The Teresian Sisters have reaffirmed their commitment to supporting women in Malawi by equipping them with various skills that will enable them to become economically self-reliant in their households.
Speaking on Monday at Mtima Woyera Parish in the Archdiocese of Lilongwe during a graduation ceremony, the Sisters celebrated women who successfully completed training in tailoring and designing.
Sister Clementina Mkandira, one of the senior leaders of the congregation, announced plans to establish a women’s development school in Balaka District.
Sr. Mkandira We want to improve the lives of women in Malawi
She explained that the school will provide women with practical skills to help them achieve financial independence.
“This development center will serve the whole country. Every woman interested in learning different skills will be enrolled. Our aim is to improve the lives of women in Malawi,” she said.
Sister Teleza Mulenga, who is overseeing the project, expressed joy at the progress made by the women who completed the training. She noted that their achievements give hope for a brighter future.
“I am so impressed with this first pilot phase of our project here at Mtima Woyera Parish. We didn’t know how big the impact would be, but looking at what these women have achieved in just three months, we believe that once we fully implement this project, it will be even more successful,” she said.
She added that the planned development center in Balaka will offer training in multiple skills, including tailoring, cookery, soap-making, and other income-generating activities.
Graduating women receiving their certificates
Grace Chanza Gondwe, the course instructor, expressed optimism that the women will continue applying the skills they have acquired in their communities and pass them on to others.
One of the graduates, Precious Phiri, applauded the Teresian Sisters for the initiative, saying her life has greatly changed.
“I will now be able to provide for my family through a tailoring business,” she said.
One of the women showcasing her designs
The tailoring course, which began in September with 20 women from Mtima Woyera Parish, has seen 14 women successfully graduate.
Fr. Richard Chikumbu from Mtima Woyera Parish, blessing the new sewing machines
The Auxiliary Bishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe, Right Reverend Vincent Mwakhwawa, has urged families to take the lead in promoting a prayerful life and praying for leaders across the world.
Bishop Mwakhwawa made the appeal during the Eucharistic celebration of Family Day and the Solemnity of Jesus Christ the King at Maula Cathedral Parish on Sunday, 23rd November 2025.
Bishop Mwakhwawa congratulating the family of Mr Kamwaza for clocking 65 years in Marriage
His Lordship said families should remain firm in their Christian faith and continue teaching one another the importance of family life, with the aim of serving God faithfully and raising trustworthy leaders.
He emphasized that as the Church celebrates the Solemnity of Christ the King, Christians should dedicate themselves to praying for peace in the country and for leaders in their various responsibilities of serving the people, emulating the leadership of Jesus Christ.
Bishop Mwakhwawa blessing a family from the international community
His Lordship further highlighted that as the Catholic Church in Malawi offers thanksgiving prayers for the elections held in September this year, Christians should continue to pray for lasting peace in the nation and for its leaders.
“The Church in Malawi, through Malawi Conference of Catholic Bishops (MCCB), today offered prayers of thanksgiving after the peaceful general elections. In Malawi, we have received a great miracle of peace through the elections. We were very worried, as you know, that before the elections, there was violence and many issues, but God gave us a wonderful gift of peace afterwards,” Bishop Mwakhwawa said.
Family from Small Christian Communities under Maula Cathedral Parish, receiving blessings after renewing their marriage vows
Representing families, Mr. and Mrs. Chando echoed Bishop Mwakhwawa’s call, stressing that the family should be a place where members teach one another about both Christian life and physical well-being.
“Bishops, priests, presidents, and other leaders come from families. Therefore, it is important that within families we teach one another about spirituality, so that leaders who emerge will always be people of integrity,” they said.
During the celebration, families renewed their marriage vows and also joined the Catholic Church in Malawi in offering thanksgiving prayers for the elections held in September.
The Association of Women in Religious Institutes of Malawi (AWIRIM) Health Care Network has expressed satisfaction with the progress of the first phase of its health care support project for people living in rural areas.
This was highlighted during a meeting held in Lilongwe, where sisters from different congregations involved in the project reviewed the outcomes of the first phase and discussed strategies for implementing the second phase.
Speaking at the meeting, Project Coordinator Sister Teleza Mulenga of the Teresian Sisters said the gathering provided an opportunity to reflect on key issues, particularly on how to strengthen the delivery of health care services in the communities where the sisters are working.
Project Coordinator Sister Teleza Mulenga providing more insights during the meeting
Sister Mulenga noted that they are pleased with the results from the first phase, though she acknowledged that there are areas that need improvement to ensure greater success in the second phase.
