Catholic Missionaries helping jobless in Malawi

Catholic Missions Work in Malawi

Population: 17,964,697
Percent Below Poverty Line: 53%

Malawi is a landlocked country in central Africa with about 18 million people, 85% of which live in rural areas. The Catholic Diocese of Karonga located in Northern Malawi was founded on July 20, 2010 by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI in order to address the growing Catholic population in the area. Of the 500,000 people located in the Diocese of Karonga 14%, which is about 65,000 people, are Catholic. The diocese has 15 priests serving almost 4,500 people each.

Explore the tabs below to learn more about the project in Malawi.

Diocese of Karonga

Training Pastoral Agents

About Training Lay Leaders St. Ignatius of Loyola St. Matthias’St. Michael’s St. Joseph the Worker

The Mission of Karonga

Training session for Catholic priests in Malawi

The Diocese of Karonga was recently established in Malawi, Central East Africa. It covers 4,633 square miles. Currently, it has seven parishes, and 15 priests who serve 308 miles each, by car that’s a six hour car ride over mountainous unpaved road, by foot it’s a twenty day walk to get from one side of their parish to the other.

With only 15 priests to serve the entire diocese, the diocese cannot open more parishes to lessen the distances within parishes and between. In order to ease the challenges of the pastoral presence of the priests parishes are divided into Outstations which are run by lay leaders.

With the support of Catholic World Mission and our donors, the Diocese of Karonga is engaging in socio-economic uplift of the lives of the people they serve. We believe that it is not enough to preach the Gospel without attending to their socio-economic needs. In underdeveloped places in Malawi over 60% of the people live on less than a dollar per day!

It’s common for food shortages to occur in the winter months, and for floods to damage crops in the summer. The program is in line with the Council of Fathers of the Second Vatican Council says, “The joys and the hopes, the griefs and the anxieties of the men of this age, especially those who are poor or in any way afflicted, these are the joys and hopes, the griefs and anxieties of the followers of Christ.” (Gaudium et Spes, No. 1) This program aims to strengthen the capacity of pastoral agents in order to have efficient and effective collaboration in their pastoral activities while helping them address their socioeconomic needs.

Catholic Missionary training new priests in Malawi

Pastoral Laity

Discussion among Catholic Priests in Malawi

Catholic Lay Missionaries in Training in Malawi

The lay leaders carry out the Sunday Liturgy by reading the readings and having a communion service when the priests are not available, give instructions to catechumens, prepare children for First Communion, and the Sacrament of Confirmation and also visit the sick and elderly. The lay leaders work collaboratively with catechists and priests, but have not been formally trained until now.

Previously the lay leaders have never received formal catechesis to know the Catholic faith on more than the surface level. Formal training allows the lay leaders to prepare catechists and catechumens for the sacraments with confidence. They are captivated by the love of Jesus Christ, and want to learn how to responsibly share the faith without interpreting it through cultural norms of witch craft and traditional African religions.

“This training has been relevant. As Christians we are mandated to participate in the mission and life of the Church. It is very important to work as a team.” Michael Kayange, participant from St. Matthias

Most of the lay leaders in the Diocese of Karonga are converts from other Christian denominations and traditional religions, and they do not really know how the Catholic Church functions. Of the 30 participants of the training session at St. Michael’s Parish, 21 were converts from other Christian Churches; representing about 70% of the participants. One of the cultural practices in Malawi is called Kupiumbira, it allows a family’s debt to be repaid by giving one of their daughters in marriage. This is contrary to Gospel teachings and a violation of the girls’ rights and choice for marriage.

That is why the training of lay leaders is of great importance. Not only are Gospel values instilled, but lay people gain confidence as they have acquired skills in Christian leadership and knowledge in the Catholic faith. The training session has empowered them to carry out effectively and efficiently their pastoral ministries in collaboration with their parish priest.

