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


  

2013 ANNUAL REPORT TO THE PARISH

It is great news to report to you once again the fundraising and activities for the group have been very successful. Thank you for your generous support by either buying raffle tickets, helping out on the Bunnings barbecue, attending functions or in making donations. Your generosity continues to make a substantial difference to the respective communities in your sister parish, under the outstanding leadership of Fr. Taylor, particularly given the countries massive recent currency devaluation.

You may recall last year that violence had erupted in the country following the sudden death of the President from a heart attack and that a new woman President, Joyce Hilda Banda was installed. She is Malawi’s first female President and began well, but Banda has been let down badly by her  colleagues prompting her to sack her entire cabinet so all ministers could be investigated. This all makes our efforts to help even more essential in building up a community that in the future, through improved Catholic education, will ensure those elected will better serve their respective communities.

This year’s fund raising followed a familiar path that has been established over the years to maximize results given our relatively meagre resources.  I am pleased to report we continue to expand support funding for breakfast for the school children, the nursery school established alongside OLHC church at Ntandire, school fees for those unable to afford them including a number of orphans and in the provision of scholarships to students to attend secondary and higher studies.

Without your help this vital support for those in need would not be possible, from which will emerge future leaders.
Our activities again proved popular with a crazy whist night early earlier in the year followed by the overwhelming success of the Bunnings barbecue and a scaled down theatre night. Thanks again to Fr. Kevin for his support in incorporating the St Kizito celebration into our masses, to Angela for preparation of the CD and to the members who all gave excellent presentations. Our raffles also continue to be very well supported.
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.

PHOTOS FROM MALAWI

 

CELEBRATION OF ST KIZITO’S FEAST DAY

This weekend, the Parish celebrates the Feast of St Kizito, as St Kizito’s feast day is Mon June 3.

There will be a special collection as well as a short video presentation. The funds raised will give further support to the education and feeding programs run by Fr Frank for the aids orphans and youth of the parish. Once again, we thank you in anticipation of your continued excellent support for Fr Frank’s work in our Sister Parish. Below is part of the most recent letter from Fr Frank:
Dear Lindsay,
The school fees have been able to help two girls begin teacher training, one young man to get a laptop for IT studies and 37 boys and girls for secondary education. We also have 20 orphan children that we assist. We are able to buy school bags and food for the nursery schools. The money sent should last until December.
Thanks again for all the efforts put in by the group for Malawi!
May the lord bless them all and special thanks to you.

LETTERS FROM FR, TAYLOR

THANKS FOR YOUR LETTER R/E ST KIZITO DAY .THIS YEAR IT FALLS ON THE FEAST OF CORPUS CHRISTI  SO WE WILL HAVE THE BLESSING OF THE SCHOOL AT NTANDIRE BEFORE THE MASS AND PROCESSION .OUR CELEBRATION FOR ST KIZITO WILL BE ON THE 7 JULY AS ALL SIX CHURCHES GATHER FOR A FAMILY DAY AND THE ARCHBISHOP WILL ATTEND .I WILL SEND SOME PHOTOS SOON AS BEST I CAN . THE SCHOOL FEES AND ORPHAN CARE IS VERY MUCH APPRECIATED AND I WILL SEND THE REPORT FOR 2013 ..KIND REGARDS TO ALL . FRANK

THANKS LINDSAY .MONEY ARRIVED SAFELY .WILL SEND YOU A REPORT IN MAY OF THE STUDENT SUPPORT FUND AND THE ORPHENS WHO ARE BEING HELPED.HOPE THE BACK IS IMPROVING.  PADDY IS HAVING MORE TROUBLE WITH HIS EYES.I REMAIN ALONE .I HAVE 3 WEDDINGS IN IRELAND IN AUGUST .I LOOK FORWARD TO THE BREAK .LIFE IS GOOD AND POPE FRANCIS GIVES US COURAGE. KINDEST REGARDS TO THE MALAWI SUPPORT GROUP .

  

CRAZY WHIST NIGHT

A very enjoyable and successful event last Saturday evening with 37 tickets sold and some lovely donations by people that could not attend.

The event raised $370 from tickets sales and a further $139 in very kind donations for a total of $509.

