Fr. Alfred Kalumbi (Parish Priest)
Matumba Catholic Parish
P.O Box 79
Dedza
Malawi
Mikondo Primary School roofing project: April 2022
RE: MIKONDO PRIMARY SCHOOL ROOFING PROJECT REPORT 12.04.2022
It’s a pleasure to report that we are finally done with Mikondo Primary School roofing project. It was, however, a challenge to finish the project within an estimated time due to some unforeseen circumstances. The project was largely delayed due to the change of the school administration as well as the falling down of the school wall. We experienced a strong cyclone in the area which caused the falling-down of a huge part of the school block, which consequently took us time to re-erect it. Finally, we thank God that the work is done and classrooms are ready for use. See some photos below:
We, finally, thank Malawi twin for the financial support towards the new face of Mikondo Primary School. With every good wish, I beg to remain;
Fr. Alfred (Parish Priest)
January 2022
PROGRESS REPORT ON MICRO-LOAN PROJECTS BEING IMPLEMENTED IN MATUMBA
Glad to give a further progress report of the microloan funds that were received on 19.07.2021 meant for women empowerment through the extension of “Snack Baking” and “Vegetable, Onion, Fish, Tomato” business training. As I had already reported, both projects had been successfully implemented and sweet fruits are being seen through the profits that our women are making. The women were expected to pay back their loan by 15.12.2021. I am extremely happy to say that 98% have paid back the loan. The remaining 2% of the women is expected to pay back the loan by 27.01.2022.
- Snack Baking: Twenty eight (28) women were involved in the project, 7 from each zone. Each woman had a loan of MK25, 000.00. The returned funds will be loaned out to the new group of women for the same business. However, the number of women in the second line of beneficiaries will be reduced from 28 to 20, which means 5 women from each centre. The reduction in the number of beneficiaries comes in due to the present devaluation of our currency. The intention behind is to offer the women a bit of high amount of funds that can easily help them run a business (for considering the current increase of prices of many items at a market).
There is a very good and promising progress of the baking project. Women are enthusiastic and doing personal businesses. This is pretty good for us. The women have starter packs, they are able to plan and manage their smaller businesses without close external inspection.
- Vegetable, Fish, Onion, Tomato Business: In this project, 40 women were involved, 10 from each zone. MK20, 000.00 was loaned out to each woman. All women excising this business have paid back their loan and the returned funds will be loaned out to the new group of women. As in baking project, the number of women loaning will be trimmed down for the same cause. The number of beneficiaries will be reduced from 40 to 28, 7 from each zone.
We have set 29.01.2022 as a day of loaning out the returned funds to new groups of women. Freedom will be given to all women to diversify their businesses according to their tests. Women from this new group will be expected to pay back the loan in June, 2022. Thereafter, the other new group will be identified for the loan.
Baking, vegetable, onion, dry fish and tomato businesses have proved to be hot cake businesses. Many women would want to do these businesses since the businesses deal with daily basic needs of man (making businesses more profitable). Lots of women have a huge enthusiasm and are loving the businesses. This has been a driving force to many women in the parish from all four zones to come to the Fathers’ residence daily seeking small loans to run the businesses. But we cannot manage to assist them all due to the same financial hiccups. We, therefore, thank Malawi twin team and all donors for sponsoring these hot cake businesses.
NB: Tailoring: Currently, there has been no promising progress in this project. The reason behind is that many women graduating from this training have had no enough starter packs (money) to commence their own sewing business. For instance, we have cases of graduating women who have no capital to buy personal sewing machines to start their own business. As a result, many women are gradually avoiding the project. At present, we have only few women who are committed to the project.
These months being a farming period in Malawi, many women are also busy with farming activities in their fields (a secondary reason for the reduction of the number of women participating in the training). However, through the parish council meeting scheduled for 19.02.2022, we are yet to sensitise the women on the importance of acquiring the tailoring skills regardless of their inability to purchase sewing machines for their independent business.
Lack of funds to procure sewing machines (to run personal business after training) by the graduating women from tailoring training, has also largely contributed to the increase of women in the parish who would want to run baking, vegetable, onion, dry fish, tomato businesses unlike sewing business.
In a nutshell, the above first two listed microloan projects (baking, vegetables, onion, dry fish, and tomato) had been successfully implemented and are producing tangible fruits which are helping women’s personal lives and the lives of their family members. Some women are able to pay their children’s school fees from the businesses, procuring food, clothing and other daily basic needs for their families. A thing we are grateful for. God bless Malawi twin team and all donors!
With a vote of thanks & prayers,
Fr. Alfred
Update from Fr Alfred: March 2021
Malawi is currently experiencing low covid 19 cases & we thank God for that. The Parishioners are trying their best in following the precautionary measures put forward. And huge thanks to Malawi-twin team for helping us with funds for purchasing PPEs and other protective items like washing buckets. This is helping our Christians quite a lot.
COVID-19 FINANCIAL SUPPORT REPORT
23rd February 2021
I am pleased to present an account of Covid-19 financial support that we received from Malawi-Twin Team. Primarily, I thank the Team for timely support and my Parish never dreamt of receiving such a great help from the Team due to the present global financial hiccups brought about by the current covid-19 pandemic.
