The Education Coordinator for the Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe, Mrs. Chrisy Mithi has pleaded with Primary School Education Advisors (PEAs) in Lilongwe Rural East to help other schools which are outside the Eco-Star schools project, to emulate what is happening in Eco-Star schools.

Mrs. Mithi made the plea today, October 03, 2024, at Ndevu Primary School in Kalolo zone, where the project team from the Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe held a Community of Practice engagement with various headteachers and PEAs from Eco-Star Project targeted schools under Kalolo, Kabudula, Kabuthu and Kalonga zones from Lilongwe Rural West.

Mrs. Chrisy Mithi, Education Coordinator for the Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe

She mentioned that they’re in the process of lobbying for the activities in the Eco-Star project to be part of the school curriculum in the country so as to help learners have an opportunity to have practical lessons as well as conserving the environment.

“We believe that incorporating Eco-Star activities into the curriculum will not only benefit the environment but also provide valuable educational experiences for students,” cited Mrs. Mithi. “But maybe before we can reach out to the Ministry of Education that they incorporate the activities, let us start with the zones, then maybe at district level or education district like Lilongwe west, so that’s why we are asking all PEAs to emulate what Eco-Star is doing in the schools.”

Kalolo Zone Primary Schools Education Advisor, Esther Chiwanga indicated that she will invite headteachers from different schools to visit and learn what other schools are doing with the help of the Eco-Star project.

“So as an advisor, I would like to invite all the head-teachers from other schools to come here at Ndevu (Primary) School and see what the Eco-Star is doing here so that they can be encouraged and after going back to their various schools, they can do the same,” she said.

Esther Chiwanga, Kalolo Zone Primary Schools Education Advisor

The Head Teacher for Ndevu Primary School, Moses Kalungu praised the Eco-Star project for the burning fruits being witnessed at the school.

“There is a great improvement in terms of teaching and learning because before the project learners of course were learning but we had very few practical lessons but with the coming of this project most of the lessons that need practical work, are done easier,” he said.

Moses Kalungu, Head Teacher for Ndevu Primary School

The project “Eco-Star schools” comprises of interventions such as lawns, vegetable gardens, orchards and woodlots and pig farming among others.

By Lester Mhone

Fr. Cornelius Kanyambo, the main celebrant, presides over the opening Mass of the Mission Month at Kachebere Parish in the Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe on 01 October 2024.

Eric Norman Mkwaira captured the opening Mass of the Mission Month at Kachebere Parish.

You can easily access all the photos of the event and download them by clicking here.

Mwambo wa nsembe ya Misa yokondwelera kuti bambo Peter Kapiri Mwale akwanitsa zaka 25 akutumikira ngati wa nsembe (1999 – 2024).

Mwambo wa nsembe ya Misayi unatsogoleredwa ndi ambuye George Desmond Tambala a Arkidayosizi ya Katolika ya Lilongwe pa 21 September 2024 ku Parishi ya St. Francis of Assisi, Kanengo.

Mwazina, bambo Kapiri anabwerezaso malonjezo awo a unsembe ndi kulonjeza kupitilira kutumikira mulungu mwa totomoyo.

Izi ndi zina mwa zithunzi zomwe Eric Norman Mkwaira wa Radio Alinafe anajambula pa mwambowu.

Vie all pictures here.

The Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe, his grace George Desmond Tambala has blessed a new office building that will be used by the auxiliary bishops, his lordship Vincent Mwakhwawa.

The blessing ceremony took place on September 6, 2024, at the heart of the archdiocese, Maula.

In his address, Archbishop Tambala expressed gratitude to the Catholic faithful who had contributed to the renovation and modernization of the office.

He expressed confidence that the new office would facilitate easier access to services for the archdiocese’s Catholics, particularly through the work of Bishop Mwakhwawa as the auxiliary bishop and Vicar General.

One of executive members in the laity council, Mr. Gibson Mkanda has thanked all those who had contributed to the project, highlighting the importance of unity among the faithful.

Mr. Mkanda has also emphasized that the archbishop’s words had been a source of encouragement, particularly in recognizing the valuable role of the laity in the Church.

It’s worth noting that bishop Mwakhwawa was appointed as an auxiliary bishop of Lilongwe by Pope Francis on November 15, 2023. On Saturday, 20th January 2024, he was consecrated as an auxiliary bishop of Lilongwe.