 

LETTER FROM FR TAYLOR

The following letter has been received from Fr Taylor.  

“Lindsay and the Malawi support group.

It was great news that you are fundraising was so successful. We really appreciate the wonderful effort that you put in. The safe way Barbecue

looked very inviting. Wish I could have joined you for a Hotdog. I really enjoyed the post cards you sent to us. Please thank your youngest daughter so much. Times are very tough in Malawi.

Our currency has devalued by over a 100 per cent in the last three months. Our Kwacha is not wealth much now so oversees donations are a huge help.

Father Paddy will decide about returning to Malawi in October 2013. So far the Doctor is positive about his eye sight stabilizing. Am keeping well myself.

The School project at Mtandire is going very well and are opening a Standard 1 class on the 4th of February. We have two classrooms built and hope to bring it up to Standard 4 in due time. The people are really happy with this project as there are no proper schools in the Area.

We would be grateful if you send the donation just prior to Easter. School fees will be due then. The Orphan Feeding Program is also running very  well. I will send photos at Easter.

Wishing you all the Blessings of the Lord.

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.   

THE SAFEWAY BARBECUE

The members wish to sincerely thank all the Parishioners who assisted the Group with the “Safeway Sausage Sizzle” last Saturday.  It was a really social event for those who came along and helped out for the 2 hour blocks on the stall.

While the turnover was not as big as the previous events held at Bunnings, it exceeded expectations with a profit of $580.60 made to add to the Group’s funds.

It is hoped we might be able to get a day at Bunnings again next year that would give something in the order of double the profit on a good day. Thank you all again for the continued support.

ST KIZITO FEAST DAY AND COLLECTION

Each year in June we remember Saint Kizito who was one of the Martrys of Uganda.  He was the youngest martyr slain by King Mwanga of Buganda in 1886.   He was beatified by Pope Benedict XV in 1920 and  canonised  in 1964 by Pope Paul 6th. His feast day is June 3.

Fr Taylor continues to be very grateful and encouraged by our generous donations which allows him to further the Lord’s work in Malawi. The last time he wrote to us around Easter he spoke about the ‘turmoil’ in Malawi with endless queues for fuel and rising  food prices which was causing unrest and  anger to be directed at the Government. This anger boiled over into uprisings on the streets and following a heavy handed crackdown some demonstrators were killed.

Not long afterwards following the sudden death of the President from a heart attack a new woman President, Joyce Hilda Banda was installed on 7 April 2012 and to date early signs are very good!! Her roots are as an educator as she holds both 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.

Prior to politics Banda was founder of the Joyce Banda Foundation, The National Association of Business Women, Young Women Leaders Network and the Hunger Project. She was listed in Forbes Magazine 2011 as the third most powerful woman in Africa. Her smoother than expected transition of power is a relief for both Malawians and neighbouring countries.
Our projects are going very well. We pay school fees for 35 students at secondary level and fund breakfast for 280 school - children. We also fund food and fees for orphans. There is a great deal of malnutrition among the children in the village and reluctance to go to school because they are hungry and with your support, we can provide supplementary food for them. Fr Taylor tells us they are so happy to be going to school. Some do very well, others poorly but all are grateful to have time at school. As a measure to thank our parishioners we have printed a number of postcards which are on the table in the gathering areas. On the front is 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 and we recite at the end of each meeting. The card could possibly be used as a post card but the idea is more a way of sharing in Sr Mary’s prayer by way of thanks to donors. Mary composed the prayer for us whilst serving as a medical missionary in Malawi. Below is a picture of myself giving this talk at Mass on the Sunday.  


Afterwards  we ran  a CD with the latest pictures  from Malawi.We were very pleased with the generous donations from parishioners. 

CHILDREN WE SUPPORT

Our contributions are helping  provide breakfast for the children in 6 Nursery schools catering for over 300 children. We are also supporting education needs for 30 young people going to secondary schools and two for higher studies. Pictures below are of the children and of the celebratory mass for St  Kizito's anniversary which occurs on the 3rd June each
year,

    

 

2011 REPORT TO THE PARISH

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.

FROM FR TAYLOR IN IRELAND

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 building – 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

VIDEO FROM MALAWI

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 cannot 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 south eastern 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