TAILORING SCHOOL STUDENTS GRADUATE IN MZUZU

Inside a new church building, ten Tailoring school students graduate with sewing skills in Mzuzu.

The united Methodist church in Mzuzu hosted the 8^th graduation ceremony where ten women graduated from the Hope tailoring school. The sewing school which started in 2006 equips women with such skills so that they can financially support their families. Most of these women are illiterate and semi illiterate. Ankeny First United Methodist Church (FUMC) graced the ceremony

Robin White who was the guest of honour at the ceremony encouraged graduates to envision their future to become productive leaders in the church and the community they live in. “It is a call from God to serve in his vineyard and the talent you have should be used in His call to serve others”  said Robin. She continued to say all these talents together forms one Body of Christ.

Dennis white also encouraged the graduates to work very hard. ‘You should have faith that God will open doors as you work hard to achieve more from your tailoring skills’ said Dennis. He was speaking as leader of delegation for Ankeny First United Methodist Church.

In his appreciatory speech the class of 2014 representative Rose Mphande said she and the rest of the class were delighted to graduate after a year of learning. “We worked hard for the whole year. We thank our instructor Zione Nkhoma, the hope school Coordinator Alice Mutandwa Mkandawire and the Director Reverend Copeland Nkhata for working very hard to groom us” said Rose.

Director of the school Rev. Nkhata said he was delighted to see these women graduate. “Let me thank all our partners who stood with us for the whole year. They invested both financial and spiritual support to make the dream a reality” said Nkhata. He said currently there are 15 students who have enrolled for this year’s tailoring school which is an increase from 10 who enrolled last year.

From the women’s department, Rachel Ngwangwa who represented the Womens Coordinator said their office is very happy to see the women being empowered with the art of tailoring. “our office is committed to empower women and it is with great joy to see the women graduate” said Ngwangwa. She congratulated the graduates for achieving this level of success.

During the ceremony, six graduates received a sewing machine each. Veronica Mbale received her Machine with tears, crying “thank you Jesus! Thank you Jesus!”. She said the machine will assist her to financially support her family.

Each graduate was given a certificate designed by Ankeny FUMC.  Rev. Nkhata and Alice Mkandawire also received certificates of appreciation for the hard work they invested in the Hope Tailoring School.

After the ceremony the church provided lunch for graduates, visitors from Ankeny FUMC and church leaders who were present at the ceremony.

Noel Kumwenda, MUMC Communicator, Mzuzu.

NEW HOPE FOR HOPE TAILORING SCHOOL STUDENTS

Hope tailoring school students in Mzuzu continue to enjoy favours from God as they shape their skills for the economic betterment of the community and the church.

As they were going on Holiday, the hope tailoring school students created very beautiful dresses and children's dresses as part of their examinations. This crop of ten women have been in class for six months and are already creating very good dresses that if sold would earn them a considerable income that would support their families.

In an interview, Zione Nkhoma the instructor of the school said this class is learning very fast. "They are able to make such good dresses in a short time. They are obedient and fast learners" said Nkhoma.

Reverend Copeland Nkhata was full of praise to God saying the school is impacting positively to the economic status of many families. "The school will raise many economic players in the church and the whole community because those who attend the school are not only getting tailoring skills but also learning to pray to God for a miracle" Said Rev Nkhata

 

Pictures By Noel Kumwenda

From left Fortune Nuka, Rev. Copeland Nkhata and Loyce Kamanga

GLOBAL AIDS FUND MAKES A DIFFERENCE IN MZUZU

Mzuzu United Methodist church is a rare beneficiary of this fund through the collaborative efforts and intermediary services of Rev Prof. Michael Christensen who also serves as Founding President of World Hope Corps.

The relationship between Mzuzu UMC and Dr. Christensen of Drew University in New Jersey started in 2005. Through this bond many lives in Mzuzu have been blessed. The relationship has given birth to a tripartite programme known as Hope Scholarship, Hope Homes Nutrition and Hope tailoring School. Making a difference is a key point and a centre piece of developmental efforts and the subsequent are some of the summarised achievements.

1.       HOPE SCHOLARSHIP

This wing of the programme has seen over 40 students being supported with scholarships either to go through High school or college education. Many orphans and vulnerable young boys and girls have risen from a situation of helplessness and hopeless to Living Hope and Success. For instance

a.      Jonathan Jere

Having done financial accounting, he is now well employed with Nation Publications Limited. He is now living a financially independent life and also able to support his young brother at school. He also provide for his parents at Home.

b.      Isabel Nkhata

Having done Marketing and Financial Accounting (Diploma) is now working for a financial institution called SACCO. Financially viable Isabel supports her siblings and parents.

c.       Ellen Mhone

Having accomplished a Diploma in Marketing and Business Management she lays on a bed of roses while working for the largest mobile phone service providers in Malawi called Telecom Networks Malawi (TNM) as a company cashier. You may not believe that in a space of two years, her monthly wages have risen toMWK100,000.00 equivalent to US$600.00. Within the two years, she has helped her jobless parents to build a house of their own. She has put her own daughter at a very good private secondary school which will obviously replicate her educational blessings.

d.      Mababazo Jere

He fulfilled his professional dream with a Diploma in International Banking and now works for the First Merchant Bank in Malawi.

There is a lot more that we can write about but all in all, the global AIDS fund has accomplished an awesome and incomparable volume of worth and education is an outstanding approach to empowerment. Its tools are so sure and firm that loss of it is next to impossible.

2.       HOPE TAILORING SCHOOL.

This wing provides skills and dexterity to illiterate and semi-illiterate women translating them into active economic players as they apply their skills in a business venture. The school has now entered its fourth year having graduated three groups already. Some of the graduates have now bought their own machines while others have borrowed from idle owners. To be brief feast your eyes on the subsequent data.

a.      Linda Nyirenda

Within a week of her graduation, her husband bought her a sewing machine and she is now into business of making dresses and sundry creations. She is now able to send her only son to a private kindergarten and feeds the family on some of the proceeds from the business.

b.      Hannah Makala

She bought a second hand machine. She makes school uniforms for sale and sometimes she provides school uniform to orphans and vulnerable community in her community.

In a nut shell, you may wish to know that the Hope Tailoring School makes children’s dresses, boys’ shirts, tote bags and duvets which are sometimes sold away or given to orphans and vulnerable children. The year 2011 has seen the school making sales beyond US$700.00 which has gone a long way to support a number of activities in Mzuzu Circuit.

3.       HOPE HOMES NUTRITION

For a space of four years orphans and vulnerable children have been spared from starvation, chilly weather, nakedness and shame as food was provided, dresses and school uniform been given to them besides blankets and shoes.

In no way can eyes fell to see and hearts fail to perceive the awesome works of God under the warm umbrella of the Mzuzu UMC. God in his own inscrutable ways has touched lives to make a difference within and without the human soul which inevitably courts the human eulogy to Emmanuel when God abides among his people.

OUR OFFICIAL IDENTITY

We are the United Methodist Church registered by the Malawi Government to operate as a church in Malawi.