Training Session for Catholic Lay Missionaries in Malawi

Training for Catholic Missionaries in Malawi

Training Catholic Missionaries in Malawi

Catholic Lay Missionaries Training Class in Malawi

St. Ignatius of Loyola Training Session

In December of 2015, St. Ignatius of Loyola, a parish in the Diocese of Karonga, Malawi held Catechumen and Evangelization Training Sessions. Fr. John Moyo serves the community there. For three days 29 lay people met to learn how to carry out their leadership role in the Catholic Church. Of the 29 lay people 13 are converts to the Catholic faith. They shared they received catechesis as they were preparing for Baptism, but this was not enough to live out their Catholic faith or share it with others.

The participants shared the training sessions helped them to gain confidence as they have acquired skills in Christian leadership and knowledge of the Catholic Faith. They feel empowered to effectively and efficiently carry out their pastoral ministries in collaboration with their parish priests.

Parishioners of the Catholic Church in Malawi

Women attending Catholic Lay Missionary Training in Malawi

What Do the Participants from St. Matthias say?

“The training session is helpful to me because it will assist me to serve better as a catechist. It will help me to live a better Christian life and hence help me to my ministry of evangelization.” – Laurent Msukwa, Catechist of Sebe Pastoral Zone of St. Matthias Parish

“I have been touched by the importance of deepening my faith so that I can lead a better life, and it is this faith that can help me to be a good Catholic and therefore, to serve better as a Catechist. This will help my Pastoral Zone to grow in Christian life.”- Isaac Kayange, Catechist for Menge Pastoral Zone

“I have learnt something about Christian leadership. I have also been touched by the importance of deepening my faith. It is this faith that would help me to encourage my fellow Christians and to participate in the life and mission of the Church.” – Collina Kuyokwa, Vice Secretary of Sanga Outstation of St. Matthias Parish

“I feel my faith has been renewed. What I have learned here I will also share with others.” – Anne Pwele, Treasurer of the Parish Pastoral Council of St. Matthias Parish

“I feel empowered to evangelize. My knowledge about the Catholic Church has increased. This will also help my family and my children. With what I have learnt, I can assist others to understand better our Catholic faith.” – Juliana Masebo is the Secretary of Sebe Outstation

“This training has been relevant. As Christian we are mandated to participate in the mission and life of the Church. It is very important to work as a team.” – Michael Kayange, Chairperson of the Parish Liturgical Committee

“This session has been very fruitful because it touched much on the importance of deepening our faith as agents of evangelization. It is only with sound faith that I can share with others and participate in the mission of the Church. This session has revived in me the spirit of participating actively in evangelization.” – Solomon Silumbu, Chairperson of Bukanga Outstation of St. Matthias Parish

“This training session is good. We need to be having such sessions two or three times in a year. They will help us to be good Christian leaders and agents of evangelization. This session will assist me to lead well my Outstation and to revive the spirit of Christians in my outstation. I have also been touched by the importance of working as a team in building up the Church which is the Body of Christ.” – Gabriel Mbughi, Chairperson of Nyungu Outstation in St. Matthias Parish

See more photos from St. Matthias below:

St. Michael’s Training Session

St. Michael’s Parish is the largest parish in the Diocese of Karonga. It has 12,252 baptized Catholics, and 1,389 Catechumens. The parish is divided into five pastoral zones, but only has two priests to serve them! This is why it is so important that the laity are trained to collaborate with the priests to teach the catechism, and prepare members for their sacraments.

Like in other parishes of the Diocese of Karonga, most of the lay leaders in St. Michael’s Parish are converts from other Christian denominations and traditional religions, and they do not really know how the Catholic Church functions. Of the 30 participants of the training session at St. Michael’s Parish, 21 were converts from other Christian Churches; representing about 70% of the participants. That is why the training of lay leaders is of great importance for them to gain confidence as they have acquired skills in Christian leadership and knowledge in the Catholic faith.

Catholic Lay Misionary Training Session in Malawi

Catholic Lay Missionary Students learning in classroom in Malawi

Representative of the Legion of Mary in Malawi

What Do Participants from St. Michael Say?

