Category: Centre for Social Concern

Launching of CfSC 2021 Annual Report & Opening of the late Bp. Patrick Augustine Kalilombe Library Section

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On October 22, 2022

On the 16^th of August 2022, the Centre for Social Concern (CfSC) launched its 2021 Annual Report and also the Kalilombe wing of its Library. The event which brought together the staff of CfSC, some of its beneficiaries, donors and Missionaries of Africa was also graced by dignitaries from the government, the Provincial Superior of Southern Africa Province (SAP) and many journalists. The Centre for Social Concern is remarkable for its Research-based facts, Advocacy and the Promotion of Peaceful Co-existence among People of different Faiths and Backgrounds. As a faith-based organization, the nexus between Mission and Justice and Peace, Mission and Dialogue, Mission and the Integrity of Creation, Mission and Critical Thinking, is the kernel of its functionality guided by the Social Teaching of the Church (STC). The concern and compassion for the poor and empowering them to fulfil their human dignity are at the heart of CfSC’s prophetic mission.

In his opening remarks, the Director of the Centre for Social Concern, Fr. Dr. James Ngahy highlighted some of the key achievements of the organization for the reported year 2021. The contribution of the Centre for Social Concern to the provision of quality Education as well as other critical services in both health and economic sectors through its advocacy work which has resulted in many of its beneficiaries having access to better roads, medical services and portable water among others. He also appreciated the support from various partners such as the Missionaries of Africa represented here by the Provincial (who is the Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Centre), HIVOS, UNDP/Flanders, GIZ, Misereor, Trocaire and Irish Aid.

A beneficiary of the library, speaking on behalf of her fellow students, thanked the Centre for the presence of this library in Area 25. She highlighted that the library is cost effective to them as they do not have to go to the National library in town to access books. Indeed, the library has a wide-range variety of books on different subjects for the different levels of education. Besides, they only pay Mk100.00 per day to use the facility. She also appreciated the fact that the library provides a quiet and calm environment for personal studies and group discussions.

The Provincial in his address thanked the initiators of the Centre as well as the current Director for the great work that has been realized in the past years. He also thanked all those working with the Centre both locally and internationally to achieving its objective. He emphasized that, addressing issues of social concern as the Centre does is a better of way of living the gospel values rather than simply preaching in words. The Provincial appreciated the fact that despite the challenges of Covid-19 which affected all levels of human society in the years 2020 and 2021, the Centre managed to carry out a lot of its activities. He added that as a pro-poor and faith-based organization, the Centre has the duty of responding to the needs of the poorest of the poor and ensuring that every person has access to opportunities and enjoys his or her rights responsibly.

He also applauded the effort of CfSC at empowering the human society through its library, saying ‘if you want to kill a human society destroy education and if you want to build a human society improve on education.’ He also appreciated the introduction of the computer laboratory which is meant to empower the youth in this digital world.

During the launch of the 2021 Annual Report, the guest of honour, Mr. Misheck Munthali, the Director of Teacher Education and Development (DTED) from the Ministry of Education, commended the great work that CfSC does in the field of education.

Appreciating the gift and works of the late Bishop Patrick Augustine Kalilombe, the guest of honour affirmed that ‘when you do activities of that nature, you continue to live on beyond your actually ordained life on earth’. He added that “libraries are a critical resource in bringing enlightenment to communities”. He appreciated the fact the Late Bishop Kalilombe has not only left us his books and writings (physical library), but he has also left us the witness of his life (human library). He posed these questions: “What kind of book are you? What kind of chapters do people read when they see you?” He also encouraged the beneficiaries to use the library responsibly and desist from irresponsible use of the library such as tearing pages of books.

The guest of honour also appreciated the critical pillars of the Centre such as Social Justice and Peaceful Co-existence, highlighting how critical these pillars for are our country’s future. He also challenged the Centre to work at ensuring that CfSC library becomes digital so that students can access other E-Libraries through the internet. He promised to help link CfSC to the right people within the ministry of education to make e-learning and distance learning at CfSC a reality.

During the final remarks, the former director of CfSC Fr. Jos Kuppens remarked that the day’s event is an example of real partnership and all present are “partners in development”. Emphasizing on the importance of real partnership as exemplified in the presence of different actors from the Civil Society, the Church, the Government, and donors, he affirmed that “when we do networking properly, we can achieve a lot of things”. He also appreciated the last remarks from the guest of honour about e-connection as it has also been his interest for a long-time even to introduce e-readers. He also appreciated the fact that his successor has brought the torch to a higher position so that it can show more light.

After the closing remarks, the guest of honour and the Provincial cut the ribbon to launch of the Kalilombe wing of the library, after which those present appreciated the variety of resources in this new section of the library. Both the old main section of the library and the computer laboratory were also toured.

The ceremony was a moment of looking back and appreciating the achievements of the Centre in the past years as well as showing gratitude to all its staff, partners and donors. It also brought new ideas on how to help the Centre to reach a higher pedestal in the future.

