Sharing real hope in early days of the project

Sharing real hope in the early days of the project

Elim missionary Jackie Griffiths is facing a new challenge in Malawi

The realisation that life was now going to be different hit me upon arriving at Blantyre Airport in Malawi when they asked for my address and the name of my village. I was no longer going to be living in the city of Blantyre but instead moving into my new home, which had just been completed the week before I arrived, in a rural village just over one hour’s drive east from the city, overlooking the stunning view of Mt Mulanje, which has the highest peak in central Africa.

Usually, upon return from furlough, the duties you left behind are resumed, the house you locked up is returned, and you naturally fit into the familiar surroundings when the vendors selling their wares at the roadside welcome you back. But this year was different.

My work with the Elim Pentecostal Church of Malawi had finished, and I now faced a new challenge as an Elim missionary working with Chifona Trust, a Christian charity that seeks to work with the deaf, the hard of hearing and vulnerable students in Southern Malawi.

Sadly, the education system in government schools does not have the resources to adequately assist students who are deaf.

Many of these children would simply be sitting in class or even sat outside and neglected.

They were learning nothing, getting discouraged and would often refuse to attend classes.

We currently have five students under twelve years of age who come to us each weekday morning to learn Malawian sign language, as approved by Malawi’s National Association for the Deaf (MANAD), the local language Chichewa, English, maths, agriculture and computer studies.

For the older ones, we aim to focus on vocational skills that will be tailored to suit the individuals’ gifts, interests and abilities. Their guardians come one afternoon each week to help them better communicate with their child. We, as staff, also attend sign language lessons once a week which is both fun and challenging!

Children in Malawi don’t start primary school until they are six years of age. With the firm belief that early child development is very important, a preschool was started to prepare these young ones for primary school by teaching them in a fun and interactive way. There are up to 25 learners in the class, and they start their day with a nutritional bowl of porridge on arrival.

As well as the preschool, we hold an after-school programme for those children in the first year at primary school. The aim is to give them extra help in Chichewa, English and maths.

There can be around 100+ learners in each primary school class, so any extra help that can benefit them is welcome. The preschool and after-school programme is open to anyone in the surrounding villages.

Each Sunday, we host a youth group for those aged between 14-18 years. It started due to concerns over early pregnancies and school dropouts, as well as other moral issues. Fun is a major part of the afternoons, so board games, team games and socialising are all part of the time together.

Christian-based teaching has been well received, and various topics have been covered by a number of different guests. Twice a month, I have been involved in running Bible studies which are designed for youth in Africa and consist of dramas, drawings and discussions.

Out of the youth group, a running club has been established where some keen youngsters meet on Saturdays for training by an experienced coach. Recently we joined another running club in the district for a 10km race. A total of 39 competitors ran, and most completed the course well. Prizes were awarded, and our girls did particularly well, taking 2nd, 3rd and 4th places.

It remains early days in this new project. We continue to build relationships with people in the surrounding villages as well as additional construction work on the site. The foundation for a multi-functional hall is laid and cemented and will be used for meetings such as the youth and other community activities when completed. Progress is paused on the construction as we seek finance in order to complete it.

It is a privilege to serve God and the people of Malawi and to be able to share the hope and love that is found in and through the person of Jesus Christ.

This article first appeared in the December 2022 edition of Direction Magazine. For further details, please click here.