“The finance council should always involve the whole Church in planning its activities.” – Judith Makondetsa, Secretary of the Parish Finance Council

“With this training I will be able to involve the laity in all activities in my Pastoral Zone.” – Yohane Kawonga, Catechist of Kaseye Pastoral Zone

“This training session is fruitful and relevant. It is an eye-opener; there were so many things which I overlooked. The knowledge I have gained will assist me greatly in ministry.” – Rhoda Chiwowa, Catechetical Advisor for St. Michael’s Parish

“This training is very beneficial to me as it has empowered me to evangelize.” – Francis Msukwa, Chairperson of Iband LCC

“I have learnt about the importance of having an action plan.” – Gerlad Mugala, Chairperson of the Finance Council of Kameme LCC

“The training has rejuvenated in me the spirit of playing an active role in the evangelization mission of the Church.” – Anastazia Mwanja, representing the Legion of Mary

See more photos from the training session at St. Michael’s below:

St. Joseph the Worker Training Session

From January 18th to January 21, 2016, 28 members of the Parish Pastoral Council attended the training session taking place at St. Joseph the Worker Sub-Parish. St. Joseph the Worker has 3,320 baptized Catholics, and 2,377 Catechumens. The Parish Priest is Reverend Monsignor Denis Chitete and is assisted by Reverend Fr. Joseph Moloka Sikwese. Reverend Monsignor Denis and Reverend Fr. Joseph serve many out-stations around St. Joseph the Worker. It is very mountainous, and the dirt roads can be difficult to pass.

Small Group of Catholic Missionaries in Malawi

On account of the vastness of the sub-parish and the poor roads it takes a long time for pastoral ministers to visit the people who are based in the rural out-stations. In the absence of priests it is the lay leaders who carry out pastoral activities. Of the 28 participants of the training session at St. Joseph the Worker, 16 were converts to the Catholic faith, representing about 57% of the participants. That is why the training of lay leaders is of great importance for them to gain confidence as they have acquired skills in Christian leadership and knowledge in the Catholic faith.

Group Discussion among Catholic Missionaries in Malawi

What Do the Participants from St. Joseph the Worker Say?

“I have learnt a lot of new things. This session has empowered me to evangelize more.” – Emmanuel Gondwe, Chairperson of Mpata Pastoral Zone

“This session is an eye-opener to me. I will have to play an active role in the mission and life of the Church.” –
Cecilia Mwanyongo, Chairperson of St. Anne’s LCC

“This training session has been very helpful. I have learnt the importance of involving others in my ministry as a catechist. For the mission of the Church to be fulfilled collaborative ministry is very necessary.” – Catechist Gondwe of St. Joseph Pastoral Zone

“I was not born a Catholic, I was converted by my husband, and now I’m a leader. Through this training I have gained the confidence to be a leader.” – Anastazia Nagwebe, Chairperson of St. Michael’s LCC

“Many thanks to Catholic World Mission for their financial support to enable us to have this training. This is a very good training. It has empowered each one of us to evangelize.” – Cornelius Mwenetete, Chairperson of Mpata LCC

Catholic Missionary Training Session in Malawi

Catholic Missionaries Outside Lay Missionary School in Malawi

See more photos from St. Joseph the Worker below:

Training Pastoral Agents (Continued)

St. Anne’s St. Steven’s St. Mary’s Diocesan Council Training Updates How You Can Help

What Do the Participants from St. Anne’s Say?

“The session is very good. I have learnt that as a Christian, I have responsibilities in the Church. I have been empowered participate actively in the mission of evangelization.” – Thomas Mtonga, Chairperson of St. Anne’s Pastoral Zone.

