The Holy Childhood Coordinator for the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) Office of the Archdiocese of Boston in the United States of America, Daria Braithwaite, has concluded her first mission experience visit to Salima Parish in the Archdiocese of Lilongwe.

During her visit, Daria engaged with various stakeholders, including Christians, catechists, and school administrators, to understand the challenges and successes of the church’s mission in the area.

During the visit at St. Gabriel Outstation (Katelera Zone), which has over 3,672 Christians, Daria heard about the challenges faced by the community.

“The number of Christians is always growing here at St. Gabriel, and that is why we have a vision of having our own parish based on the number of Christians and outstations that we have here. The coming in of visitors here has really motivated us,” said Lawrent Mkungula, the catechist for the St. Gabriel Zone.

Daria also visited Kaphatenga Outstation (St. Teresa) and a mission hospital, where Gilbert Mwasiya, chairperson of the church council, highlighted plans to construct a new church and secondary school.

At Kalonga Full Primary School, a Catholic school under Salima Parish, Daria was impressed by the school’s outstanding performance.

“In terms of our performance as a school, we are doing very great. But we have challenges in terms of lack of school blocks, office administration, desks, teachers’ houses, toilets, and financial resources to finalize completing the construction of the school façade,” said Mr. Mayingiso Tembo, headteacher of the school.

The headteacher also appreciated the financial support provided by the Pontifical Mission Societies under the Holy Childhood project, which enabled the school to construct a fence.

After visiting these places, Daria expressed her gratitude and joy at seeing the church’s growth and mission in the Archdiocese of Lilongwe.

“I was so excited to see how happy Christians are here, especially children, and how they have welcomed me at an outstation even though it is not a parish, and also seeing different projects being undertaken here by the PMS,” she said.

Daria dancing with Servants of Charity members at Katelera zone, Archdiocese of Lilongwe

Daria with the youth at Katelera zone

Katelera zone give Daria a goat as a gift

Representing the Parish Priest for Salima Parish, Father John Kaliwamba described the visit as a motivation to the Christians.

“We are happy about the visit by the PMS from the Boston Archdiocese to see and hear some of our successful stories as far as evangelization is concerned and also to hear from us the gaps that are there in our different mission areas and schools.”

The visit is part of the mission experience program for the PMS office from the Boston Archdiocese, aimed at fostering collaboration and understanding between different Catholic communities.

Written By Titus Jata Phiri

Photo Credit: Eric Norman Mkwaira

The Lilongwe Water Board (LWB) has officially handed over eight newly constructed water kiosks to Area 45 in Lilongwe. This development is set to provide clean and safe water to over 5,000 residents.

Speaking during the handover ceremony, LWB Board Chairperson Inkosi ya Makosi Mbelwa V stated that the kiosks were built at a cost of over 20 million Kwacha.

“This potable and clean water will help the people of this area overcome the challenges they previously faced due to unclean water,” said Inkosi Mbelwa V.

The Minister of Health, Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda, who served as the guest of honor, commended the board’s initiative and emphasized the importance of clean water in promoting public health.

“Water is a critical component in preventing many diseases. The arrival of clean water in this area will help reduce the spread of illnesses such as cholera and COVID-19,” she stated. Cholera had severely affected the area in 2022.

Welcoming the development, Lilongwe Likuni Member of Parliament and Minister of Gender and Social Welfare, Jean Sendeza, urged residents to safeguard the kiosks to ensure long-term benefits for the community.

She noted that the initiative reflects the government’s ongoing commitment to expanding access to clean water and sanitation across the country.

One of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Fane Nawene, expressed her gratitude for the kiosks, saying that access to clean water will help protect them from diseases caused by unsafe and contaminated water.

By Monica Chinyama Lipiya

The Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) has reaffirmed its commitment in ensuring that Malawi hosts free, fair, and credible elections by making sure that peace prevails across the country.

This commitment has been made during a training of trainers’ academy on electoral management skills in Lilongwe, ahead of the 16 September general elections.

CCJP Programs Officer Gollie Khonje, highlighted that CCJP believes preventing conflicts and ensuring everyone’s participation in free and fair elections is crucial for the nation.

“We believe that conflict can arise from embedded issues that have happened before and are also happening now. So, we believe if we pinpoint those issues, we can be able to prevent violence,” explained Khonje.

Khonje called for collaborative efforts among various stakeholders if the nation is to achieve its goal of having free, fair, and violence-free elections, observing the current state of peace as worrisome.

“I think we’re not doing well. I would say there’s more that we need to do to prevent any escalation beyond this point. So, we believe if indeed we can take part in this, any initiatives that are there, we can do it,” she added.

In his remarks, CCJP Acting Coordinator in the Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe and a participant in the training, Fletcher Mbewe, expressed confidence that the knowledge gained will help them sensitize communities on the need for peace.

