05:48:00.000-07:00

The first photo depicts Fr Frank Taylor with 2 seminarians. Below is Dyson Ntapara with Fr Frank and a seminarian taken just before the first mass celebration. Further photo is of the partially completed building.

Ntandire Church & Hall takes shape

2007-07-17T04:09:00.000-07:00

Ntandire Buiding Committee

2007-07-16T00:59:00.000-07:00

A meeting of the committee with Fr Tayor to discuss progress.

Malawi Update

2007-05-19T22:29:00.000-07:00

On behalf of the committee and your sister parish thanks to everyone for all of your continued generous support. Thanks also to our school community contributing close to $400 of a total of $1100 from the recent raffle.

I recently asked St Kizito parishioner Dyson Ntapara who works in the Reserve Bank at Malawi about current general conditions in the country. He told me the warm heart of Malawi continues to bleed with the major problem of continuing AIDS deaths and sickness resulting in a growing number of orphans.

More and more elderly people look after very young children.

Malawi is a very poor country without mineral resources, reliant on subsistence agriculture although it has embarked recently on a number of agricultural development programs. In the past when the maze crop failed we assisted with funds for food and to buy new seed. It was pleasing to hear from Dyson that this years harvest has been excellent, so that past stocks could be exported to Zimbabwe.

The principal exports are tobacco, tea, sugar and coffee and for the first time in 10 years the tobacco crop is fetching good prices. St Kizito is in Lilongwe, the capital city of Malawi and St Kizito assists many outlying communities, particularly at Mtsiriza and Katsiyafumbi. In Mtsiriza and Kasiyafumbi the population is growing and a substation of Ntandire has been established as part of Mtsiriza.

Our current project is to fund a new Church/ Hall at Ntandire.

Building work is progressing very well. More work has been completed since the photo below was taken and Fr Frank Taylor has informed us the are currently putting on the ring beam and hope soon to buy the timbers for the roof at a cost of US$1500.00 which includes labour for erecting the roof beams. The roofing sheets will cost US$ 5000.00.

The Parish hall at St Kizito is much more expensive and so far they have dug the foundations only. They are applying to the European Union for a 75% grant for ‘community hall’ and it may cost US$150,000.00.

Fr Frank Taylors latest advice is : “ With Ntandire when we get the roof on we can use it as Mass Centre and Community hall without plaster/paint/furniture – those are luxuries for the time being! Our aim is to open the church for Dec 07.”

He has been away for the month due to various members of his family sick in Ireland. Please remember them in your prayers.

St Kizito parishioners and members from their community including sisters from Zambia walked to Mt Sirza and then to Ntandire for a celebratory service held on Good Friday. Pictures of the walk and building works are displayed below.

The Feast day of St Kizito (3rd June) will be celebrated at respective masses for the weekends of the 26th and 27th May held jointly with Our Lady Help of Christians. Respective flags will be draped over the alter, a special prayer read out as composed by medical missionary Sr Mary Doonan and a DVD viewed as created by Angela Vines, which will be sent to your sister parish.

We end each Malawi Meeting now with that same prayer, reproduced here:

O God you called Mary to be the Mother of Jesus. Mary, our Mother also knew what it was to live as daughter wife and friend on this earth. Grant us the grace of opening our lives to all that you call us to be. Give us the mind and heart of Mary that we too may bear Christ to the world.

Good Friday Mtsirzi to Ntandire

2007-04-17T06:20:00.000-07:00

Photos taken during Good Friday, starting at Mtsiriza and finishing at Ntandire at the site where the church / hall is being built.

Good Friday Mtsirizi to Ntandire

2007-04-17T06:07:00.000-07:00

Photos taken during Way of the Cross on Good Friday.
The journey started at Mtsiriza and finished at Ntandire at the site where the church / hall is being built.

Selling raffle tickets and Trivia night -Mar 2007

2007-03-31T18:55:00.000-07:00

Kizitos & Angels

2007-02-24T16:11:00.000-08:00

Bryan Pipins is a Jesuit from Melbourne who has worked in East Timor and the Philippines. Last year he was in Darfur, and is presently in Northern Uganda working for the Jesuit Refugee Service.

If you would like to read his interesting article entitled "Kizitos and Angels " publshed by "Eureka Street" click here.

Bulding works commences at Ntandire

2007-02-14T01:58:00.000-08:00

The next project being undertaken by the Malawi Support Group are building works at Ntandire for a church and hall in Shantytown. The photoes below were taken on the 10th December. They show the celebratory mass dedicating the area and of a people overjoyed at the prospect they will have somewhere to meet.

I am pleased to report we have sent off US $9,340 and already 200* 50 kg bags of cement, 20 tons of stone and 21 tons of sand costing US $2,340 have been purchased from these funds. The work has begun in earnest as foundations have already been established with the different sections laid voluntarily by the respective christian communities of Ntandire. I hope to bring more photos as work progesses.

Ntandire to have new Church & Hall

2007-01-04T02:40:00.000-08:00

Our next project is to asist with the building works at Ntandire for a church and hall located not far from Mtsiriza-Pictures of the mass 10th Dec 2006

More pictures at Ntandiire

2006-12-14T04:41:00.000-08:00

The photos were taken on 10th Dec 06 during the Sunday Service 'Mass' and the Blessing of the place to have the Church built.