We have managed to purchase and distribute the requested protective items (Soap, washing buckets, sanitizer, washable & disposable face masks, etc.) to our Parishioners. The Parish executive members distributed some items through Covid-19 Sub Committees that had been established in every outstation, other items were directly distributed to the Parishioners by Priests and Catechists during Prayer services.
For instance, we the Pastoral workers (Priests & Catechists) took advantage of Ash Wednesday mass, mass of the First Sunday of Lent and Prayers of the Way of the Cross to distribute Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) and other items. We managed to take a good number of photos, some of which are the following:
NB: The above attached photos are just the tip of iceberg of the materials that have been purchased and distributed to the Parishioners. The Parishioners are so much grateful for the wonderful support and they pledge to keep on thinking of you.
Finally, we pray that the Lord blesses the entire Malawi-Twin Team and all donors with a holy and spiritually fruitful Lenten season and that Our Lady, Queen of the most Holy Rosary leads you all ever closer to the heart of her Divine Son as you continue serving poor souls in Malawi.
With huge gratitude & prayers, Fr. Alfred Genesis KALUMBI (Parish Priest)
Progress report of PIG-PASS-ON Project
16th February 2021
Our women are slowly economically empowered and benefitting quite a lot from the project. A good number of pigs are currently having piglets. Some groups of women have started sharing the piglets and other piglets are being distributed to the women of second-line of beneficiaries as planned before. The first three photos below show some piglets that have been distributed to both women in the first and second-line of beneficiaries.
The piglets below will be ready for sharing by the month of April, 2021. See their photos:
On behalf of Matumba Catholic Women, I really appreciate the support you offer my parish especially to our poor women. With every good wish, I beg to remain; Fr. Alfred, Parish Priest
Kanjinga Out Church Roofing Project
February 2021
We thank the Team for entrusting us with Four (4) Major Projects last year 2020 namely; two Microloan Projects, Solar Light Project and Kanjinga Out church Roofing Project. Reports of first three projects (solar and two microloan projects) dated 09.12.2020 are detailed below.
Kanjinga church project is now completed though we had some unforeseen challenges which caused the delay of the Project. We are, however, glad now that the project is over. Below are the church project photos for your appreciation:
We thank the Team for the support offered to our Parish and Matumba Parishioners are appreciating your usual help. Be assured of our unceasing and fervent prayers.
Yours in Christ & Mary, Fr. Alfred (Parish Priest) Dated: 04.02.2021
Natiswe Catholic Primary School 100% pass rate
January 2021
Happy New Year greetings to you. I hope your’e safe from this corona pandemic.
I am pleased to share with you that the government of Malawi through the ministry of education has released Standard 8 examination results. The most pleasing thing is that “Natiswe Catholic Primary School” which is one of 19 Catholic Primary Schools of Matumba Parish, has been the best Primary school again in Malawi for its beautiful results. Natiswe has scored 100% pass rate plus 100% selection rate to both “National Secondary Schools & District Boarding Schools”.
Natiswe Primary school was also the best primary school in Malawi last year in terms of passing rate & selection rate. The school is located in remotest rural area of Matumba, about 45Km from the Parish. The school has only two school blocks with four classrooms only. Many pupils learn in grass shades as it’s seen below:
Thank you from Fr. Alfred, Matumba
Lovely greetings to you. I hope you’re in good health. I write simply to wish you & all Malawi-Twin Members, donors / well wishers a happy & prosperous new year 2021. Thanks to you & the Malawi-Twin for everything you have done for my parishioners in this just ending year 2020. We truly appreciate.
In particular, many thanks for all kinds of projects you have funded us with in this year 2020. You have been of great help to us, without which we believe our well-being & pastoral activities wouldn’t be all that meaningful as it is.
We continue praying for all the Malawi-Twin members together with all donors & good will people. Be assured of our unceasing prayers. May you receive all necessary graces you need in your life.
With lots of love & prayers, Fr. Alfred
December 2020 Report from Fr. Alfred, Matumba
Fr Alfred has sent a detailed report for the two microloan projects and Solar light Project that were funded by Malawi-Twin this year 2020. You can download or open in a new page by clicking the link below. There are lots of photos.
Dear Brian,
RE: REPORT FOR MICRO-LOAN AND SOLAR LAMPS PROJECTS
I am pleased to present a detailed report for the two microloan projects and Solar light Project that were funded by Malawi-Twinning Projects in this year of 2020. All projects have been well implemented and there has been an encouraging collaboration with church elders (Parish Executive Members).
Prior to the implementation of the projects, the news about the said projects was happily shared among the church leaders during the Parish Council Meeting who took the message to all 26 Churches within the Parish. So far, we have managed to fully implement the two microloan and the solar light projects and we are yet to give a full detailed report, in isolation, of Kanjinga Church Roofing Project within the next few weeks when all work is artistically done.