“Before my baptism, I underwent the Catechumenate, but it was not enough. There were so many things I did not know. This training workshop has been good, it has built confidence in me as a leader in the Church.” – Patrick Kanyimbo, Vice Chairperson of Wovwe Pastoral Zone

“What I can say about this training session is that it has added a lot of value on me as a leader and a Christian” – William Ng’ambi, Secretary of Mulowe LPC

“I am a convert from CCAP, and I did not understand much about the Catholic Church. The training session has helped me to understand better the role of the laity in the Church and Society at large.” – Maria Kamanga, Treasurer of Mulowe Pastoral Zone

“This session has been very fruitful. There are somethings as leader, I took them for granted, but now I will change for the better. We need to be holding such sessions regularly, they will build a better church.” – Moses Nyirenda, Secretary of Hangalawe Zone

See more photos from St. Anne below:

$Small group discussions at St. Anne\'s - Malawi$ $Small group discussions at St. Anne\'s - Malawi$ $Group photo from St. Anne\'s training - Malawi$ $Small group discussions at St. Anne\'s - Malawi$ $Maria Kamanga, participant at St. Anne\'s training - Malawi$ $Mosignor Denis Chitete, training at St. Anne\'s training - Malawi$ $Moses Nyirenda, participant at St. Anne\'s training - Malawi$ $Patrick Wovwe, participant at St. Anne\'s training - Malawi$ $Thomas Mtonga, participant at St. Anne\'s training - Malawi$ $William Ngambi Mulowe, participant at St. Anne\'s training - Malawi$

St. Steven’s Training Session

With the assistance of Catholic World Mission, St. Steven’s, located in the Diocese of Karonga, is carrying out training sessions for the lay leaders of the parish as well as the clergy to create a collaboration between the priests and lay pastoral agents. St. Steven’s training session in March 2016 brought 28 laity to the parish to learn how to efficiently and effectively carry out pastoral activities in the absence of clergy. They were taught catechesis and given materials to equip them to be better lay leaders in the church.

The unique feature of St. Steven’s Parish is that many people come to Church, but very few receive the Blessed Sacrament. It is not because many people are not baptized, but it is because either they just got married without blessing their marriage in the Church or they are polygamous. This is the reason why there is need to conduct on-going formation not only for leaders, but also for Christians at large. With training new lay leaders to evangelize, and spread the truth of the Gospels we know the light of Christ will prevail in the Diocese of Karonga.

What Do the Participants from St. Steven Say?

“I have learnt many things from this session. The Church is not only the clergy, but all of us: Christians and clergy” – Silvia Ipopo, Treasurer of St. Kasantha Pastoral Zone.

“The session has been very fruitful. I have been touched by the emphasis on working collaboratively with priests.” – Jimmy Mwakafwila, Chairperson of Ngerenge Pastoral Zone.

“I have been touched by the importance of being the light of the world and salt of the world. I have been empowered to evangelise.” – Joseph Fiacara Mwenebabu, Secretary of St. Francis Fraternity

“As a leader of the youths in our parish, I have been empowered to evangelise among the youths.” – Enock Mwambeye, Representing the Youths

“I am a leader, but there were so many things I did not know about our great Church. This session will help to be a better leader.” – Patrick Soko, Vice Chairperson of the Parish Pastoral Council

“We have been working without terms of reference, but through this session we now have them, this gives us confidence.” – Gervazio Mwamulima, Treasurer of the Parish Pastoral Council

See more photos from St. Steven’s below:

St. Mary’s Training Session

From January 15th to 18th St. Mary’s Parish hosted a training session for members of the Parish Pastoral Council to help strengthen the capacity of pastoral agents in order to have efficient and effective collaboration in their pastoral activities. All 30 members of their Parish Pastoral Council were in attendance! The Parish Pastoral Council was created because of the lack of priests in the Diocese of Karonga per parish.

Many parishes in the area expand into out-stations, St. Mary’s is divided into 16 out-stations over mountainous terrain. It is difficult for the priests to visit each church on a weekly basis. The Parish Pastoral Council is a collaboration between the laity and the priests to prepare members of the church for the sacraments and enable the laity to celebrate the Mass through communion services. The skills gained in the training sessions has enabled members of St. Mary’s to evangelize and teach the faith with confidence.

What Do Participants of St. Mary’s Say?

“I kept smiling during the session because the lessons are very impressive. I have learnt about the importance of prayer life as a leader. These sessions should continue.” – Denis Mwamulima, Vice Secretary of St. Anne’s Parish Pastoral Council.