“From the reports we have received from different congregations from the first phase of the project, we are satisfied, and we also hope that the second phase will be more successful based on what we have discussed and outlined from this meeting,” she said.
Sister Maureen Chalamanda of the Congregation of Our Lady of Amersfoort, who serves as a nurse at Kalembo Hospital in the Catholic Diocese of Chikwawa, explained that the project has made it easier for many rural residents to access health care for various illnesses.
Sister Maureen Chalamanda from Sisters of Our Lady of Amersfoot presenting her presentation during the meeting
Meanwhile, Sister Alexina Mwale of the Sisters of Charity of Ottawa, serving at Ludzi Hospital in the Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe, expressed hope that the health care initiative will continue to expand in her area as her congregation has now joined the network.
Currently, two congregations, the Sisters of Charity of Ottawa and the Sisters of Divine Providence, have joined the network.
The AWIRIM Health Care Network is working to provide health services to rural communities, focusing on diseases such as non-communicable diseases, hypertension, mental health disorders and diabetes.
Christians at St. Phillip the Apostle Parish in Area 44, under the Archdiocese of Lilongwe, have been urged to unite and contribute towards the construction of a priest’s house at the parish.
Speaking today, Thursday 13th November 2025, during the groundbreaking ceremony of the project, Dean of Mtima Woyera Deanery, Father Augustine Katundu, who represented Archbishop George Desmond Tambala, commended the parishioners for initiating such an important development.
Fr. Katundu emphasized that having priests reside at the parish is vital for effective pastoral work.
Fr. Katundu officially opens the construction works
He noted that the archdiocese is pleased with the progress at St. Phillip the Apostle Parish, saying it reflects the parish’s strong vision for growth despite being newly established.
“In unity, there is strength, and this is about resource mobilization. The Christians here have the duty to fulfill their obligation by contributing and taking part in this project so that it can be accomplished,” he said.
St Phillip the Apostle Parish priest Father John Thawale also taking his turn to launch the projectSCCs chairpersons with Father Katundu, demonstrating that they will take a role in building the priest house
Chairperson of the Parish Development Committee, Henry Mumba, expressed confidence that the project will be completed, citing the commitment and generosity already shown by parishioners.
Mumba leading the team to a construction site where the Priest house will be built
He explained that building a priest’s house will save the parish significant costs currently spent on renting accommodation for priests.
“As the development committee, together with parishioners, we will strive to ensure this project is completed so that our priests can live within the parish itself,” Mumba said.
The design for the Priest house
Innocent Chikoti of Wassie Construction company, which will construct the house, assured parishioners that the work will be carried out professionally and be completed within the agreed timeframe.
Innocent Chikoti from Wassie Construction Company
The construction project for the house is estimated at 260 million kwacha and is expected to be completed within seven months.
St. Phillip the Apostle Parish was officially opened on 9 July 2022 and currently comprises six outstations.
Two powerful initiatives led by Mirriam Foundation and Congregation of Teresian Sisters are making a profound impact on vulnerable communities in Malawi, offering hope, dignity, and economic empowerment to women and people living with HIV.
The Mirriam Foundation has been widely praised for its different transformative initiatives among people living with HIV in Dedza District.
Mirriam from Netherlands who is the founder of this foundation, established this foundation in the past 15 years after encountering different groups of people in Bembeke area Traditional Authority Kamenyagwaza, especially people living with HIV and AIDS.
During a recent visit by Elizabeth Brunner from Germany, support groups under Senior Chief Kamenyagwaza expressed heartfelt appreciation for the foundation’s efforts in improving their livelihoods.
After visiting different supoort groups, Brunner commended the visible transformation in the lives of beneficiaries, noting that despite their HIV status, many individuals are now thriving through empowerment activities.
Brunner and Sister Mulenga, appreciating how the support groups are keeping their pigs
“I will advocate for more support from well-wishers when I return to Germany,” she said, “so that these support groups can continue living healthy and dignified lives.”
Denis Chinthochi, chairperson of the support groups, highlighted the foundation’s impact. “The lives of those affected have greatly improved in their households thanks to the assistance we receive from the Mirriam Foundation and Sister Teleza’s guidance.”
Mkutu support group having interaction with Sister Mulenga on the progress of their group
Meanwhile Sister Teleza Mulenga who is the contact person for Mirriam Foundation. said she is also impressed with what the support groups are currently doing through pig farming initiatives and farming, which said there is great change to the lives of many people.
” from the visit, I have realized there is alot of change since I became a contact person for the foundation. There is alot of change which is happening to the people, for instance I have followed the lives of people, looking at them them health wise, their health status has been improved from time to time with different interventions which they receive from Mirriam Foundation.”
