Environmental micro projects are important element of Eco-Star concept. Environmental micro projects are a set of activities that are carried out by school or community in order to address environmental problems in an area. These micro projects also act as a learning and teaching resource to improve schools’ income base and skills development to learners, teachers and the community.

Speaking at Msalura Primary School in Salima district on 11th July 2024 during Animal Management training with different schools, Coordinator for Education in the Archdiocese of Lilongwe, Chrissy Mithi expressed her satisfaction with projects that Eco-Star is undertaking in different schools in the Archdiocese.

Mithi highlighted that there is a big progress in taking care of the environment in different schools, saying that this will help to be in line with Pope Francis message about Laudato Si.

“Am satisfied on how schools here in Salima are performing in taking care of the environment under Eco-Star Project, and I can see that these learners have now understood the importance of taking part in taking care of the environment,” said Mithi.

Chrissy Mithi, Education Coordinator in the Archdiocese of Lilongwe

She believes that the next phase of the project of Animal Management which will be implemented in schools, will help to improve learning standards among learners in different Schools.

She is of the view that “this Animal Management project that has been started in different schools under Eco-Star Project, will improve education and also, I will help the community to have other sources of income, apart from those that are destroying the environment.”

In his remarks, Parish Priest for Our Lady of Fatima (Salima Parish), Father Peter Chatambalala has urged the community to join hands and make the project sustainable in the district.

One of the trainees, Headteacher from All Angels Primary School, Angel Karonga, described the training very useful by saying that they “will implement whatever we have been trained for Animal Management, and this will also help us in our schools as it will be used for practical lessons for our students”.

After the training, schools will receive a funding which will allow them to buy Goats, Pigs and Chickens to start animal farming in their respective Schools.

The Eco-Star Project is being funded by Wilde Genzen Organization (Lead) and Edukans Foundation Netherlands (Co-Founder) and is being implemented by Education Commission of the Archdiocese of Lilongwe (Lead) and Edukans Foundation Malawi as Co-implementer.

By Titus Jata Phiri

The Marianist brothers have been asked to live their consecrated life in earnest to serve the people with hospitality while emulating the life of Christ.

Father Steven Wanyoike, who is the Regional Superior for the Marianist community in the region of Eastern Africa said this on Monday at Chaminade Marianist secondary school in Lilongwe during the opening of the Marianist brothers’ house.

Fr. Wanyoike said the brothers living in the house should know that the house that they will be living in is consecrated and has to be treated with the reverence it deserves.

He said as Marianist community they are also grateful to have been given an opportunity in the archdiocese of to help in serving God’s people.

“This house which has been consecrated today should be treated with special care because it is body of Christ. They need to serve the people who have been entrusted to them with hospitality and due diligence for them to meet God in various aspects of their lives,” Fr Wanyoike said.

“In a special way, I thank the leadership of the archdiocese of Lilongwe for allowing us through their mentorship and allowing us to work in supporting God’s people in educating people to become useful citizens,” he added.

In his remarks, one of the brothers serving at Chaminade Marianist Secondary School, Brother Duncan Onyango said the opening of this house shall make lives of people of God happy as they serve Him.

“I am so excited with the opening of the is house of the Marianists. My brother friends dedicated our lives for Mary and Christ Jesus. We shall serve the people with the much-needed hospitality so that they find Jesus in our community. So, I urge all people to patronise our place and find Jesus here,” Bro. Onyango said.

The Marianist family was founded by William Joseph Chaminade in 1817 and it is spread all over the world as they look up to Mary as a model of faith and spirituality.

In Malawi, the Marianist brothers founded Chaminade Secondary School and Miracle skills training Centre in Karonga and Chaminade Marianist Secondary School in Lilongwe.

The house has been built with help from well-wisher, the family of Symon from Korea.

Reported by Alex Nasoni

Photo Credit: Titus Jata Phiri

By Rev. Fr. John Enoch Kaliwamba dp

In a remarkable display of faith and solidarity, the Catholic Men Association (CMA) of Our Lady of Fatima (Salima) Parish has come together to bail out their brethren at Petulo Oyera Outstation by generously funding the roofing of their church, with a staggering contribution of four million kwacha.