“I have realised that there were so many things I did wrongly, this session has indeed being an eye opener. I will do things better now.” – Silvester Mwenelupembe, Assistant Catechist

“This session is good. Now I know my terms of reference as a lay leader.” – Christina Winga, Treasurer of Lughali Pastoral Zone

“We were leaders without knowing what to do. It would be very important if this happened often times, and should be extended to all pastoral zonal leaders.” – Michael Mwalwanda, Chairperson of Lughali Pastoral Zone

“I feel empowered to evangelise.” – Martha Mwenegamba, Treasurer of Nchowo Pastoral Zone

See more photos from St. Mary’s Below:

St. Francis Shrine – Diocesan Laity Council Training Session

The training for the Diocesan Laity Council took place from April 4th to 8th, 2016 at St. Francis Shrine at Kaseye in St. Michael’s Parish. At the end of the training session, elections were conducted, and 10 members were elected into different positions. The training had 20 participants to teach them how to advise the local ordinary on pastoral issues concerning the laity. Training sessions were held on the organizational structure of the Church, Christian leadership skills, collaborative ministry, communication skills, rights and obligations of the laity, sacraments, and the liturgy. The Diocesan Laity Council helps to ensure active and effective participation of the laity within the Church at the diocesan level.

Summer 2019 – 288 more evangelizers set to receive training

Thanks to the generosity of a donor like you, 288 more pastoral agents will receive training at St. Mary’s parish. What an incredible gift to know that thousands more souls will hear the Good News of Christ because of the “yes” of donors like you and the “yes” of the soon-to-be-trained evangelizers!

Keep scrolling to see photos of the new church building St. Mary’s was able to dedicate…

Summer 2018 – St. Mary’s experiences the fruits of your generosity years later

Last summer, our friends at St. Mary’s dedicated a brand new church building! This is the same group of people you helped train as pastoral agents a few years ago. Isn’t it wonderful to see the fruits of your generosity expand and grow, years and years later? The Holy Spirit is truly alive and active at St. Mary’s in Malawi!

Check out the photos of their recent celebration:

We Need Your Help

The main objective of this project is to strengthen the capacity of the pastoral agents in order to have efficient and effective collaboration in their pastoral activities. The Diocese of Karonga needs continued help in training lay people to be evangelizers for their faith. The mission allows the laity to carry on faith formation to prepare people for the sacraments, and the ability to live out their faith against the widespread beliefs of witchcraft, polygamy, and dignity of life.

You can help change their culture today to celebrate life, and the love of Jesus Christ through the support of this mission. The resources needed are very costly, and to have the laity stay at the church for a number of days means time away from work. This mission has been designed to train the new leaders so that they acquire technical, human, and conceptual skills in Christian leadership and knowledge in the Catholic faith to carry out the love of Jesus to all they encounter.

Will you be a light in Central Africa today?

“Dear Young People… Do not be afraid to go and to bring Christ into every area of life, to the fringes of society, even to those who seem farthest away, most indifferent. The Church needs you, your enthusiasm, your creativity and the joy that is so characteristic of you.”

– Pope Francis, 28th World Youth Day, Waterfront of Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro
Sunday, 28 July 2013

Archdiocese of Blantyre

Local Youth – Faith Leadership Training Program

About Young People The Program Testimonies How You Can Help

Their Story

Catholic Archbishop with Young People in Malawi

The Church in Malawi is Alive!

The Archdiocese of Blantyre is planning to empower young adults to embrace their faith! Many young people in the archdiocese are enthusiastic to serve, but good will and enthusiasm are not enough to catechize everyone. The Archdiocese of Blantyre is ready to equip young people by investing the time and energy into training them in the faith. Young people are our most valuable asset to the Catholic Church and its future. Your financial investment in the future of the Church ensures a holier future.

“Dear young people, the Church expects great things of you and your generosity. Don’t be afraid to aim high.”

