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.
