whiteabbey presbyterian church
© Whiteabbey Presbyterian Church
Home   About Us   Organisations   Services   Diary   Members   Site Map  
 

Project Malawi Links
  Project Malawi Home
  Mulanje News

Project Malawi – Mulanje
Tea Estate

An exciting new Venture for Everyone
When you drink a cup of tea its always thanks to someone else! Tea doesn’t grow in this country but it does in countries like Malawi in Africa, therefore we are dependent on others for our cup of tea.

Dependent or Interdependent?
In a fair world the tea pluckers in Malawi would get reasonable wages for their efforts – the top wage is just £5 per week! We depend on them and they depend on us to help them achieve a better standard of living.


Mulanje Mission

Mulanje Mission
Is set among the tea estates in south east Malawi. Its been there for over 100 years having been started by Scottish Presbyterians. Today it carries on the threefold work of spreading the Gospel, healing the sick and educating the young.

Following the visit of delegates from Whiteabbey Church at Easter 2003, the Kirk Session agreed to set up a Partnership Project with the Mission along with Dun Laoghaire congregation. This had the approval of the Board of Mission Overseas of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland and the Blantyre Synod of the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian. A formal agreement was signed at Mulanje by the ministers of the three congregations in 2004.

What is Partnership?
  • It is the combining of our gifts for mutual benefit and for the advancement of the Gospel.
  • It is a two-way experience based on respect for all who are involved.
  • It should be sustainable, in resources used, staff involved and the skills imparted.

Computer Lab

How can we be involved?
  • Practical giving from our material wealth and skills.
  • Prayerfully remembering the needs of others.
  • Participating in a visit to Malawi.
  • Preparing to be educated and informed.

What has been achieved already?
  • A water supply for 2300 children at the Primary School
  • New toilet blocks at Primary and Secondary Schools
  • Two classroom block at Secondary School
  • A teacher’s house
  • Medical and dental supplies to the Hospital
  • Scholarships for Minister and Headmaster of the Secondary School
  • Burglar bars on classrooms in Primary School
  • A computer lab at the Secondary School
  • Computers for the Church Office, Hospital and Primary School
  • Sewing machines for the women’s organisation (Mvano)
  • A visit by an All Age Group of 18 people in July 2004 to participate in a number of activities at the Mission
  • A visit by a group of 9 people in July 2006 to help with Bible and computer teaching and upgrading of the Primary School Library
  • Finance for a Food for Work programme run by Mulanje Mission during a famine situation
  • Bicycle Ambulances and bed sponsorship for the hospital

Rosemary and Albert on the Tea Estate
What of the future?

Another group plans to visit Mulanje in July 2008.

It is hoped to bring a small group of people from Mulanje Mission to Ireland on a visit in 2008.

We are still looking for volunteers to go for longer periods to Mulanje Mission to give basic training on the computers and perhaps help with other work at the schools.

Other opportunities for people with special skills to go to Mulanje may occur from time to time. Interested? Please contact the Rev James Rogers.