Nursery school additions we help support and scholarship holders

children we support

 

 

The Mother’s Day raffle

An extremely BIG THANK YOU to all as The Mother’s Day raffle was a huge success with $700 raised through the ticket sales and some generous donations. There were four lovely prizes and the Group wishes to THANK ALL who participated for their continued support for our Sister Parish at Saint Kizito’s.

Letter from Fr Taylor

Thank you for your letter dated 30th December. Sorry for the long delay. The students have just finished second semester and fees we have paid out for the 29 students was Kwacha 852,200 at a cost of US $1893.

This funds 4 students at boarding school, undertaking pre medicine, journalism, law and carpentry. The remainder are day scholars.

The programm is running very well and the bursaries are making a real difference. It is a very worthwhile project.

We are renovating the local community day school. They have struggled to build 2 classrooms for years and have reached window level.   We will finish the roof for them !!

The parish continues to grow and with 6 out-churches keeps me busy. There is a great spirit among the Christians and lots of commitment to the faith.It is a pleasure and honour to work with them.

I will go to Ireland in July 22nd for some rest and also to help out in the local parish ! Nice to get a change of parishioners ! But my heart is still in  Malawi . 

Thanks for your wonderful support and to the Malawi Support  Group.

Best wishes   

 

MALAWI CRAZY WHIST

Thanks to all concerned for organising this highly enjoyable night that raised $295. We sold 20 tickets to card players and also received $95 in donations from parishioners unable to attend on the night.
 

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.