The initiative, spearheaded by the CMA under the chairmanship of Mr. Michael Mtilatira, marks a significant moment of unity and collective action within the parish community. Recognizing the importance of supporting their fellow Catholics, the members of CMA mobilized resources and efforts to ensure the completion of the church construction project at Petulo Oyera Outstation.

“This act of solidarity embodies the true spirit of Christianity and the values we hold dear as members of the Catholic Church,” remarked Mr. Mtilatira, speaking on behalf of the association. “It is not merely about constructing a building; it is about manifesting our faith through tangible actions and serving as witnesses of Christ’s love to one another.”

Petulo Oyera Outstation had been facing financial constraints in completing the roofing of their church, posing a significant challenge to the progress of the project. However, with the timely intervention of the CMA, the community’s dream of a fully functional church is now within reach.

Fr. Peter Chatambalala, the Parish Priest of Salima Parish, conveyed profound appreciation to the steering committee chaired by Mr. Elias Magulama and parishioners for their generous support, both in cash and in kind, towards roofing the church. “I extend my heartfelt gratitude to our Christian community, especially to those skilled carpenters who, as devout Catholics, volunteered their God-given talents to roof the church without charge,” he stated. “Your selfless dedication and contributions exemplify the spirit of Christian charity and unity. Together, through our collective efforts, we have transformed our vision into reality. Your generosity will forever be remembered as a testament to our shared faith and commitment to serving one another.”

“The construction of a church is not just about erecting walls and roofs; it is about creating a sacred space where the faithful can come together to worship, pray, and strengthen their bonds of fellowship,” said Fr. Chatambalala. “The support from the CMA is a testament to the power of communal solidarity and the embodiment of Christian values in action.”

The completion of the church roofing project at Petulo Oyera Outstation serves as a shining example of how faith-based communities can come together to support one another and make a meaningful impact in the lives of others. Through their selfless dedication and generosity, the members of the CMA have not only helped build a physical structure but have also strengthened the spiritual foundation of the parish community.

Work in progress by some Catholic Carpenters who volunteered to do the work of roofing pro-borno

Catholic Women Association members from St. Athanasios (Atanazio) Parish in the Catholic Diocese of Chipata in Zambia are in Malawi for a four-day Catholicism learning visit. The women arrived on April 25, 2024 in the evening and were welcomed by the Laity Council of and Catholic Women Association leadership of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe at some point about 7 kilometers away form the Our lady of Africa (Maula) Cathedral. They upon arrival made a courtesy call to the ‘co-episcopate’ of Archbishop George Tambala and Bishop Vincent Mwakhwawa at the Archdiocese’s open theatre.

Mrs. Mary Mwale is the Chairlady for the Zambia Catholic Women Association of the St. Athanasios Parish and leader of delegation who anticipates a continued warm welcome by the Church in Malawi in general and their counterpart Malawi Catholic Women Association of Holy Trinity (Kawale) Parish in the Archdiocese of Lilongwe.

“The warmth we have been accorded by the Church in the Archdiocese of Lilongwe is making us feel ashamed. We have been received like VVIPs despite just being women from a Parish on the outskirts of Chipata. It was a hero’s welcome, and we wonder how it’s going to be by the end of our visit on Sunday April 28,” said Mrs. Mwale.

Mrs. Mary Mwale, Chairlady for the Zambia CWA of the St. Athanasios Parish

She said that their visit is premised on experience sharing between the women from the two parishes. She said that their intention to visit Malawi was triggered by the interest the Episcopal Conferences of Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe have put forward to form a collaborating block as the people from these neighbouring countries share common challenges.

“Women from the three countries have a lot in common and the desire for our bishops to form a joint working block is realistic. It is on that basis that we started linking with our counterparts from Kawale Parish in the Archdiocese of Lilongwe last year. As our bishops are finalising the process of formalising the formation of the block, we felt we could already start learning from each other,” she said.

The host Chairlady, Mrs. Martha Kaliyati said that women from her Parish are happy to receive women from Zambia invites Catholic Women from other parishes in the archdiocese to come and attend some of the activities in solidarity welcoming of the visiting Catholic women and also to learn together. She also pledges to ensure that next year they visit Chipata in return. She thanked the Archbishop of Lilongwe for taking time to welcome the Catholic women from Zambia.

In his remarks, His Grace Archbishop Tambala told the women that they are not at a wrong place for their bishops are already one.