– Pope Francis, May 23, 2013

Catholic Archbishop talking with Malawi Youth

Young People

Reverend Father Frank Mwinganyama is the Youth Chaplin for the Archdiocese of Blantyre. He offers pastoral care to the youth in Blantyre’s eight deaneries, secondary schools, colleges, and to young people in the diocese. In the archdiocese alone there are approximately one and a half million practicing Catholics; half of whom are young people! Fr. Frank feels called to involve the young people in the church after hearing the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) Assembly of Bishops share that the youth are the “hope and gift of the Church.” Fr. Frank agreed, “They are indeed the potential of not only the Church, but also society at large.”

The Archdiocese of Blantyre is hoping to train over 390 young people ages 18-30 to become dynamic leaders in the Church. The Archbishop Thomas Luke Msusa shares,

“I wish to stress that indeed the youth in Malawi do make up nearly half of the general population and they are the majority in most of our Christian Churches today. Holistic development of the Church will only come about if we give the youth of the Church holistic training and formation. This is the very reason I support this noble project.”

For young people to be successful leaders in the church it is essential that they receive training and formation to deal with their current challenges and the challenges of the culture they live in. This is one of the first times the Catholic Church in Malawi will target young people, “So that they are well informed and prepared to challenge (these) negative forces in society.” Fr. Frank shares that formation after young people receive the Sacrament of Confirmation is always done haphazardly. It is essential that our young people of the Church receive proper training, as they do not have the experience to form and challenge their conscience fully. Fr. Frank hopes that this training will bring up honest and truthful service to the Church amidst many challenges this age-group faces.

The Training Program

The program in the Archdiocese of Blantyre, Malawi will allow young people between 18 and 30 to learn their faith, study the catechism, and become leaders in the Church. The program will focus on three major topics: Know Your Bible, Know Your Church, and Leadership in the Church. The goal of the program is to give young people proper training to have basic knowledge of the Bible and the structure of both the local and universal Church, as well as general leadership skills. They will also be briefed on the Year of Mercy, and practical steps for implementing Pope Francis’ encyclical – ‘Laudato Si’ – on care of the environment.

Leadership training for the youth in the Archdiocese of Blantyre will be an investment that will benefit the Church in Blantyre in many ways. Some of the expected fruits of this leadership training are:

This will set the pace for leadership in the Church, rooted in the Bible.
Active involvement of the young people in Church affairs.
Trained young people will be informed evangelizers to fellow youth.
Our young people will discover their sense of belonging in the Church!
This will be the first stage in the formation of servant leaders for both church and society in Baltyre, Malawi.
Trained youth will have a deeper knowledge of Scripture and Church structure.

Flora Katsabola

Flora comes from a very devout Catholic family in the Zomba district. She is an exceptionally dedicated young woman who has fought hard to be where she is now. Flora represents the Young Christian Workers in Malawi. She is a representative at the regional Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) meetings in Lusaka Zambia. She is currently serving as Secretary of Young Christian Workers in Blantyre.

“We appreciate this program of training youth leaders. In fact, it should have been part of our on-going formation in Christian faith. We are aware there is a lot we need to know about our faith. In this training, the youth have deepened [their] knowledge of the Bible, Church doctrine, and acquired necessary leadership skills. Thumbs up our leaders and donors (Catholic World Mission) for this program.”

Cathy Maseko

Cathy comes from the remotest parish of the Archdiocese of Blantyre. To attend the leadership training in Limbe, Deanery she had to travel all the way from her rural parish by local bus – 80 miles away! Cathy was adamant about coming to bridge the gap between the Church and young people. She serves as the Deanery Secretary.

“I feel Youth formation should be on-going. As the youth are gradually taking up responsibilities in the Church they need to be equipped with the necessary knowledge. This is why I had to come all the way from Neno Parish to benefit from this leadership training. It was very fruitful.”

The Need

The community has come forward to invest in what they can in their young people, but your generous support is still needed for the success of the Church in Africa! For this mission to be a success, the Church in Malawi needs funds to cover training materials for young people, funds to transport facilitators to the deaneries hosting the training, and to provide a meal for the participants who are becoming servant leaders for the Church! With a generous gift of $838 you can sponsor one entire training session and make a substantial investment in the future of the Church.

Won’t you help ignite the Holy Spirit in young people today?