Summary

The Archbishop of Lilongwe blessed a newly renovated office building for the auxiliary bishops. The Archbishop expressed gratitude to the Catholic community for their contributions and highlighted the importance of the new office in providing better services to the faithful.

Download and view more pictures here

By Eric Norman Mkwaira

On Sat 31 August 2024, Bishop Vincent Mwakhwawa, Auxiliary Bishop of Lilongwe has confirmed 662 young people and adults at Salima Our Lady of Fatima Parish. The parish stayed for some few years without confirmation, hence a large number of candidates.

In his homily Bishop Vincent reminded the candidates about the role of Holy Spirit in the Church and in the individual life of a Christian. He guided them that sacrament of confirmation with empower them to serve in the Church and social as young missionaries in proclaiming the good news of salvation with courage, conviction and commitment.

He also guided the candidates that Church expects them to fulfill their Missionary obligations carrying out some four practical pastoral activities:
1. Praying every day in private (as individuals) and in the community especially the Eucharistic celebration: specifically, to love the Eucharist.
2. Teaching others the word of God and Church teachings. In order to do that they need to continue learning the catechism of the Catholic Church and read the bible in their groups.
3. Doing manual work at their level as a service to Christ at Parish, home and school. They need to visit the sick and the old in homes and assist them.
4. Contributing money generously to the Church and support their need in a spirit of Missionary charity.

The bishop also advised parents to encourage their children to attend post-confirmation lessons. The bishop caution parents and leaders who tell children that after confirmation means young people have finished Catholic formation. He reminded parents and leaders that Catholic formation does not stop, even adults have to continue learning the Catholic faith in families and small Christian communities.

Programs Manager for Eco Star Project in the Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe, Mr. Chris Mabwera has applauded Mbira Primary School for being one of the outstanding schools which are doing well in different activities which the project is implementing in different primary schools in the archdiocese.

Mr. Mabwera said this at Mbira Primary School, Senior Chief Sileti, Traditional Authority Kalonga in Salima during a Monitoring and Supervisory visit which they conducted.

He has expressed his satisfaction on activities and initiatives that Mbira Primary School is undertaking in promoting education standards among learners and environmental conservation.

“This is what we want, and we are happy for what Mbira Primary School is doing here, they have planted more trees here and on top of that, they are keeping goats, and they also have a garden which they use as learning tools for learners during Agriculture lessons,” says Mr. Mabwera.

He has also urged Mbira Primary School to teach other schools, and that all schools that are under Eco Star project should emulate what Mbira Primary School is doing in promoting environment conservation.

On his part, headmaster for Mbira Primary School, Grevanzio Gomani says this has been achieved as a result of a good cooperation between the school management and the surrounding communities.

“We have managed to be at this state due to the unity that is between us with the Eco Star Committee and people of our villages, we have always worked hand in hand to make sure that all activities that we do under Eco Star are sustainable in our School and also in the communities,” said Gomani.

On his remarks, Senior Chief Sileti promised a continued support on different projects under Eco Star.

He said that as a chief and his subjects will continue working with Mbira Primary School on projects that Eco Star will be conducting so that it should be sustainable for the school, also our communities.

Mbira Primary School is one of the model Schools in Salima district that has performed well in the second phase of the project, and the school will act as a mentor to the new introduced Schools to Eco Star projects.

The project is being implemented by Archdiocese of Lilongwe (Lead) and Edukans foundation of Malawi (co_ implementer) and is being sponsored by Wilde Gazen Organization.

By Titus Jata Phiri

Pictures below were taken during a Monitoring and Supervisory visit.

📷: Eric Norman Mkwaira

The Eucharistic celebration of the Mass to commemorate the day (17th August 2024) was led by His Grace George Desmond Tambala, Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe at St. Benedict the Abbot – Mponela Parish in Dowa Deanery.

This celebration was guided by the theme “Invite all to come to the feast,” words which come from Matthew 22:9.

Children from various parishes in this Archdiocese gathered at the Mponela parish, St. Benedict the Abbot in Dowa.

Compiled by Radio Alinafe 2024 Dept.

Wojambula ndi Eric Norman Mkwaira