“The Archdiocese of Lilongwe and Diocese of Chipata are one. I remember when we visited Chipata during the consecration of Auxiliary Bishop Msipu Phiri we were accorded a warm reception. We went as a big team of Catholic women and men but were well received. Feel at home in the Archdiocese of Lilongwe.

St. Atanazio Parish is on the outskirts, east of Chipata town along ‘Umodzi’ high way to the left-hand side as you come from Malawi. The Holy Trinity – Kawale Parish is within the City of Lilongwe under the deanery of Mtima Woyera.

by Sam Kalimba

Gulu lomwe olemekezeka Ambuye George Desmond Tambala alikhazikitsa la Lilongwe Archdiocese Youth Animation lati lionetsetsa kuti umoyo wa achinyamata m’magawo osiyanasiyana maka pankhani zokhudza luso ukupita patsogolo mu Arkidayosiziyi.

M’modzi wa mamembala a gululi yemwe anali wosewera wodziwika bwino kwambiri mdziko muno, Francis Songo ndiye wanena izi Lamulungu la Maitanidwe pa Parishi ya Mlale mu Arkidayosiziyi.

Songo wati gulu lawo muli anthu a maluso osiyanasiyana omwe ali ndi mbiri m’dziko muno ndipo pano akudyelera lusolo kwinaku akutumikira Mulungu.

“Ine m’malo mwa anzanga tasankhidwa ndi Ambuye olemekezeka kuti ngati akatolika komanso aluso losiyanasiyana tithandize achinyamata mu Arkidayosizi yathuyi kupeza maluso awo ndi kudzakhala odzidalira pa mawa. Si onse amene ali ndi nzeru za mkalasi ayi! Ena mwa achinyamatawa ali ndi luso la mpira pamene ena ali ndi maluso a ntchito za manja. Onsewa tikufuna kuwabweretsa pamodzi kuti adziwe zomwe Mulungu adawapatsa. Choncho akadzakhala odzidalira paokha komanso mpingo ndi dziko, zidzapindula,” anatero Songo.

Mmawu ake, mmodzi mwa achinyamata mu Arkidayosiziyi kuchokera ku parishi ya Mkanda, Monica Chibwe wayamikira ambuye Tambala ndi ofesi yawo pokhazikitsa gululi ponena kuti liwathandiza kubweretsa poyera maluso awo poyera ndinso kupititsa patsogolo chikhristu chawo.

“Izi ndi zabwino kwambiri ndipo ife tikuyamika kwambiri potiganizira chonchi. Si tonse amene tili ndi nzeru za mkalasi. Ena tili ndi maluso osiyanasiyana koma timasowa kuti tipita nawo kuti? Kubwera kwa gululi kuthandiza kwambiri. Tikhoza kupempha gululi kuti lidzitipezapeza maparishi mwathumu kuti tikhaledi achinyamata odalilika,” anatero Monica.

Arkiepiskopi wa Arkidayosizi ya Lilongwe, Ambuye Tambala adaganiza zokhazikitsa gululi ndi cholinga choti lidzithandiza achinyamata kumvetsetsa bwino za maitanidwe awo ku mautumiki osiyanasiyana ndi kuzindikira komanso kupititsa patsogolo maluso awo kuti choncho akhale akhristu komanso nzika zodalilika.

Mgululi muli anthu monga Sr. Veronica Ng’omba, Young Chimodzi Snr, Francis Songo komanso Ben Michael mwa ena.

Wolemba ndi Alex Nasoni

Pope Francis has honoured Reverend Father Patrick Thawale, a diocesan priest in the Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe and Reverend Father Henry Chinkanda, a diocesan priest of Dedza Diocese as Monsignor.

The announcement was made today, 26th March 2024 at Maula Cathedral by Episcopal Conference of Malawi president, Archbishop George Desmond Tambala during the Chrism Mass.

The Archbishop acknowledged and applauded monsignor Thawale for the tremendous work he is doing in the Archdiocese of Lilongwe.

Speaking to Radio Alinafe, Monsignor Thawale described the position as an honor, and he has vowed to continue serving God with zeal.

Monsignor Patrick Thawale is currently serving as parish priest at St Andrea Kaggwa parish in the Archdiocese of Lilongwe.

Below is a pictorial of the conferring of the regalia for the monsignor at Maula Cathedral in the Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe.