2006-12-14T04:40:00.000-08:00

photos that were taken on 10th Dec 06 during the Sunday Service 'Mass' and the Blessing of the place to have the Church build.

2006-12-14T04:39:00.000-08:00

photos that were taken on 10th Dec 06 during the Sunday Service 'Mass' and the Blessing of the place to have the Church build.

2006-12-14T04:37:00.000-08:00

photos that were taken on 10th Dec 06 during the Sunday Service 'Mass' and the Blessing of the place to have the Church build.

2006-12-14T04:35:00.000-08:00

Photos that were taken on 10th Dec 06 during the Sunday Service 'Mass' and the Blessing of the place to have the Church build at Ntandire asisted by the Malawi Support group.

2006-12-14T04:28:00.000-08:00

Photo taken on 10th Dec 06 during the Sunday Service 'Mass' and the Blessing of the Place to have a new Church built at Ntandire to be assisted by the Malawi Support Group.

Theatre Night raises $1400.

2006-10-30T04:21:00.000-08:00

On Friday 8th September we all trouped off to see Eltham Little Theatre's production of “And Then There Were None” a play based upon Agatha Christies' 38th Novel, written in 1939 and always popular.

Thanks to Mike and Pat Croft for organising this very successful event, we enjoyed an almost full house with $1400 raised.

2006-07-17T03:33:00.000-07:00

st KIzito celebartions

2006-07-17T03:32:00.000-07:00

St KIzito celebrations 2006

2006-07-17T03:31:00.000-07:00

St Kiito celebrations 2006

2006-07-15T20:09:00.000-07:00

An enjoyable and colourful day with all the communities for a an open-air mass at St Kizito, celebrating the Feast Day for St Kizito, taken by Fr Patrick.

2006-07-15T20:08:00.000-07:00

open-air mass at St Kizito, celebrating the Feast Day for St Kizito, taken by Fr Patrick.

2006-07-15T20:07:00.000-07:00

All the communities for a an open-air mass at St Kizito, celebrating the Feast Day for St Kizito, taken by Fr Patrick.

2006-07-15T20:06:00.000-07:00

Another photo showing all the communities for an open-air mass at St Kizito for the Feast Day

2006-07-15T20:03:00.000-07:00

An enjoyable and colourful day with all the communities for a an open-air mass at St Kizito, celebrating the Feast Day for St Kizito, taken by Fr Patrick.

2006-07-15T19:57:00.000-07:00

An enjoyable and colorful day with all the communities for a an open-air mass at St Kizito, taken By Fr Patrick.

Mary

2006-05-10T05:03:00.000-07:00

For the month of May at all of our masses, we are using a prayer composed by Sr. Mary Doona MMM. We will also feature this prayer and recent photographs sent by Sr. Mary in the combined St Kizito celebration and our Ladies Help of Christians on the weekend of the 27th May 2006.

Mary commented I always marvel how Mary like most women knew what it meant to be daughter, wife, mother and friend...surely someone with experience any woman or family can call on. I guess from very early on in life Mary has always been a "role model" or someone who both challenged and encouraged me in life.

Below is her beautifully composed prayer.

O God you called Mary to be the Mother of Jesus. Mary, our Mother also knew what it was to live as daughter wife and friend on this earth. Grant us the grace of opening our lives to all that you call us to be. Give us the mind and heart of Mary that we too may bear Christ to the world

2006-04-28T02:24:00.000-07:00

LOOK AT MY PAPAYA SEEDLINGS !! 2006

2006-04-28T02:23:00.000-07:00

AT PONSLYANA WITH CHILD -2006

2006-04-28T02:22:00.000-07:00

AN AFTERNOON OF "ALL KINDS" OF EVERTHING AT MTSIRIZA -2006

2006-04-28T02:21:00.001-07:00

BOAT SCENE

2006-04-28T02:21:00.000-07:00

CHILD IN MTSIRIZA -2006

2006-04-28T02:20:00.000-07:00

DRYING MAIZE BESIDE BARBERS SHOP AT MTSIRIZA

2006-04-28T02:19:00.000-07:00

EASTER ALLELLUIA AT CHIGONEKA IN 2006

2006-04-28T02:17:00.000-07:00

FOOTBALL AT CHIGONEKA PARISH-2006

2006-04-28T02:16:00.000-07:00

GETTING READY TO DISTRIBUTE PAPAYA TREE SEEDLINGS AT MTSIRIZA -2006

2006-04-28T02:15:00.000-07:00

GIRLS CLUB MTSIRIZA KNITTTING SCHOOL SWEATERS -2006

2006-04-28T02:14:00.000-07:00

KASIYAFUMBI WOMEN WITH SWEATERS -2006

2006-04-28T02:12:00.001-07:00

KINTTING AS WE WALK -2006

2006-04-28T02:12:00.000-07:00

LADIES WITH THEIR CROCHET HANDBAGS

2006-04-28T02:11:00.001-07:00

LAKESIDE

2006-04-28T02:11:00.000-07:00

MAI NKHALAMBA & MAI PONSIYANA WITH FABRIC TABLE CLOTH -2006

2006-04-28T02:09:00.000-07:00

MARGARET TEACHING XMAS CRATS TO WOMEN -2006

2006-04-28T02:08:00.001-07:00

MOSQUITO NET -2006