“As you know, CCJP, we advocate for peaceful elections. So, with these coming elections, we are supposed to take part in making sure that these elections are free and fair, and also, we need to sensitize those people about the importance of them taking part in elections,” Mbewe said.

Mbewe then committed to championing the message of peace in communities to achieve the goal of a peaceful election.

“We have to go to the communities and make sure we sensitize them. So, as far as elections are concerned, they should, one, take part in the electoral process. They should also avoid getting involved in violent activities. And also, they should also make sure they manage conflicts when they arise,” he added.

As September 16 draws closer, the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) will on Monday, 14 July, launch the official campaign period, with a number of stakeholders calling for unity and tolerance among various political parties for the period to be violence-free.

The Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) says the country is not fully prepared to conduct a free and fair campaign period, citing recent events that the organisation believes undermine the democratic process.

The organization’s assessment comes in light of recent violence, believed to have been fuelled by political differences.

“Considering the recent events that have occurred in the country, we would say that, as a country, we are probably not yet ready to have a truly free and fair election,” explained Denis Mwafulirwa, CHRR Programs Officer, in an interview.

“When we talk about a free and fair election, we are also looking at whether people are free to express themselves in a way that is not disrupted, whether by the state or by any other actor, operating independently or under influence. Looking at the incidents that have happened, I would say that as a country, we are still not ready.”

Mwafulirwa’s remarks come as the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) is set to launch the official campaign period for the September 16 general elections on July 14, 2025.

According to Mwafulirwa, the incidents witnessed recently suggest a shortfall in this fundamental aspect of electoral freedom.

“Looking at the incidents that have happened, I would say that as a country we are still not ready,” he reiterated.

He emphasized the critical role of political leaders and parties, as well as institutions entrusted with maintaining safety and security, including the Malawi Police Service and the Malawi Defence Force. He urged them to ensure they are helping to create an environment that is free for all.

“Looking at how political leaders themselves, and political parties themselves, have handled situations like this, including those institutions mandated to provide safety and security, the Malawi Police, the Malawi Defence Force, we are in a situation where we need to ask ourselves what we need to do to make sure that the upcoming elections, especially the campaign, create an environment that is free and fair for everyone,” he urged.

The country has been grappling with political violence, with various incidents recorded, mostly among major political parties, as the September 16 general elections draw closer.

In a remarkable display of solidarity and service, the Congregation of Teresian Sisters in Malawi have renewed their commitment to uplift Catholic women across the country by equipping them with transformative life skills through their ongoing Women Liberation Project, the sisters are fostering self-reliance, environmental stewardship, and community cohesion in all dioceses nationwide.

Project Coordinator Sister Teleza Mulenga voiced her satisfaction with the momentum of the initiative across dioceses and emphasized the importance of strategic evaluation.

“I am so impressed with the reports on what these women are doing in their dioceses. Regarding the challenges they’ve outlined, we are going to sit down and see how we can move forward,” she affirmed.

Speaking during a plenary meeting with representatives from the Catholic Women’s Association (CWA), Sister Colleta Bester, Superior Mother General of the Teresian Sisters, expressed her deep satisfaction with how women have embraced and applied their new skills in local communities.

“We are happy with how women are using the knowledge gained. We are now planning to work with more sister’s congregations to reach every corner of Malawi,” she said.

Over 4,000 women have now been trained face-to-face, while 230 women have been certified as trainers, enabling ripple effects throughout their communities.

Reports from Karonga, Mangochi dioceses, and Archdiocese of Lilongwe highlight training of women in various skills where Karonga diocese has managed to traing about 3200 women.

In Dedza Diocese, 1,500 trees have been planted with the help of Bishop Adrian Chifukwa who provided land to these women in also responding to late Pope Francis letter “Laudato Si,” in taking care of the environment.

Dioceses like Mzuzu, Zomba, Archdiocese of Blantyre and Chikwawa diocese are leading the way in inclusive training, involving men in efforts to combat gender-based violence and promote economic self-sufficiency.

During the certificate award presentations to the trainers, Donex Msowoya, Senior Quality Monitoring Officer from Malawi Bureau of Standards (MBS), assured continued support in guiding women to meet market requirements.

“We’ll continue providing knowledge and skills to ensure these women produce quality goods that can always compete at the market.”

CWA National Chairperson, Christina Lakiyoni, encouraged women nationwide to join such initiatives, stressing that training is the first step towards independence.

“We call on women to rise, take part, and transform their families and communities.”

The partnership between the Teresian Sisters and Catholic Women’s Association in all dioceses is more than a project. It’s a movement. One that’s empowering thousands of Malawian women to take charge of their future, uplift their communities, and nurture a more equitable society.

Through the project, the women are being trained in soap and body lotion making, fertilizer making from urine, charcoal briquettes crafting, Gender-based violence education, tree planting and environmental conservation.

By Titus Jata Phiri