In the wake of the environmental degradation and low quality of education in the country, the Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe through its Education Development Commission has started training focal teachers from different educational zones to help improve teaching and learning on the same.

This week (from Tuesday, 12th March 2024 to Thursday, 14th March 2024), the commission through its project “Eco-Star” conducted a training for focal teachers in Active Teaching and Learning (ATL), Investigation, Vision, Action, and Change (IVAC) and Inclusive Education (IE) at Kabuthu zone in Lilongwe Central West Education Division.

Mrs. Chrissie Mithi, the Education Coordinator for the Archdiocese of Lilongwe

The Education Coordinator for the Archdiocese of Lilongwe, Mrs. Chrissie Mithi says the project will help to equip the focal teachers with extra knowledge which they will share with learners in their everyday lessons.

Mrs. Mithi is optimistic that if new learners in different primary schools are taught on how to conserve and care for the environment, the future generation can adopt good strategies which may again improve the environment without any interference.

“We want the teachers to use the environment in teaching and learning. The teacher should take a learner to a tree, so that they should relate what is happening outside and inside the classroom so that in the end, this learner should protect the environment and assist in planting more trees,” said Mrs. Mithi.

She also added that the training will help the teachers and their respective schools to have gardens and kraals which may help to meet their learning resource needs through selling the products.

Lessie Jim, one of the facilitators at the training

Speaking after lecturing, one of the facilitators at the training, Lessie Jim who is an Inclusive Education Coordinator for Lilongwe Rural West said that the training has assisted the focal teachers to gain more skills on how they can accommodate learners with different diverse needs.

Jim has encouraged teachers in the country to include learners with special needs to do different activities together with their fellow learners as everybody has a duty to help in developing the country.

The Primary Education Advisor (PEA) for Kabuthu Zone, Elfrida Ndau

In her remarks, the Primary Education Advisor (PEA) for Kabuthu Zone, Elfrida Ndau commended the move saying that it will motivate learners to attend classes thereby improving their results.

She says that the microprojects are capable of improving the quality of education in different schools including where there are no Eco-Star projects as the focal teachers will help to disseminate the information which they get from the training.

“Teachers will use these micro projects as teaching resource. For example, if they are rearing the animals at the school, they may use them to teach different subjects like Agriculture even Mathematics or Chichewa,” Ndawu concluded.

The training was organized to help teachers to have knowledge on new methodologies of handling classes while keeping learners on board. The second phase of ECO-STAR project is targeting 30 primary schools from 4 districts which include Lilongwe, Salima, Mangochi and Thyolo.

Below are the highlights of the training.

by Eric Norman Mkwaira

The Auxiliary Bishop for the Archdiocese of Lilongwe Vincent Mwakhwawa, has urged Youths in the Archdiocese to be self-reliant and resourceful when running their organization.

The Auxiliary Bishop made this call on Saturday at Maula Cathedral, during an interface meeting with the youths, which was aimed at listening to some of the challenges the youths are facing and also to see their plans for the 2024.

Rt. Rev. Vincent Mwakhwawa, the Auxiliary Bishop for the Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe

According to Bishop Mwakhwawa, youths should not just rely on parents, but instead use their skills and knowledge when mobilizing resources for their organization.

“Our meeting today with the youths, is aimed at advising them on how they can use their skills to benefit their organization and not always asking parents for support in terms of financial and other resources. The youths should be self-reliant and also to help church in areas of development”, said Auxiliary Bishop Mwakhwawa.

On her part, Sister Veronica Ng’omba who is one of the executive members responsible for the youths in the Archdiocese of Lilongwe, said time has come for the youths to be self-reliant in everything.

“We have discussed and empowered these youths today, that they have to be skillful, and they have to use the skills wisely to run their Organization in the Archdiocese, without relying much on the help from parents or the church,” she said.

Making the remarks, one of the archdiocesan youth executive member, Saul Jere, described the meeting fruitful, as it has helped them to have a wider knowledge on how they can deal with challenges they are facing in their organization.

The Meeting was chaired by the Auxiliary Bishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe. Rt. Rev. Vincent Mwakhwawa, Archdiocesan Youth Executive members and Executive Committee members responsible for the youths in the Archdiocese of Lilongwe.

By Peter Dumayo