1. FISH, VEGETABLES, TOMATO AND ONION BUSINESS
So far, we have given hand-outs to a group of 32 women, 8 from each centre. Each of the 32 women has been offered a loan of MK27, 000.00 cash as a starter pack for their small scale business. We expect the beneficiaries to finish repaying their loan by the month of May, 2021. Thereafter, the funds will be loaned out to another new group of women. See some of the photos below showing some women receiving their loan:
2. GOAT PASS-ON
We have identified 56 women, 14 in each centre. Twenty eight (28) she-goats have been distributed to twenty eight (28) women in the first line in all four zones and the 28 women in the second line of beneficiaries will be waiting for the birth of offspring from the first line.
3. SOLAR LIGHTS
The provision of solar lights to the local people in rural areas like Matumba is highly appreciated since 99% of Matumba Parishioners have no access to electricity. Matumba is in remotest rural area. With the provision of the solar lamps by the Malawi-Twinning Projects, will not only assist in the provision of light for the families but also for students from poor families to study during the dark hours. Hence, the solar lights are contributing quite a lot to the academic life of pupils and students in poor families. Attached are some of the photos of the beneficiaries of these solar lamps:
We are sincerely grateful to the Malawi-Twinning Project for the support you are giving the women in Matumba Catholic Parish through the various microloan projects. This initiative is making a huge positive impact on the economy of our women and their families at large.
Finally, we wish the entire Malawi – Twin Team a merry Christmas and happy New Year 2021. May God guide and protect you all as you continue serving poor souls in Malawi.
With lots of prayers & gratitude,
Fr. Alfred
(Parish Priest)
Microloans: September 2020 update report from Fr. Alfred, Matumba
All projects are progressing very well though we have suspended the gathering of sewing women due to the present tragic situation of the pandemic. We, however, hope to resume the meetings soon. Many women are benefitting quite a lot from the Pig Farming and Baking Projects.
With the Baking Project, we have managed to reach out a relatively good number of women who are getting their daily bread from the project.
With Pig Farming Project, we are yet to reach out the second line of beneficiaries very soon since a good number of Pigs are having Piglets at present (which are expected to be distributed to other groups of women within the Parish).
We are happy and very thankful to see that many Piglets we distributed to the first line of beneficiaries had survived and grown up into mature Pigs so that they are now able to reproduce. See the Pigs’ Photos below with Piglets that are to be shared soon to other women.
Microloans: The Snack Baking Project in Matumba has trained 36 women. Report from Fr. Alfred
New Year greetings from Holy Angels-Matumba Catholic Parish, Malawi. Hopefully, all is well with you.
I am pleased to present to you a detailed report of the Microloan funds you previously advised us to share with Fr. Denis.
In the first place, Matumba Parish is very grateful for your timely donation and our women are extremely happy for empowering them through these Microloan Projects. This is the most difficult time in Malawi as many families hardly get their basic needs due to weak financial muscle. Your donation is a relief to many families as it will help them survive the hard times.
After deliberating with some Parish Executive members, we saw it wise and proper that women should use your donation for “Snack Baking Project”. As stated earlier on, Matumba Parish has four big centres and through our Catechists and other church leaders, we identified 9 women from each centre coming up with a total of 36 women.
We had a concise talk and then conducted a training (Practicals) with them. Then we took part of your donation to purchase materials for the training activities. After training, each woman was given money (Cash) as her Capital for the named business. This money is designated to buy all the necessary materials required for the business such as Flour, Sugar, Cooking oil, Basins, Pails, etc.
Each woman had been advised to give back to the Parish some Percentage of the given funds from the profits she makes so that in return the Parish should identify some more women in future to give them such returned profits for the same business Project.
Out of these 36 women, some women have been chosen as group leaders and the funds that will be refunded by these women will reach the Parish leaders via those women that have been chosen as leaders.
Below is a brief expenditure of the funds and the manner the funds have been distributed among our 36 women:
- Purchasing of training materials (Pales, Basins, Cooking oil, Flour, Yeast, sugar, etc.) = MK165,080.00
- Transportation of training materials and some women = MK73,500.00
- Funds given to each woman to run the business (36 women × MK45,000.00 each) = MK1, 620,000.00
TOTAL = MWK 1,858,580.00
This is how joyful our women were during the training and you can see their happiness from the above attached pictures.
Your donation is not only a blessing to Matumba Parish but also a relief to our Parishioners. Finally, we thank you once again and be assured of our prayers. With every good wish, I beg to remain; Fr. Alfred
Fr Alfred shares the joys and struggles from Matumba Catholic Parish.
It’s my pleasure to share with you our great joy at Matumba Parish. Matumba Catholic Parish has 19 Primary schools and Natiswe is one of our primary schools. The good news is that Natiswe has turned out to be one of the best primary schools in Malawi whose students have performed extra-ordinarily well. Unfortunately, most of the students are failing to go to their respective selected schools due to the lack of school fees and other basic needs.
Let’s keep these children in our prayers so that they may get the required assistance from the well-wishers for the students to continue with their studies. With lots of love & prayers, Fr. Alfred Kalumbi (Parish Priest)
From ZBSNews…
A few of the successful students
Photos of Natiswe learning shelters
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