REFLECTIONS ON A FAITHSHARE TWINNING VISIT BETWEEN NAMADZI, CHIRADZULU DISTRICT, MALAWI AND AUCHTERMUCHTY, FIFE, SCOTLAND; 26 APRIL – 7 MAY 2014

BACKGROUND

This is the fifth Faithshare Visit and the report will highlight the impact and deepening of our relationship. Previous reports were submitted in June 2009, November 2009, and May 2012. These contain much information about the people, places and perceptions on our journey in Faithshare.

THE JOURNEY SO FAR…..

June 2004 School partnership link commences between Pitteuchar East Primary School Glenrothes and Namadzi CCAP Primary School (supported by British Council Global Schools programme)

February 2009 AuchtermuchtyChurch Linking Group established - meeting with Kennoway and Windygates Partnership Group to share experience

June 2009 Faithshare visit of Rev J Mlera and Bennett Mkuwa, Session Clerk to Auchtermuchty

July 2009 Faithshare visit of Ian and Liz Macaulay to Namadzi

August 2010 Faithshare visit of Rev J Mlera and Jane Muwa, Choir and Guild Leader, to Auchtermuchty

April 2012 Faithshare visit of Ian and Liz Macaulay to Namadzi

April/May 2014 Fairthshare visit of Rev O Maliya and Austin Chirwa, Session Clerk, to Auchtermuchty

The purpose of this year’s visit was to implement actions from the Partnership Agreement signed in April 2012:

  • to develop reciprocal learning between the two church communities in worship and outreach through visits by those with leadership roles in praise and in working with children and young people;
  • encouraging and developing strong communication links through designated people and to engage church members and the wider community in the partnership.
  • supporting each other’s capacity building, and when that involves money, any funds raised should be spent on agreed projects which will be clearly identified and recorded in a costed proposal.

THE VISIT

The visit exceeded our expectations in deepening the understanding on our side of the challenges facing Namadzi Parish. Oscar’s superb communication skills engaged everyone he met, and left a lasting impression on all of us. Austin’s sensitivity and his perspectives as a water engineer helped identify the short-term priority for their church community – addressing the needs of the 1500 children attending Namadzi Primary School in restoring their water supply. What was achieved was a new sense of purpose for our church twinning, and a clear focus for the months and years ahead. All agreed that an immediate response was needed, and Auchtermuchty and St Mary’s Episcopal Church, Ladybank, joined to raise funds around a Wateraid fundraising event to address this.

SHARED PERSPECTIVES…..from Mr Chirwa

Austin found the meeting with Charlie and the Scotland Malawi Partnership offices at Edinburgh useful. ‘ We will make with their counterpart in Lilongwe to assist with our communication with Scotland, and keeping informed of visitors moving backwards and forwards from the 2 countries who can contribute to our partnership.’

As a water engineer, Austin gave us the background to the immediate challenge facing Namadzi Primary school. Previous projects with Scotland had enabled staff to establish a school garden which provides active learning experiences within the social studies and science curriculum. Other partner agencies had come along to sink a bore-hole which fed a water-tank to provide additional water. This supply ran out, requiring a connection to the water grid, which had a cost of around £10 per month. The school was unable to pay the water bills, and the water supply ran out. For some months pupils have had no water to drink or to wash their hands at school, other than what is brought by bucket from some distance. Austin outlined the solution succinctly:

‘ Reconnecting the water supply will cost MK 36000 (around £60); monthly bills will cost around MK6000 (£10). We will recommend that the school board forms a water committee to manage the funds raised and seek a sustainable solution to maintaining a water supply at all times; for example all pupils contribute a small donation each month (around MK10……..2pence!).

‘We have shared a great deal during our stay. When we talk about how the money to bring us here might otherwise be spent, I realise that what would be missing would be the deep understanding which develops when you walk, work and worship first-hand with your brothers and sisters in another place.’

SHARED PERSPECTIVE….from Rev Maliya

This was Oscar’s second visit to Scotland, having spent around 12 months studying for a degree in Edinburgh in 2006 while minister at Thyolo at the time. He fulfilled a number of roles on behalf of CCAP Blantyre Synod, including addressing the General Assembly on HIV/AIDS, accompanying Limbe choir on a visit to Orkney during the St Magnus Festival, and attending a Royal Garden Party at Holyrood Palace.

Of the visit this time, the highlights for Oscar included joining a weekly prayer group, which he found deeply moving. Oscar talked of his faith healing work in Malawi, and emerged from the evening saying, ‘Now I understand what this Faithshare programme is all about. Worshipping together is very powerful!’

A trip to Lindisfarne with Jim and Ann Redpath was another highlight.

‘From the moment I set foot on the Holy Isle I could feel that this is a very special place. Like Iona in some ways, but different in others’.

However it was Oscar’s addresses to the congregation over 2 Sundays that really deepened our understanding of the challenges of the life and work of Namadzi Church. Oscar spoke passionately about the 3 key challenges of his congregation: addressing the impact of HIV/AIDS in supporting over 30 child-headed orphan families; empowering women to support the improvement in the lives of these and other families facing destitution, and the building of youth leadership capacity which will bring sustain improvement and build a stronger future.

Oscar concluded, ‘Sharing this journey of ‘Walking, Working and Worshipping together’ is so important in giving us hope. We will always be your friends’

We were all impressed and moved by the clarity of Oscar’s vision for improvement. Practical ways of assisting Namadzi in realising their aspirations were discussed and an understanding established of how small actions could have a big impact. For example, providing travel and subsistence costs for those attending women’s empowerment and youth leadership training. For the youth trainers once their training is completed, to travel to other communities, the provision of a bicycle and cellphone would make the implementation of their role so much more effective.

A laptop to assist with congregational administration and communicating with Auchtermuchty is also a long-term target. Purchase of this items would be preferable here in Malawi, as they are cheaper and a maintenance contract would ensure sustainability.

Visiting Scotland-Malawi Partnership office

NEXT STEPS IN OUR FAITHSHARE JOURNEY

The Church Sessions and congregations of Auchtermuchty, Church of Scotland, and Namadzi Church of Central Africa Presbyterian, agree to our mission to ‘ Work, Walk and Worship Together’:

  • working together in developing reciprocal learning and fellowship, deepening our awareness and commitment to mission in both the wider world and at home
  • praying for each other and to care about each other’s worship, work and witness. In particular, during 2014/2015 at Harvest (June in Malawi; October in Scotland), Christmas, Easter to share agreed themes of worship, prayers and songs.
  • encouraging and developing strong communication links and engagement of church members and the wider community through partnership teams in both churches:

In Auchtermuchty: Church Minister; Session Clerk; Guild representative; 2 others

In Namadzi: Church Minister, Session Clerk; Guild representative; 2 others

  • supporting each other’s capacity building, and when that involves money, any funds raised should be spent on agreed projects which will be clearly identified and recorded in a costed proposal.
  • Through membership of the Scotland Malawi Partnership and Malawi Scotland Partnership we will increase the scope of our activities by joining with others in walking, working and worshipping together through the sharing of God’s love in different settings.
  • exploring possible partner churches for Naziwale and Macoha Prayer Houses (Vocational College for Disabled)

We are immensely grateful for the financial support, encouragement and leadership of Church of Scotland World Mission in continuing to embed our Partnership.

Oscar Maliya

Namadzi CCAP

James Redpath

Auchtermuchty Church