Currently, fifteen groups under Senior Chief Kamenyagwaza benefit from the foundation’s support, which includes food aid, pig farming, and access to seeds for crops such as maize and Irish potatoes.
Patricia Malizani from Ng’ona Support group one of the beneficiaries, enjoying the fruits of Pig initiative under Mirriam Foundation
One inspiring testimony came from Ellen David of Kadammanja Village. Diagnosed with HIV in 2007, Ellen endured years of illness before beginning antiretroviral therapy. Today, she radiates joy and strength, crediting the Mirriam Foundation’s support groups for her renewed health and ability to care for her children. “These initiatives have uplifted my family and inspired many others to reclaim their lives,” she said.
Meanwhile, at St. Mary’s in Dzaleka Refugee Camp under Nanthomba Parish, a Catholic women Association expressed deep gratitude to the Congregation of Teresian Sisters for their skill-building programs aimed at economic self-reliance.
Dzaleka Refugee Women being trained on how to make dish wash soap
Through training in soap making, body lotion making, and other practical lessons, women are now equipped to launch small businesses and support their families. “We face many challenges in caring for our households,” one participant shared, “but these skills have given us hope and a path to transformation.”
She also highlighted that with the withdrawal of USAID under United States of America, as refugees there are now facings more challenges at the camp, like shortage of food and other basic human resources.
The women also voiced their openness to receiving further training and support to improve their daily lives.
Sister Teresa Mulenga, who is the projectcoordinator, emphasized the importance of empowering women even within refugee settings. “We saw the need to equip these women so they can stand on their own,” she said. “They deserve the opportunity to thrive.”
Sister Mulenga training women how to make body lotion
These stories reflect the unwavering commitment to social justice, community development, and the dignity of every person especially those living on the margins.
Through faith-driven action, the Mirriam Foundation and the Congregation of Teresian Sisters are helping communities rise, one life at a time.
Parishioners praying mission Rosary as they conclude mission month.
On 31st October 2025, the Catholic Church in the Archdiocese of Lilongwe officially concluded the Mission Month celebrations held at St Bernadette Parish in Chitula.
The Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese, His Lordship Bishop Mwakhwawa, commended the parishioners for their unity and dedication throughout the various activities that marked the Mission Month.
Bishop Mwakhwawa encouraged them to apply the lessons learned by spreading the Word of God across all Small Christian Communities and by committing themselves to the service and supporting the Church.
Bishop Mwakhwawa sharing his homily to the parishioners to conclude this year’s Mission Month
“My observation through the celebrations and the visits is that the 2025 Mission Month celebration has been excellent,” said Bishop Mwakhwawa.
His Lordship also praised the collaboration between the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) office and the Archdiocesan Mission Team for their efforts in animating Christians throughout Chitula Parish during the Mission Month.
Father Geoffrey Chikapa, Director of PMS in the Archdiocese of Lilongwe, expressed satisfaction with how the Mission Month unfolded, highlighting the enthusiasm and commitment shown by many Christians during the period.
Father Geoffrey Chikapa, Archdiocesan PMS director
Father Chikapa further announced that PMS has scheduled follow-up visits to Chitula Parish as part of its ongoing monitoring efforts.
“As PMS, we will return to Chitula Parish to assess whether the teachings are being implemented and to engage with Tilitonse animators and other associations such as CWA and other Church organizations,” he said.
Parish Chairperson Mr. Damiano Matchona noted that parishioners have greatly benefited from this year’s Mission Month and expressed hope for significant growth in their spiritual lives and commitment to the Church.
Mr Damiano Matchona Chairperson for St Bernadette, Chitula Parish
Mission Month is observed annually by the Catholic Church worldwide. In 2026, the Church will celebrate 100 years of Mission Month observance.
During this year’s celebrations, parishioners were taught about their responsibilities in supporting the Church, the importance of prayer, evangelization, and active participation in various Catholic organizations.
One of the fruits of this year’s Mission Month is the establishment of the Catholic Family Movement (CFM) at Chitula Parish.
Bishop Mwakhwawa blessing families (CFM) after renewing their vowsArchdiocese mission team from Legio of Mary, Divine Mercy and Servant of Charity handling over booklets and other materials to the Catechists to be used by the associations
Next year, the 2026 Mission Month celebrations will be hosted by Manyani Parish, St Francis De Sales, in the Deanery of Madisi.
Parishioners praying mission Rosary as they conclude mission month.
Parishioners praying mission Rosary as they conclude mission month.