By Bro. Vitus Danaa Abobo (M.Afr)

Labour Day Celebration at CfSC

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On August 2, 2021

In Centre for Social Concern

On the 6^th of May 2021, the Staff members of the Centre for Social Concern (CfSC) were honoured with the presence of the Minister of Civic Education and National Unity, Honourable Timothy Pagonachi Simbega Mtambo, as they were celebrating Workers’ Day.

The event which brought together not only the workers of the Centre, but also representatives of the Board of Trustees, Missionaries of Africa Parishes and Institutions in Malawi, was held in the premises of CfSC in Area 25, Lilongwe.

After the opening prayer by Rev. Bro. Vitus Danaa Abobo (M.Afr), the MC, Mr. Tobias Jere, welcomed all the guests to the Centre, followed by a self-introduction during which each person shared what work he or she loves doing. Remarkably, most of those present love farming and rearing of animals.

During his opening remarks, the Executive Director, Rev. Fr. Dr. James Ngahy (M.Afr), emphasized that ‘May Day’ or Labour Day “is a celebration of labourers and the working classes which is promoted by the International Labour Movement which occurs every year on the first of May”.

He gave a historical overview of labour day, recounting that it is an ancient European spring festival. He emphasized on the importance of valuing our labour, describing how countries like Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore and Switzerland pulled up their socks after World War II, and hence, moved from ‘rags to riches’.

He lamented that ‘while most of these countries have excelled, we in the third world countries or South-pole are still complaining and lamenting of colonial exploitation’. “The ‘Dependency syndrome’ is still on our shoulders!”, the Executive Director added.

Besides, he also lamented that many African countries, even some churches and organizations such as CfSC are still at a ‘baby seater level’, though grown-up but not yet grown.

He believes that ‘we need to work hard and creatively if we are to liberate ourselves from the chains of dependency. He added that, when we continue blaming the government for not doing its best and yet we ourselves do less than the minimum at our end, it contradicts the principles of social justice, distributive justice as well as commutative justice.

He challenged all those present to re-look at themselves inside-out and not outside-in. He questioned, “When we hammer the issues of ‘Transparency and accountability’ outside there, how do we live them ourselves from the grass-root level? How do we react when we are challenged ourselves on the same? Are we able to bring these values or aspects and internalize them in our own Families, in our own Communities, in our own Parishes, in our own Organisations or even in our Media profession?”

The Minister of Civic Education and National Unity, who was also the guest of honour, Honorable Timothy Mtambo during his presentation appreciated the great work that the Centre for Social Concern (CfSC) has done and continue to do here in Malawi. He expressed his joy of being part of this great family, adding that “I love everything this family does for the society in Malawi.”

The Minister highlighted the importance of labour in any economy saying, “A country, a community, a society cannot progress without a strong labour force.” He underscored the intrinsic value inherent in every human being saying ‘all of us are born with an inherent value, which is being human. Hence, no one is more important than the other.’ He, however, regretted that sometimes we look down on each other. Adding that we need to apply the golden rule of ‘doing unto others what we would have them do unto us,’ in our daily lives.

He emphasised that ‘For a country like Malawi or an institution like CfSC to move forward, there is the need to appreciate each other and to realise that everyone has a role to play and everyone is important.’ To illustrate his point, the Minister alluded to Plato’s view of the society as expressed in the Republic, where the society is looked at like the human body composed of different parts (Head, Chest and stomach), with each part having a vital role to play in the overall wellbeing of the whole body. “We are interdependent of each other; we are so important in so many ways.” He added. He also challenged all employers to treat their employees with dignity.

The Minister also said that, ‘to ensure that all workers live a dignified life, the Tonse Alliance government upon assumption of office did not only increase the minimum wage from Mk35,000.00 to Mk50,000.00, it also increased the free tax-band to MK100,000.00.’ Adding that these measures are not enough, hence they will continue to work at ensuring that everyone is appreciated for the work they do.

However, the Minister regretted that sometimes we give a lot of pressure to our employers to uphold our rights, while forgetting to do our own responsibilities. He encouraged all workers to work with passion and conviction no matter the work they do, because at the end of the day they are accountable to God. Besides, it is in so doing that we can build our country, he added.

The former Executive Director, Fr. Jos Kuppens (M.Afr) during his speech thanked the Centre for organizing such an event, and also thanked everyone for gracing the occasion and making the day worthwhile. He challenged everyone to work together to build up Malawi, adding that for Malawi to move forward we all need to come on board either as individuals, institutions or government. He, however, regretted that the kind of ‘big man’ syndrome which people are used to undermines people from taking their responsibilities, since through it they shelve their responsibilities unto others. ‘If we want to make people into real patriots, we need to help them to reach the point of realizing that “we can do it” not simply as praise singers but real patriots,’ Fr. Jos Kuppens emphasised. He ended his speech by reminding all that, “A better Malawi is possible but it needs all of us.”

The day was indeed a very reflective and joyful one on which the Centre for Social Concern appreciated the hard work and dedication of all its staff, which enables CfSC to continue impacting the lives of the poor and less privileged in the Malawian society.

By: Vitus Danaa Abobo (M.Afr)