Local Youth – Career Clinics Program

About Career Clinics Program Youth Testimonies Career Role Model Testimonies Updates How You Can Help

Their Story

Malawi Career Clinic Funded By Catholic World Mission

Father Frank Mwinganyama is the Youth Chaplin for the Archdiocese of Blantyre. He offers pastoral care to the youth in Blantyre’s eight deaneries, secondary schools, colleges, and to young people in the diocese. In the archdiocese alone there are approximately one and a half million practicing Catholics; half of whom are young people!

Fr. Frank developed a program inviting the young people to come and learn and grow as leaders in our Catholic faith. Recently, while hosting a Youth Rally in one of the remotest regions of the Archdiocese, Fr. Frank witnessed another great need amongst the young people.

Many young people in the remote regions do not have access or the ability to attend higher education. Many fall into early marriage per the culture, and not knowing they have greater options for their future. With lack of education these early marriages either end or the couple lives in continuous poverty just like their parents and generations before them.

Fr. Frank has a plan! Mentorship Clinics and Career Sessions. Click here to read more.

Planting Trees with Catholic Career Clinic in Malawi

The young people of the Archdiocese of Blantyre are facing a huge struggle. Many in the remotest regions of the archdiocese lack the knowledge or ability for higher education. Therefore, many fall into early marriages and with lack of education live within the continuous poverty of their region.

Fr. Frank Mwinganyama, the Youth Chaplin for the Archdiocese of Blantyre, has a plan – Career Motivation Clinics.

Through this program we will empower the youth to resist the negative peer pressure to go with the cultural norm, and instead through mentorship clinics and career sessions learn about the many possibilities they can aspire to achieve to break the cycle of poverty in their region.

Through this program the youth will have access to mentorship from “Role Models” in different career fields who will bring awareness of possible career paths and continuous mentorship and guidance along their journey. The youth will be introduced to many vocational skills

Catholic Archbishop at Career Clinic in Malawi

Student at Youth Career Clinic in Malawi

Mphatso (Gift in English)

Mphatso is a 17 year old girl from Chiringa Parish in Phalombe Deanery. She comes from a family of 5, depending on subsistence farming. Her older siblings have not made it big in education and got married early to an equally poor farmer, just like many other young girls in their village. She goes to a nearby Community Day School. She desires to bring change to her family by becoming a nurse despite her current challenges like poverty and lack of role models in her community. She got this motivation when we interacted with her on our visit there. She hopes the Mentorship Clinics and Career Sessions can open her eyes to a world of possibilities and empower her as a girl.

Carol Gwaza

Carol has been an active youth at church since her completion of secondary education. She has tasted both rural and urban life. She harbored so many ambitions as a young girl. However, her parents did not have money to send her to college. She almost gave up on her ambitions, and nearly joined those who jump into early marriages.

She found hope in small programs organized by the Youth Apostolate of the Archdiocese. She was part of leadership training, entrepreneurship camp and regular Mentorship Clinics and Career Sessions. She then learnt tailoring and design, then managed to get a tailoring machine for herself. As of now she does her own dresses and even others for a fee. All this started with mentorship sessions. She is currently learning plumbing with other youths.

“I am now highly motivated that I want to learn many skills for survival. Otherwise I would have been in unhappy early marriage by now.”

Student at Career Clinic in Malawi funded by Catholic World Mission

Dr. Richard Kamwezi

Dr. Richard is a young medical doctor, who has an interest in motivating fellow young people. Richard wanted to do Information Technology after Secondary School, but after some career guidance he learnt that he would do well in medicine. Richard likes to motivate young people in areas of having focus and hard work. He volunteers to accompany the Youth Chaplain on many visits to the youth in secondary schools and rural parishes. His aim is to give hope to the youth, especially those who can easily give up because of their poor background.

Anna Chinseu

Anna is young graduate in Business Communication. She has an exceptional love for fellow youths who lack opportunities in life. Anna is even ready to make small sacrifices to travel to give motivation talks. She is a perfect model for rural girls.

“This is my own way of giving back to the Church, having benefited from her programs and education. I went to a Catholic Girls Secondary School where discipline and hard work were instilled in us. I know my friends did not have this opportunity. They can do better and reduce their poverty.”

Malawi Career Clinic Graduates in Malawi

Summer 2020

Fr. Frank has continued his tireless work to help impoverished teens in his region, even in the face of COVID-19-related obstacles. Malawi has experienced several lockdowns because of the virus. As restrictions lifted, Fr. Frank organized workshops at different parishes throughout his diocese. These workshops have given young people opportunities they wouldn’t have had otherwise, like:

The chance to meet a lawyer and hear about his career. Some of the students got to try on his wig and barrister’s robes, and now they hope to become lawyers when they grow up!
A workshop on hard work, ambition, and resilience
The opportunity to learn how to start a small business; this was especially helpful for young people who won’t be able to go to college
Career workshops in Nursing, Teaching, Carpentry, and Medicine

Youth Mentorship at Malawi Career Clinic

The teens have also had opportunities in faith formation. They’ve heard from priests and religious, and had opportunities to pray together and learn how to live their faith in their daily lives.

Fr. Frank tells us, “The enthusiasm of the youth was shown by their participation. We had 100% turn up. Their participation was great. They had questions and stories to tell. ‘I have had an ambition to become a nurse but I felt very limited in many ways. Now I feel encouraged,’ said one girl who despite her age was still in secondary school.”

Lawyer helped by the career guidance program

April 2020

Praise God one training session was held! The fruits of this project are beginning to flourish.

Sadly, due to COVID-19 the schools are closed and the gathering limit of no more than 50 has been implemented in Malawi. Therefore, the career clinics have been put on hold. Please pray for these students and all those impacted by COVID-19.

The Need

Thanks to a very generous donor this program can now begin.

However, we still need your help. Join us today in supporting this growing program to empower the youth out of generational poverty, and give them avenues to higher career goals and achievements.

Catholic Missions Work in Malawi

Jump to Project or Update:

Diocese of Karonga

Training Pastoral Agents

The Mission of Karonga

Pastoral Laity

St. Ignatius of Loyola Training Session

What Do the Participants from St. Matthias say?

See more photos from St. Matthias below:

St. Michael’s Training Session

What Do Participants from St. Michael Say?

See more photos from the training session at St. Michael’s below:

St. Joseph the Worker Training Session

What Do the Participants from St. Joseph the Worker Say?

See more photos from St. Joseph the Worker below:

Training Pastoral Agents (Continued)

What Do the Participants from St. Anne’s Say?

See more photos from St. Anne below:

St. Steven’s Training Session

What Do the Participants from St. Steven Say?

See more photos from St. Steven’s below:

St. Mary’s Training Session

What Do Participants of St. Mary’s Say?

See more photos from St. Mary’s Below:

St. Francis Shrine – Diocesan Laity Council Training Session

Summer 2019 – 288 more evangelizers set to receive training

Summer 2018 – St. Mary’s experiences the fruits of your generosity years later

We Need Your Help

“Dear Young People… Do not be afraid to go and to bring Christ into every area of life, to the fringes of society, even to those who seem farthest away, most indifferent. The Church needs you, your enthusiasm, your creativity and the joy that is so characteristic of you.”

– Pope Francis, 28th World Youth Day, Waterfront of Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro Sunday, 28 July 2013

Archdiocese of Blantyre

Local Youth – Faith Leadership Training Program

Their Story

The Church in Malawi is Alive!

Young People

The Training Program

Flora Katsabola

Cathy Maseko

The Need

Won’t you help ignite the Holy Spirit in young people today?

Local Youth – Career Clinics Program

Their Story

Mphatso (Gift in English)

Carol Gwaza

Dr. Richard Kamwezi

Anna Chinseu

Summer 2020

April 2020

The Need

Thanks to a very generous donor this program can now begin.

Won’t you help empower the youth of Malawi out of generational poverty today?

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– Pope Francis, 28th World Youth Day, Waterfront of Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro
Sunday, 28 July 2013